Usb->serial Adaptors

[d-9 0]

Does anyone know if USB->Serial convertors work with engine management software, specifically the KMS ecu?

 

(my laptop doesnt have a serial port )

[M3Evo 0]

No idea specifically, but people suggested these things as being a possible problem when I was having trouble getting the laptop to talk to my Emerald.

 

That's probably not much help though!

[rich_w 0]

This has been covered on the megasquirt forums, seems to be a bit hit'n'miss. From what I have read the belkin units work, but there about 30 quid ish. Some people have reported sucess with the dirt cheap adaptors on ebay (like 7 quid delveried from HK ).

 

The other option is using a PCMCIA > Serial adaptor, but they can be quite expensive - I have seen maplins advertise them for about 30-40 quid but it seems rather cheap, esp from them (usally cheap s*ite, high prices)...

 

It would be worth a search on the megasquirt forums though if you really need to go the usb > serial route.

Edited February 1, 2006 by rich_w

[Mattsav 1]

Yes they do work.

 

Sometimes you have to tell them to use com port 10, my laptop has to be re-booted with the adaptor in otherwise it has a fit but my laptop has issues anyway.

[d-9 0]

Ahh cool cheers. I gave up in the end and bought an inverter, but only because I think having a desktop in the car is far cooler than a laptop anyway

[rich_w 0]

Mattsav, what make/model of adapter do you use?

[petert 586]

I've tried one on my new Acer laptop with the latest Haltech software. There is definitely a lag compared to a direct serial connection. I also have a port replicator which has a serial port. So I prefer to use my old laptop in DOS.

Edited February 2, 2006 by petert

[M@tt 77]

coincidently i've got an email from maplins saying that they have a 1/3 off their usb->serial connectors at the moment ie £12.99 instead of £19.99 if you interested

 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?C=News...9968&T=12051917

Edited February 2, 2006 by M@tt

[Bats 0]

If anyone is interested in finding a usb serial adapter that works with megasquirt I bought a dynamode one from www.ebuyer.co.uk for £10 that comes with a driver on cd. You need to run the driver to set up the specific usb port you plan to use, then from the megatune software find which port number it is by trying to connect each com port. I set up 2 usb ports and they were com5 and com6 on my laptop.

[Rippthrough 98]

I have a prolific one - cost about £10, works fine, no problems.

-Phillip

Edited November 4, 2006 by Rippthrough

[jonnie205 1]

yep mine works fine with KMS ecu's.

 

i'll find out the make but its nothing special, was a pain to set up COM ports but works a treat now

[smckeown 1]

i'm lucky to have a laptop with a serial port

Edited November 5, 2006 by smckeown

[jim21070 2]

Why not pick up an old low-spec laptop with a serial port for peanuts just for this task? No one wants them and if you look hard enough you may even get one for free, especially if the battery is knacked or the PSU has been mislaid..

 

I run Nissan ConZult on an old 300MHz PII Toshiba laptop and 64M of RAM with a basic build of XP absolutely beautifully.

 

Its not fast but it sure gets the job done.

[Dream Weaver 2]

As Jim says, I got a Toshiba Tecra for free from a mate's firm that had some old stock.

 

Its crap, but fine purely for use on the Emerald, plus I can chuck it around the garage and into the car without too much worry.

[jonnie205 1]

ok so to revive this topic,

 

anyone had any joy with a usb-serial lead that runs with OMEX MAP3000?

 

the adapter i have works with kms but not the omex... ive tried all the ports etc etc but no joy. would like to use a known good one before i try a pcmcia - serial adapter