Record EPS shifters on Chorus EPS interface

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

I know it's not possible, or not supposed to be, but hear me out please ...

Since the signals between shifters and interface are analogue only, this strikes me as the only place where a conversion might be possible, even - relatively - easy.

The shifters, along with the mod buttons, are nothing but on/off switches - voltage comes from the interface, so the shifters should be completely interface-agnostic (different connectors not withstanding), no?

I.e. grab an old (possibly defunct) v1 Record interface, open it up and remove the shifter cables from it. Get a v2 Chorus interface (can be had cheap), open it, remove the shifter cables also, and replace them with the shifter cables taken from the Record interface.

Only difficulty would be to make sure to get the pin layout correct.

Wildly outlandish idea? Would be a pretty neat way to get Campag's new hydraulic disc brakes working with an existing Chorus EPS v2 setup.
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

User avatar
GorrGrimWolf
Posts: 136
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 6:26 pm

by GorrGrimWolf

I spoke recently with Campagnolo ASC and when we discussed my EPS V2 and using V3 battery with V2 interface, they mentioned it is no go. But one option is to use Chorus V2 PU and solder the Record/SR connectors to it. They told they have already done it...

So basically the only problem of Athena/Chorus vs Record/SR incompatibility is the different connectors. The signal is the same and the Record shifters should work with Chorus interface as long as the connectors are the same. But take it with pinch of salt...

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
Miller
Posts: 2762
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:54 pm
Location: Reading, UK

by Miller

It was mentioned on here sometime not long ago that the only difference between Chorus and Record EPS connectors is physical - the signalling is the same.

I wish they'd unify the connector type tbh. Seems nuts to have two styles.

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

GorrGrimWolf wrote:EPS V2 and using V3 battery with V2 interface, they mentioned it is no go.

Obviously, because you'd have no way to charge the battery without a charging port. :D

GorrGrimWolf wrote:But one option is to use Chorus V2 PU and solder the Record/SR connectors to it. They told they have already done it...

So basically the only problem of Athena/Chorus vs Record/SR incompatibility is the different connectors. The signal is the same and the Record shifters should work with Chorus interface as long as the connectors are the same. But take it with pinch of salt...


Do you think the circuit board in the interface has something printed on it that identifies which wire is which?

I guess I'll just have to grab the two interfaces and have a look inside ...
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

User avatar
Miller
Posts: 2762
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:54 pm
Location: Reading, UK

by Miller

The individual wires inside the outer black EPS cable casing, are they colour coded or anonymous?

androidavies
Posts: 74
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:34 pm

by androidavies

2 or 3 years ago I spliced a cut Record EPS cable back together, I can't remember how many wires there were. (5?), but they were definitely colour coded, which was the only reason I decided to take it on, it was easier than dismantling the front end on a TT bike. Thankfully it was a success…..

User avatar
Miller
Posts: 2762
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:54 pm
Location: Reading, UK

by Miller

With a bit of luck, the wires inside a Chorus/Athena cable would be colour coded the same way so the splice could be done... which would imply the possibility of Record shifters/interface with Chorus battery and mechs, and the reverse. Or is that wishful thinking?

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

I'm going to find out. Got a few spare Chorus v2 interfaces here, and an obsolete v1 Record interface on the way now. Going to crack open the latter first, see what's what, then attempt transplanting its shifter wires onto one of the Chorus interfaces. If all of that goes smoothly and someone can confirm that there are post mount calipers that work with Campag's DB ergos, I'll set up my Mason with it.

androidavies, your comment makes me hopeful that I wouldn't even need to open up the Chorus interface. :beerchug:
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

User avatar
Miller
Posts: 2762
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:54 pm
Location: Reading, UK

by Miller

Keep us posted!

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

So today I disembowelled two EPS interfaces for science!

One Athena v1 (on the left), and one Record v1 (on the right).

As you can see from the pictures, the wiring is exactly the same, even down to the colour coding.

There are some small differences on the back of the boards. I'm not sure what that means exactly.
Attachments
eps-interface-entrails-small.jpg
eps-interface-naked-back-small.jpg
Last edited by userfriendly on Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

kulivontot
Posts: 1163
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 7:28 pm

by kulivontot

That wiring is ugly. Looks like a middle schooler designed that board

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

Is it, aye?

How about you stick to the topic if you comment on a thread?
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

kulivontot
Posts: 1163
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 7:28 pm

by kulivontot

Tl;dr
The boards are the same. Doesn't mean the software is the same.
What exactly are you trying to do?

User avatar
userfriendly
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Kingdom of Fife, Scotland

by userfriendly

Update 2:

The interface casings are glued closed, so opening one is definitely a destructive process. That means I'm going to be splicing cables anyway, so I might as well make a few adapters that then can be used at both the shifter and the derailleur end of things (whether going from Chorus to Record or the other way round).

So for the purpose of making those adapters I've ordered 2 sets of extension cables, to have male and female connectors for both Chorus and Record. I've got a few full groupsets spare, so I can test them without buying Record parts straight away (by simply inserting two adapters in series).

Record connector tool is on its way too.
Cinelli Saetta 6.5kg - nice and dry weather
Reilly T325 7.3kg - nice weather but windy
Spa Audax 9.1kg - all weather steel beauty
Pinnacle Dolomite 7.9kg - flat-pedal chainguard thing
M∆SON Definition 8.5kg - off-road ... thing

roadhog44
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:56 pm

by roadhog44

Good work so far...I'm interested how this ends up! :thumbup:

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply