Creating my own Pixel VM-801 and VS-802 system

[Marijn]

Hi Jeff and others,

I've been using the Pixel Componer system to connect camera and flashes for quite some time now and find it very reliable and easy to work with. I have two, and would like to buy a third one for a third trap in the making. A Canon camera with Nikon flashes, like the other two sets. However, Pixel discontinued these items and there are none left in stock wherever I look.

Then it dawned on me that these should be not too difficult to create myself. In essence, it is just another way of connecting three signals from one device (camera) to another (flash). A CAT6 cable has 8 wires in it, so only three are used (and possibly a 4th and 5th for TTL or PC-sync which I do not need). Since I stocked up on VS-802s (the receiver end for the flash), I would only need to transform a TF-321 Canon hotshoe adapter into a VM-801. I thought of removing the PC-sync socket and use the hole to let the RJ45 wire of a 3-way UTP splitter through and solder the three needed wires to the printboard of the TF-321. Three connectors at the other end for three flashes. Not that hard I would think. I have made a Canon to Nikon adapter from combined TF-321 (underside) and TF-322 (upperside) items before, to be able to use a full 802 (Nikon) set on my Canon camera.

To do it right at the camera end, obviously I first need to know which three of the eight wires are used at the VS-802 end, so I opened one. And that's when I got lost.

VS802_1.jpg

Here's the top view of the VS-802 with the three important positions marked, as they are for every Nikon hotshoe adapter.

VS802_2.jpg

And here's the view inside. Again with the three important positions marked (but upside down). But how do I find out which of the eight RJ45 connectors lead to these positions?

VS802_3.jpg

Here's the inside from the upper view, just to show that there are no clear clues on the wiring on the print board.

Does anybody know, or can anyone see from these images, which three of the connectors are used? I know I could use a voltage meter to check connections, but my meter is way too big to do this with such small connectors.

Any help is much appreciated!

Marijn Heuts
Netherlands