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

2devnull · Post by **2devnull** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:57 am

mdavej wrote:Yes, any JP1 EEPROM cable or your Nokia cable plus a JP1 EEPROM adapter like this: http://www.diygadget.com/jp1-1-1-1-2-1- ... apter.html

You said you soldered the pins, but you also have to solder in an EEPROM chip. Have you done that as well? If not, I'd advise you just get a JP1.3 remote.

Yes, sorry....have the chip also soldered in. Which Nokia cable will work?

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:35 am

I'm sorry, I thought you were asking about the Nokia cable right above your initial post. I would not recommend that. I would recommend the FTDI cable in nejpski's post: http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... 649#108649

You will also have to buy the JP1 EEPROM adapter I linked.

That's one option. There are others. If you still have a PC with a parallel port, you can make a simple JP1 EEPROM cable for just a few dollars in parts from Radio Shack. Or you can buy an old USB JP1 EEPROM cable.

But getting back to your original question, when you ask will "this" work, what exactly is "this"?

2devnull · Post by **2devnull** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:21 am

mdavej wrote:I'm sorry, I thought you were asking about the Nokia cable right above your initial post. I would not recommend that. I would recommend the FTDI cable in nejpski's post: http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewt ... 649#108649

You will also have to buy the JP1 EEPROM adapter I linked.

That's one option. There are others. If you still have a PC with a parallel port, you can make a simple JP1 EEPROM cable for just a few dollars in parts from Radio Shack. Or you can buy an old USB JP1 EEPROM cable.

But getting back to your original question, when you ask will "this" work, what exactly is "this"?

Sorry, I was not clear either. I meant if the cable discussed in this thread will work. I still have computers with Parallel ports but not clear what parts are needed to build one as I was not able to find a retailer selling one at a reasonable cost.

mdavej · Post by **mdavej** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:47 am

Parallel is by far the cheapest option, no additional JP1 EEPROM adapter required. Here how:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/files/interf ... leRev5.pdf

The risk is it won't work on a new computer since parallel is obsolete.

2devnull · Post by **2devnull** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:33 pm

mdavej wrote:Parallel is by far the cheapest option, no additional JP1 EEPROM adapter required. Here how:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/files/interf ... leRev5.pdf

The risk is it won't work on a new computer since parallel is obsolete.

I got the parts from RS and the IDC head from eBay. Have a DB25 cable with the solder ends already.

BTW - there are PCI parallel ports for reasonable cost. I had bought one for an older fax/printer that I have now upgraded so perhaps will swap it to a new computer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815166005

Has anyone managed to run the required tools like IR.exe etc in a VM of Windows 7?

bowlerj · Post by **bowlerj** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:54 am

Appreciate all the info in this thread.

nejpski's ebay seller still lists the same item. Ordered it for $8.65 shipped. Also got the DIYgadget JP1.2/1.3 to JP1 adapter.

Came out to near the same price as adding a parallel port to a PC and gives me more flexibility to jump between PC's.

Ken S · Post by **Ken S** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:49 am

We have our new JPX Flash and JP1 EEPROM everyone has been waiting for...both of our new products are using the newest FTDI technology....visit our web site for more information !!

Ken Stovall
Owner of TxSat Electronics

www.txsat.net

unclemiltie · Post by **unclemiltie** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:43 pm

FWIW - I have no idea if this will work, I haven't tried it yet but the Arduino development boards with serial interfaces look an awful lot like the JP1.x serial cables, just a different connector.

I had to buy one to load up an Arduino board and got this one, it's an FTDI serial-USB adapter in the USB plug with a 6-pin connector on the end. I was thinking of wiring up an adapter to see if it would work with my remotes. The only difference appears that the wire colors are different from Tommy's document.

Anyway, they're cheap here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pin-FTDI-FT232 ... 5d3713fcc0

Dilligaf · Post by **Dilligaf** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:29 pm

That will work, just cut the connector into 2 3-way connectors and glue them back to back and pin out the wires to the right locations

unclemiltie · Post by **unclemiltie** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:59 pm

yea, but I want to use it for my Arduino boards too.

I think I'll just make an adapter, should be pretty easy

Tiku · Post by **Tiku** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:34 pm

From page 4
@cauer29

It would be best to put some series resistance in the cable's Tx and RTS lines to limit the current flow into the remote's ESD protection structures. 330 or 470 ohms should limit the current sufficiently without hurting the rise/fall times on the 38.4K baud serial baud rate.

I have tried with 330 and also with 470 ohms resistance, but i dont see any minute drop in the voltage,its still showing 5v in Tx,RTS. can anybody please guide me please, i just soldered the resistance straight in-between the output of Tx and the green cable, is it right?
Thanks.

cauer29 · Post by **cauer29** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:13 pm

Tiku wrote:From page 4
@cauer29
It would be best to put some series resistance in the cable's Tx and RTS lines to limit the current flow into the remote's ESD protection structures. 330 or 470 ohms should limit the current sufficiently without hurting the rise/fall times on the 38.4K baud serial baud rate.
I have tried with 330 and also with 470 ohms resistance, but i dont see any minute drop in the voltage,its still showing 5v in Tx,RTS. can anybody please guide me please, i just soldered the resistance straight in-between the output of Tx and the green cable, is it right?
Thanks.

You won't see any voltage drop unless the cable is connected to the remote. In that case, the series resistors will show a voltage drop if the chip in the remote is clamping to its 3.0 or 3.3V supply. It would probably still work without the series resistors, but it does put a big load on the Tx and RTS drivers in the USB serial converter IC and it also pumps a lot of current into the ESD clamp structures in the remote's chip.

gentzel · Post by **gentzel** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:19 am

Just a quick note about picking an eBay FTDI serial cable.

I just happened to notice that the auction listing that many of us have used since neipski first posted it back on 1/26/2013 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1101529602) has changed the description from 3.3V to 5V.

Always check the listing before purchasing; a seller can keep the same auction open for years but change the item & description on you. Don't just click on a link others have used and assume it's good; read carefully first.

roadking00 · Post by **roadking00** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:30 pm

rern wrote:This FTDI FT232RL USB to Serial adapter is one of the cheapest, $8.54 + free shipping, on ebay that works just fine.
The actual color of wires are not as shown but nejpski has his research:
nejpski wrote: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
And with this 2x3 connector housing, 50 pieces for $3.75 + free shipping, you are good to go.

OK , So correct me if Im wrong, the red and blue wires are not used at all for JP1.3 remotes and I need to eliminate the wires from those 2 pin connectors but utilize the 2 empty connectors just to assemble a more rigid 2x3 connector with super glue? Or can I just leave the wires there and it wont effect anything ??

3FG · Post by **3FG** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:43 pm

Please don't use the color of the wires as guide to how to hook up the cable, because the colors aren't standardized in any way. Also, the numbers nejpski gave are wire numbers which are unrelated to the JP1 6 pin connector pin numbers. Instead use the following list and information from your vendor to find the correct colors or signal names for your particular interface:

Code: Select all

JP1.3      --->         FTDI  Signal Name 
Pin      
1   --------------- Not connected
2   --------------- RTS
3   --------------- Ground
4   --------------- TXD
5   --------------- Not Connected
6   --------------- RXD

Anyway, don't attach either CTS or VCC. CTS can confuse the communication with the remote, and VCC (if it is +5 volts) can possibly damage the remote.

Finally be sure to not connect anything to pin 5 on the JP1 connector-- that can put the remote into Tool mode, and it will likely brick the remote.

JP1 Remotes

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

Visit TxSat Electronics Web Site !!