From 2c450492e3193eacca171ac82e6f095a97e331dc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: redfast00 Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2020 00:55:41 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Update on wireguide --- misc/wireguide/README.md | 22 +++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 21 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/misc/wireguide/README.md b/misc/wireguide/README.md index af09a69..b81e461 100644 --- a/misc/wireguide/README.md +++ b/misc/wireguide/README.md @@ -1,3 +1,23 @@ # Wireguide -This is a parametric model of a tool to put the individual wires of an ethernet-cable in the correct position to easily attach an IDC-connector (vampire tap) +The original plan of connecting the CAN-modules was to use an ethernet cable: +we would strip the outer layer of the cable where we want to connect a module, +then put on an IDC connector. We would then use one twisted pair for CAN data, and +the other pairs for 12v. We wanted to use an ethernetcable because we have a lot of +spare ethernetcable that's too good to throw away, but too long to be practical. +The CAN specifications also demand a twisted cable. + +So in theory, this was a great solution. Unfortunately, theory and practice are +the same in theory, but not in pracice: connecting the IDC connectors proved to be +very time-intensive (first stripping the outer cable, then partially untwisting the strands +and putting them in the correct order) and error-prone (the slightest issue in alignment + will cause two strands to become electrically connected). + +To partially fix this, we designed a small tool that would be able to more easily keep +the strands lined up before pressing the IDC-connector together. This also proved +to be rather hard, so we gave up and just ordered some automotive twisted wire that is +made for CAN traffic. + +The term you'll need when trying to buy this twisted wire is `canbus wire`. + +`wireguide.scad` is a parametric model of a tool to put the individual wires of an ethernet-cable in the correct position to easily attach an IDC-connector (vampire tap)