Build a JP1.x/JP2 cable using an FTDI Serial Converter Cable

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:04 pm

Yes, it is a low price, and it has Rx and Tx LEDs, and has the necessary signals including RTS. So it should work...... provided it is actually made with FTDI chips.

If it is made with counterfeit or cloned chips, the drivers supplied by FTDI may not work. Still, for <$10, it is probably worth the gamble. A similar product, made by FTDI cost $20, and doesn't have the LEDs.

underquark · Post by **underquark** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:18 am

Get the FTDI one. It is known to work and the wires are of a standard colour. The picture of the cable you show suggests that it is same as in this thread. The latest I heard was that they hadn't yet worked out which wire was which (it has different colours to the FTDI cable) let alone confirmed that the cable worked or not.

If, however, you fancy an experiment (and there's no harm in that) then go ahead and let us know if you get it working.

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:34 am

The description on eBay for the cable which nejpski linked says:

Code: Select all

New USB to TTL Serial Cable FTDI chipset FT232RL 1.8M 6ft for Arduino UNO mini
Feature:
l FTDI based USB to TTL Serial Cable are designed using the the standard FT232RL chipset. 
l The cables provide a fast, simple way to connect devices with a TTL level serial interface to USB. 
l RX and TX LEDs indicator 
l The cables are available with a 6-way SIL, 0.1" connector 
l TTL levels is 3.3V 
l The TTL-232R cables are a family of USB to TTL serial UART converter cables incorporating FTD's FT232RQ USB to Serial 
UART interface IC device which handles all the USB signalling and protocols. The cables provide a fast, simple way to connect 
devices with a TTL level serial interface to USB 
l Each TTL-232R cable contains a small internal electronic circuit board, utilising the FT232R, which is encapsulated into the USB 
connector end of the cable. The other end of the cable comes with a selection of different connectors supporting various applications . 
l Cables are FCC, CE, RoHS compliant and are available.
l Cables are available with either a 6-way SIL,0.1”pitch connector, a 3.5mmAudio Jack, an 8 way, keyed 2mmpitch connector 
(intended for use with VMUSIC2 or VDRIVE2) or bare, tinned wire ended connections 
l The USB side of the cable is USB powered and USB 2.0 full speed compatible. Each cable is 
1.8mlong and supports a data transfer rate up to 3 Mbaud 

Note:
1 - Black:GND 
2 - Blue:CTS
3 - Red:5V
4 - Green:TXD
5 - White:RXD
6 - Yellow:RTS

So the colors shouldn't be a mystery. I would check to see if #3 actually provided 3.3 or 5 volts. If it is 5 volts, I would consider not attaching wire #3 to the remote (unless it is a 4 battery remote).
Note that the descriptions in the two listings are identical except this one has appended the definition of the wire colors.

mrf4665 · Post by **mrf4665** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:11 am

Found a source for genuine FTDI USB TTL-232R-3V3 cables that's even cheaper than Mouser, Digikey, etc. They're currently $16.50 and First Class shipping is very reasonable.

Wish I had found this prior to placing my order earlier this week....

http://microcontrollershop.com/product_ ... ts_id=2728

Cheers,
Mark

nejpski · Post by **nejpski** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:40 pm

I received the cable from Fleabay today. Havent had a chance to do anything with it except verify that the red line is indeed 5 v.

I also plugged it into a laptop running win 7 ultimate. It automatically downloaded drivers for the cable without any hiccups.

As mentioned in the original post from me, the connectors is 6 single rather than a 2x3 setup. Also the LEDs are present as original description states.

Will update after I have a chance to do so.

nejpski · Post by **nejpski** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:16 am

Great News. After checking colors and function, I connected 4 of the 6 connectors directly on appropriate pins and everything seems to work great!!

I will list the new color vs old (although anyone can figure that on their own based on above and published info on the other available USB cables).

I have not put the cables into any kind of 3x2 header (and may not). I can put individual plugs on pins as is without any modification. I suppose I could get out some super glue and glue 4 (or 6) of the plastic headers together to make it somewhat more convenient (and perhaps add durability and longevity)..... a heat shrink tube might also be suggested for same.

And they have raised the price on fleabay back to about $10 with another $1 shipping. BUt I must say, I am pleased with my purchase. I am NOT a high volume user, so others may locate an issue(s) which I have not.

Thanks again for all the experts support.

Let it snow!

PS...Per previous poster, I have left the 5 volt (red wire) disconnected. This has not caused any problems with reading or programming my remotes. [The blue wire is also left disconnected.]

nejpski · Post by **nejpski** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:09 pm

Wire Number \ USE \ OLD COLOR \ NEW COLOR

[1] Ground \ Black \ BLACK

[2] CTS \ Brown \ BLUE (Not connected)

[3] VCC \ Red \ RED (Not connected) 5V

[4] TXD \ Orange \ GREEN

[5] RXD \ Yellow \ WHITE

[6] RTS \ Green \ YELLOW

gentzel · Post by **gentzel** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:07 am

I need another JP1x cable like I need more remotes (there are boxes full downstairs), but I love this stuff and had to try the eBay cable.

Picked up 2 cables from the auction link posted by nejpski, slapped on 2x3 connectors, a little heat-shrink tubing (optional) and voilà! They work great. And I do appreciate having the LEDs which is the main advantage over the genuine FTDI cables (well, that and price).

Sad not having Tommy around. His contributions are still going strong.

uwereinert · Post by **uwereinert** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:37 am

gentzel wrote:Sad not having Tommy around. His contributions are still going strong.

You're right!

Uwe

nejpski · Post by **nejpski** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:24 pm

Dido! If Tommy is reading this.....this ALL wouldnt have been possible without HIM. Doesnt take a genius to figure that out.

supertommy · Post by **supertommy** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:59 pm

i m in italy
this one should be ok i guess right?

http://www.ebay.it/itm/USB-to-TTL-conve ... 1e780b23d9

it's ft232rl chip based one...

gentzel · Post by **gentzel** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:26 pm

supertommy wrote:this one should be ok i guess right?

Possibly, but it's a bit off-topic as this thread is about adapting a cable.

Why not just use one of the cables already verified as working, as posted earlier in this thread?

supertommy · Post by **supertommy** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:03 am

because i cant find here in italy/europe/uk a cheap one like the item i posted

i can't understand if any ftd based device should be ok... to connect a jpx interface i need only rx tx and gnd line?

gentzel · Post by **gentzel** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:07 am

supertommy wrote:because i cant find here in italy/europe/uk a cheap one like the item i posted

The posted eBay seller ships free to Italy.

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:30 am

supertommy wrote: to connect a jpx interface i need only rx tx and gnd line?

The interface also need RTS, which is connected to the Reset pin of the JP1 connector.

JP1 Remotes

Build a JP1.x/JP2 cable using an FTDI Serial Converter Cable

Update on <$10 cable from Fleabay via Hong Kong (shipped)

Color cross chart for the $10 Fleabay Cable noted above

italy

Re: italy

cant find

Re: cant find

Re: cant find