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[technik3k]

Reserved for V5 custom cables how-to

VEX Library

@Barin

Actually it’s explicitly declared legal in the game manual now, rule :

Custom V5 Smart Cables are allowed. Teams must use official V5 Smart Cable Stock but may use commodity 4P4C connectors and 4P4C crimping tools. Teams who create custom cables acknowledge that incorrect wiring may have undesired results.

@Barin

As someone who has been crimping Category cable since well before V5 was released, only recently did I finally have the chance to try crimping V5 cables.

What I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt is that VEX’s crimping tool, with a plastic die, is utter garbage. I had several failed crimps, causing the Brain to simply not recognize connected motors. When I did a sanity check with a crimping tool I used for actual Category cabling (with a metal die, just like every crimping tool worth anything), every single crimp worked (and yes, I used the exact same technique).

So, for all I know, the incidence of issues with custom-crimped cables but not factory-crimped cables could somehow be related to the crimping tool. Your mileage may vary, but I can confidently recommend even this $10 crimping tool over VEX’s. You can even get a whole crimping kit, complete with cable tester , for less than the price of VEX’s crimping tool (I can confirm the crimping tool in this exact kit worked perfectly on V5 cable).

TL;DR Try using a real crimping tool in the future. Testing your cables with a cable tester before use is a good idea too.

More V5 smart cable details

@OscarMNOVA12

4P4C refers to the connector, also known as RJ9,10, 22.

The cables themselves are custom specified for the load of V5 devices. A standard 4 wire flat cable with 26 awg with may work, but it won’t be ideal. And it’s ok for testing purposes but know you’re accepting responsibility for all the risks it entails.

It’s not legal for competition.

@jpearman

Aside from the rules stating that V5 smart cables must be used for competition. Not all cables are created equal, here is a comparison, I don’t have specs for either the VEX cable or the random silver 4 conductor phone cable I had, but there’s a significant difference.

@lacsap

Does anyone know what gauge wire is used in the v5 smart cables? It appears to be 24 awg from @jpearman 's picture, but I’d like to be sure…

To be clear, you may not make your own cables for competition. VEX Cable stock is labeled with V5 logo, so it can spotted during inspection.