serial ports

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

Hi, the old PCIII power commanders used a 9 pin serial port, not sure I have access to a PC with a 9 pin serial port.

Can you get serial--->USB adaptors, do they work with old PCIIIs?

i.e. this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-RS232-Converter-Cable/dp/B00077DJIQ

Cheers

Cunnington · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Karma :

Our commissioning engineers use serial coms to upload settings to control panel relays. They find USB converters can be hit and miss such that it was worth the grief getting laptops with serial ports last time round.

It is just a case of try it and see - for £3, its probably worth a punt.
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_Chris_ · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Apr 2011 Karma :

We use Belkin USB-2-Serial adaptors in a lot of branches for old style printers (major uk bank)

They're fine for simple communications - the power commander looks like it'd be a very simple device, so should work okay.

Part number is FU1 something - if your £3 doesn't work I'll see if there's a spare belkin one at work and post it to you
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bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Haha! A subject about which I know a great deal.

Ok, you can get USB to serial converters, however there are only two manufacturers of the chip used in such a device. One of the manufacturers converter is good, and the other is shit.

The only make that I know of which uses the OK chip is Belkin. So, if you google a Belkin USB-serial converter you probably can't go too far wrong.
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

https://www.pchardwareuk.com/belkin-usb-to-rs232-adaptor-p-26198.html
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

mistergixer · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Im-a-Ridah · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Karma :

As others have said, the USB ones are OK, but they will screw up on pretty much a daily basis. You just need to unplug them and plug them in again to fix most. Good bet for a printer, maybe not such a good idea with a nuclear power plant, crane ect. The adaptors really let down what would otherwise be quite a reliable, albeit slow, connection method.

mistergixer · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

The company I work for makes its own serial controllers for broadcast equipment. I would imagine that the interfaces involved are closer to what a Power Commander would have than a printer...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.