Topic: Possible To Make Max3232 - Rs232 Into A Solderless Tool? (Read 44 times)

eriksson25 · « **on:** March 24, 2009, 09:16:00 AM »

Hi, I bought a MAX3232 - RS232 to TTL module / converter AVR PIC ARM 130256286350 a long time ago and have done several lite-ons. It works fine but everytime I do a one I have to solder on the rx/tx ground and 3.3v conections onto the driver board of the Lite-on. Is there a way to do this tool solderless? And what is needed if so? Have been looking around at difrent mods but havent found one that suits my need.

So if anyone could send me in the right direction please.

/KG

(IMG:http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3462/sl272804.th.jpg)

Crosseye_J · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:20:00 AM »

Yeah you can. You have a number of options.
the easiest (imo) would be picking up a spare dvd rom power cable and splicing into the +3.3v and ground pins to power the max3232. - http://media.photobu...ctorToMolex.jpg for the pin out of the conector

My home made extractor is also based around a PIC18 which then gives me a USB comm port. I then use a power reg to step down from the USB +5v to +3.3v which works too.
You could add a USB lead and step down the voltage from there using a power regulator (for example: http://www.sparkfun....products_id=526 But you could use any 3.3v power regulator)

A 3rd option would be to scrap the max3232 and use a DKU-5 (you can pick them up for a few quid off ebay if you don't have one lying around the house). They power themselfs from the USB port.
http://docs.google.c...1gsgwz6cz&hl=en - not my doc. Its used to do the same thing but for modems, but shows you which pin on the connector is RX which then you can cut and strip the connector to work out which cable is RX by using a multimeter or a simple lightblub circuit (incase your using a third party lead and the colours dont match)

Which all the above you would just then make a probe or reuse one from a multimeter or whatever you like and solder that to RX

If none of these fit your needs post back and i'll think up some more way to do it

eriksson25 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2009, 11:23:00 AM »

Hi, Thanks for the info. I think I will do the first one then. I have a spare dvd power cable. tx isnt needed at all then?

/regards

Edit: I shuld then use pin 6 for 3.3 volt and then any of the gnd ?

This post has been edited by eriksson25: Mar 24 2009, 06:27 PM

Crosseye_J · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2009, 12:18:00 PM »

Nope the request for the key an other info is sent via the sata port.

Remember you need to use the RX on the max3232/232/whatever (which is the lead you solder to TX on the drive) as the max RECEIVES the info which has been TRANSMITTED by the drive.
Glad i could help

eriksson25 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:01:00 PM »

When I do the spare. How can I put a led in there to show when I got a conection. Betwen what shuld the led be conected?

Crosseye_J · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:46:00 PM »

Right ALL this is just theory...
I've never had the urge to put in an LED but here goes...

R707 gives out +3.3V. So you could put a small (150-220ish ohm) resister to an led.
something like this
RX -> 200ohm -> led -> ground. The LED would go around the MAX circuit. dunno if it would work. dunno how much you could take off r707 without screwing with the data transfer.

eriksson25 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2009, 03:05:00 PM »

Thx again for the info. Think I will skip the led since I didnt have one at home any way. But thx.

pnyce777 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:03:00 PM »

i would like to do the led are there any tuts around

Author Topic: Possible To Make Max3232 - Rs232 Into A Solderless Tool? (Read 44 times)