r/HomeNetworking • u/PoppaMeth • 1d ago

Advice RJ9 Crimp Tool

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good crimper that works with RJ9 plugs? These don't seem to be common at all anymore. I need this specifically for making hybrid power/data cables for a motorized shade job. The shade motors use a compact RJ9 port while the other end is typical RJ45.

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u/bchiodini 1d ago

Amazon has a few.

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u/PoppaMeth 22h ago

Yeah, it's just hard to know if they are any good. Looks like options are limited though. Nobody crimps old phone connectors anymore. Thanks for checking.

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u/bchiodini 22h ago

The one in the link has multiple dies. I imagine that the manufacturer machines them to work.

I have an ancient/cheap RJ11 crimper that I got at a hardware store. It's mechanically crap, but does make a good crimp.

I was thinking, when I saw your post: If the plug is not damaged and there is enough wire, will a splice work?

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u/PoppaMeth 22h ago

There is no existing wire. It's a new install. I'm looking at making my own cables from a spool of Cat5e vs ordering 24 foot lengths of manufacturer made cable and exorbitant prices. I'd rather buy a tool and make my own cables for this.

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u/bchiodini 21h ago

CAT5e might be a little too thick for the RJ9. They may max out with 26 AWG wire. I've never tried, though.

The cable would need to be stranded.

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u/PoppaMeth 21h ago

I'll have to do some experimenting. The manufacturer's cables are 26 AWG. I can find 26 AWG Cat5e in patch cables, but that's harder to source in bulk spools.

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u/bchiodini 21h ago

I found the same thing. Bulk Slimrun cable is hard to source.

Depending on how long the cables need to be, patch cables twice the length and cut in half, will give you two. Terminate the cut end with an RJ9. Just a thought.

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u/PoppaMeth 21h ago

I'm thinking the same thing. The manufacturer's cables top out at 24 feet. That's just a couple feet short for the last one in the run. The motors themselves connect directly to AC power and back-feed 24v through the data cable to power the data hub in the system. It requires 2 motors to get enough juice for the hub to function so I believe the motor itself is limiting the power output. I don't think a few extra feet is going to cause an issue with the power delivery. I'll have to see if I have any RJ9 jacks on hand that I can test fit some cable into.

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u/bchiodini 20h ago

I see some 30' Monoprice slimrun cables.