USB to serial adapters

[troypiggo]

Just received a beautiful EM-200 Temma 2 Jr mount :D

Wanting to connect it to my notebook for astroimaging of course. Notebook doesn't have a serial port. Mount takes a PS/2 type connector, and the lead provided has a DB9 connector at the computer end.

So the immediate solution would be to get a USB serial adapter USB to DB9. There's plenty of those around, I know.

But I was thinking of "cutting out the middle man" and having a cable that went straight from USB serial adapter to the PS/2 at other end. Thoughts? Possible? Simple? Pitfalls?

Or should I just take the easy approach and get a DB9 one. There's heaps of cheapie eBay $5 ones, or there's a more expensive one from FTDI who I know are a bit better quality, but it was about $45 or something. Worth the extra?

[RickS]

Congrats on the new mount, Troy!

Building a single cable is good idea. I can give you a pinout for the DB9 to DIN plug if you don't have one already.

I think it's worth going for a decent quality USB to serial adapter. People seem to have a lot of trouble with the cheap ones.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Dennis]

Congrats on the new mount Troy, you’ll love the Polar Alignment ‘Scope!

Be careful with generic "computer" cables, as the input/output pin outs are not always the same as the Tak mounts. I once purchased a Mac serial cable (as a longer cable between the hand paddle and the mount) and when I did a wire verification test with a multi meter, not all the pins were straight through connected.

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Terry B]

Just be aware that not all USB/serial adaptors talk to tak mounts. Keyspan ones seem to be a problem.
Look here http://ccdastro.net/Temma%20Driver.pdf

[Draco]

Hi Troy

There are ps/2 to USB adapters available that you could get off dicksmith (or any other electronic shop). Just be wary that these are mostly meant for keyboards/mice and might not necessarily suit mounts (however I could be wrong).
http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XH4145/

From an electronics point of view, PS/2 connectors will have a different signalling protocol to USBs and you would need something in the middle to actively translate from to the other. Here is some general info from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_connector

I guess you wouldn't truely know until you try it out. Electronic shops like
Jaycar have these adapters for cheap http://search.jaycar.com.au/search?w=ps/2%20usb&view=list

I would suggest visiting your local jaycar and explain to them what you want to do. they will be able to give you more advice and if it doesnt work, you can ask the guy if you could bring it back for a refund (its less than $10)

Some more info about the cable for your mount is here http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1617839/page/168/view/collapsed/sb/10/o/all/fpart/1 (might be useful)

Hope this helps (I might be just giving you more garbage to cloud the day ;))

Cheers and all the best mate

[acropolite]

Aten usb adapters work well, at least for me. I seem to remember they are recommended by some equipment MFG's as well. We use the Aten adapters at work for comms with PABX's they work nicely where others didn't. From memory the Aten USB adapters cost around $30-35.

[Steffen]

The issue appears to be with the Windows driver. For Macs, on the other hand, the Keyspan adapter is most suitable and most often recommend one. The OS X driver is very stable, and the adapter also works seamlessly with VMware Fusion and Parallels.

I have not tried using a Mac with the Temma (I wish), just wanted to clarify this point for Mac users.

Cheers
Steffen.

[troypiggo]

Thanks guys.



Thanks. I realise they'll be different. The USB part of the cable I had in mind would be something like this from FTDI (http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Cables/USBRS232.htm) that has a built-in circuit that does USB to serial RS232 capability.

That CN link you posted was IIS's very own Dennis! :)

[Garbz]

That is exactly what I have spliced to a DB9 cable in my case. This seems to be a popular way to do it, just make sure you get the one with the FTDI232 chip in the USB part of the cable, not the serial part or you won't be too happy when you cut it up :lol:

[peter_4059]

Troy,

Just don't mix up USB-serial with USB-serial TTL. The EQDIR cable uses USB-serial TTL. I think you will need USB-serial for the TAK. I'm pretty sure Dontronics has an FTDI version of this cable (similar to the one you use for your EQ6). Will have to check back through emails as I was originally going to get one for the G11 but got the Keyspan working in the end.

Peter

[troypiggo]

Thanks for the heads-up. I ended up getting a USB-RS232 lead. Tested today and it appears to work.

[Logieberra]

+1 for Aten USB-Serial adapter (UC232A). Connects beautifully to the MX, Robofocus and ThSkyX. Aten has drivers for Win8 and Mac OSX :)