USB to Serial adaptors

Nifty (Nev) · #1 13-08-2008, 10:02 PM

Hi all
I have just tried to update my Synscan using a usb to serial adaptor and it fails no matter what I do. ( Even following the Synscan Instructions!)
Can anyone point me in the direction af a brand of adaptor that works with Synscan?

Nev.

gmbfilter (Geoff) · #2 13-08-2008, 10:38 PM

I got mine from BINTEL, don't know brand. It also worked OK for Argonarvis

Gama · #3 14-08-2008, 12:21 AM

Check what port settings is set in the "Device Manager".
It may be possible that it needs to be set at Com1: or Com2:.

Theo.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #4 14-08-2008, 12:26 AM

I've been using KeySpan USB-Serial adaptors for all my requirements; LX200, HEQ5, TheSky, CdC, AstroPlanner etc. Never let me down.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #5 14-08-2008, 07:22 AM

...or try a PCMCIA serial adapter. I've had far more success with these than with USB, and if you have a PCMCIA slot you can use, you get an additional USB port you thought you lost otherwise.

allan gould · #6 14-08-2008, 09:15 AM

Have a Belkin adapter and works fine. Try setting your com ports as suggested

rider · #7 14-08-2008, 11:34 AM

I used a KeySpan USB-Serial adaptor to upgrade the synscan software and it worked fine, but SO SLOOOOOW, it took an hour and a half. The site said it would take about 240 seconds.

Rider

Nifty (Nev) · #8 14-08-2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks everyone,
I tried changing the port number but still no joy.
It seems I will have to buy another one. I have heard that they can be a pain in the asterism. I might get the Bintel one even though it's twice the price of the one I have at least it should work.

Cheers
Nev

Dennis · #9 14-08-2008, 03:58 PM

Like Chris above, I use a PCMCIA RS232 Card and it has been 100% reliable from day 1.

Cheers

Dennis

leinad (Dan) · #10 14-08-2008, 04:01 PM

I bought an ATEN 'USBto Serial' adapter and never got it working? Someone did mention they had to change the data wires over, but I have no idea which ones and how to do this.

acropolite (Phil) · #11 14-08-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

I bought an ATEN 'USBto Serial' adapter and never got it working

I can personally vouch for the ATEN, we use them at work (for serial programming to PABX's) and there are no problems with anything you throw at them. There's bugger all to getting them "working", basically just plug them in and load the driver. You may have to go in to the device manager and change the com port to one that is spare and satisfies your applications needs (many progs like coms 1-4 and won't run with any higher) You can buy one for under $30

leinad (Dan) · #12 14-08-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

I can personally vouch for the ATEN, we use them at work (for serial programming to PABX's) and there are no problems with anything you throw at them. There's bugger all to getting them "working", basically just plug them in and load the driver. You may have to go in to the device manager and change the com port to one that is spare and satisfies your applications needs (many progs like coms 1-4 and won't run with any higher) You can buy one for under $30

I trust then you have tried one on the mount? Please HELP ME on how you got it working. I've tried everything! and it wont talk to the mount.

I tried different COM ports when using the SynScan update and on occasion it would brefiely work, but 98% time it would fail. I eventually gave up, and havnt tried since.

I'm desperate to getting it working with Starry Night, and ASCOM Progs.

acropolite (Phil) · #13 14-08-2008, 06:23 PM

I haven't tried mine yet driving my EQ6, but if I get a chance, I'll give it a run at the weekend. One thing worth noting is that it often helps to turn off the FIFO buffer in the device manager. I had one system that wouldn't download reliably and when the FIFO option was turned off the problems disappeared. I personally wouldn't try updating a synscan (or autostar or any other flash upgradeable handbox for that matter) on anything other than a normal comms port. FYI there is a bit more discussion on the Aten adapter in this thread.

leinad (Dan) · #14 14-08-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

I haven't tried mine yet driving my EQ6, but if I get a chance, I'll give it a run at the weekend. One thing worth noting is that it often helps to turn off the FIFO buffer in the device manager. I had one system that wouldn't download reliably and when the FIFO option was turned off the problems disappeared. I personally wouldn't try updating a synscan (or autostar or any other flash upgradeable handbox for that matter) on anything other than a normal comms port. FYI there is a bit more discussion on the Aten adapter in this thread.

They would be great if you could try it out. Thanks. I'll also try those options mentioned.
I read that other thread posted, but it wasnt too helpful. Outwestwa mentioned he had to swap over the data wires, but I have no idea whats involved in this or how to do it, or why. See last post in the therad.

Cheers

acropolite (Phil) · #15 15-08-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Outwestwa mentioned he had to swap over the data wires, but I have no idea whats involved in this or how to do it, or why

I would imagine he's referring to the cable between the adapter and his equipment. There aren't that many leads involved, some interfaces use as little as 3 (transmit data, recieve data and signal ground) for bothway comms. There are other handshaking leads RTS, CTS, CD, DTR, DSR (request to send, clear to send, carrier detect, Data set ready and data terminal ready) which are sometimes used.

The EQ6 Synscan interface only uses TX & RX data and signal ground. There's a diagram of the cable in appendix B of the Sysncan Manual.

Tandum (Robin) · #16 16-08-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

...or try a PCMCIA serial adapter. I've had far more success with these than with USB, and if you have a PCMCIA slot you can use, you get an additional USB port you thought you lost otherwise.

I you check device manager you'll find that these devices install themselves as a USB device, so 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. They prolly work more consistantly because most laptops have crap usb ports in the first place which can't supply either the current or the speed required.

mrsnipey · #17 16-08-2008, 02:35 AM

I've ordered a pcmcia serial adapter from ebay as I've given up hope of ever getting my serial cable to work with my eq6. It's weird though because I can control my 400D with a cable I built and the serial to usb cable, no problems.
Fingers crossed.

Tandum (Robin) · #18 16-08-2008, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsnipey

I've ordered a pcmcia serial adapter from ebay as I've given up hope of ever getting my serial cable to work with my eq6. It's weird though because I can control my 400D with a cable I built and the serial to usb cable, no problems.
Fingers crossed.

There's the rub. The camera does not require current from the USB line, it just transfers data, but the mount obviously needs current to drive switching transistors or something, and your USB socket and the voltage drop across the cable lenght you are using, can't supply the current required to do it.

Have you tried putting a powered USB hub on the mount?

leinad (Dan) · #19 16-08-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

I would imagine he's referring to the cable between the adapter and his equipment. There aren't that many leads involved, some interfaces use as little as 3 (transmit data, recieve data and signal ground) for bothway comms. There are other handshaking leads RTS, CTS, CD, DTR, DSR (request to send, clear to send, carrier detect, Data set ready and data terminal ready) which are sometimes used.

The EQ6 Synscan interface only uses TX & RX data and signal ground. There's a diagram of the cable in appendix B of the Sysncan Manual.

Hey Phil,

Would you be be able try yours out this weekend, and let me know if you have success and how you configured it through the device manager?

I'll give it another shot today as well.

mrsnipey · #20 16-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

There's the rub. The camera does not require current from the USB line, it just transfers data, but the mount obviously needs current to drive switching transistors or something, and your USB socket and the voltage drop across the cable lenght you are using, can't supply the current required to do it.

Have you tried putting a powered USB hub on the mount?

Hi Tandum. That might be the problem. My laptop only has usb1 ports. I might have to invest in a powered usb hub as well. Thanks for the idea.