Extending microfilter cable

Hi

I'm using one of the Excelsus splitters with a short cable between the BT socket and microfilter. I wanted to replace this cable with a slightly longer one (2 feet max) so that I could poke it through a hole in a wall and have all my phone and ADSL stuff in another room.

The original cable is about 4 inches long, male BT to male RJ11 connector, just two wires (red and green, spaced apart in the RJ11 end).

So I took a working dial-up modem cable which already had a BT plug on the end and the same two wires, and fitted an RJ11 connector in exactly the same way.

But it just doesn't work with my modem router. Plug the old cable in again and ADSL lights come straight on.

Surely adding an extra 12 inches to the cable doesn't make that much difference? Is there something special about the cable supplied with the microfilter?

Thanks!

check the wiring of the short cable and make sure the new one is the same. Pins 2 and 5 on the BT plug connect to which two on the RJ11 in each case ?

Test continuity with an ohm meter or a battery and bulb circuit tester.

Seems a bit of a bodged way of extending the line to me. What i would suggest is to wire up an extension socket to the next room from the current socket. For the distance involved it will make sod all difference to the line - though just connect via terminals 2 and 5. Get a suitable surface mount pattress box from your local DIY store or electrical wholesaler - no need to bury it in the wall.

To make the install tidier ditch the dangly microfilter for a pre-filtered socket such as this.

Edited by deleted (Mon 23-Nov-09 12:47:23)

Microfilter cables typically use the two outer pins on the RJ11 cable for the little tail cable. A modem cable will have the center two pins connected.

A modem cable will have the center two pins connected.

I would say a modem cable may use the centre pins, but some do not.

Thanks for the advice!

I've got it working now. The wire positioning in the RJ11 connector was correct (it's the outer pins, with two empty spaces inbetween)... but my crimp tool was faulty :\ The battery and bulb test pinned it down in the end!

You're completely right - it is a bodge. I will follow your advice in due course and do it properly. Thanks!