Computer to SS 24 help...

**Mangrove** · 01-26-2011, 12:41 PM

I've just finished building my first SS 24 board... and it appears everything works correctly as I performed all the beginner tests and everything lit up like it was supposed to... Yipee!!!!

Now for the next step, are there directions, videos or "how tos" for connecting my computer to the board? I have looked in the Wiki and scoured many threads, but I haven't found step by step instructions for this process. I have a USB to RS 485 converter so what I really need to know is how to connect the converter to the board. I assume I'll need CAT5 wire but how do the wires get connected to the converter block and to the RJ45 jack for the board?

I apologize in advance if I've overlooked a "how to" on this subject, but I just have not been able to find the step by step instructions similar to the assembly of the board.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Mike

**RavingLunatic** · 01-26-2011, 01:16 PM

No "How-to" exists because of all the different possible converters that could be used.

However, all you need to have is a cable built/connected to your converter like the one in the wiki:

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wik...rd#Data_Cables

It would be the same as the RS232->RS485 converter cable.

**dirknerkle** · 01-26-2011, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mangrove

I've just finished building my first SS 24 board... and it appears everything works correctly as I performed all the beginner tests and everything lit up like it was supposed to... Yipee!!!!.... I apologize in advance if I've overlooked a "how to" on this subject, but I just have not been able to find the step by step instructions similar to the assembly of the board.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Mike

Mike, congratulations on making your first SS24. It's a fantastic board and may be just the first of many SS boards you'll add to your display in the future! The SS line is nice because they all use the same parts -- just different quantities of some of them. Way to go!

One of the delights of DIY is that you will often NOT find "how-to" information on every conceivable thing. Instead, one often needs to take the information about "Part A" and intuitively figure out how to connect it to "Part B". Serial communication is one of those things. There are standards in the computer industry, and sometimes you may need to do a little research on your own to fill in the gaps. For example, the RS232 port on a computer is designed so that specific pins in the connector carry specific computer signals. They have names. Likewise, RS485 has specific signal lines that it uses, typically GND, D+ and D- (or some may call it GND, RS485+ and RS485-). When you look at the spec for the SS boards, you can easily find which signal goes to which pin for the RJ45 inputs. It's a simple matter, then to match up the pin on the RJ45 with the data line that's supposed to go to it.

So what you'll generally find is specific information about some things -- for example, you might know the beginning and end, but filling in the blanks in between is the DIY part. It's like a road map. You have a starting place, and you have a destination, but there are probably lots of different roads that can get you there.

Enjoy the DIY ride! It's a BLAST!!!

-dave

**dale** · 01-26-2011, 02:21 PM

I have the same problem I ordered this adapter can you explain what ones to hook up to a ren 24SS board

http://www.biosciences2.utoledo.edu/pic/adapt.jpg

**kychristmas** · 01-26-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by dale

I have the same problem I ordered this adapter can you explain what ones to hook up to a ren 24SS board

http://www.biosciences2.utoledo.edu/pic/adapt.jpg

Yeah, it kind of sucks when all these Chinese converters are labeled in different ways... Using the attached PIC from the wiki, your T-A= 485- and T+B =485+. so just use this to make up a cable with an RJ45 Crimped on. The nice thing is you can easily rewire it without having to recrimp.

If you don't have a crimper, then take an existing cable, but one end off and wire it correctly.

**dale** · 01-26-2011, 02:55 PM

thank you that is going to help me a lot

**dirknerkle** · 01-26-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by kychristmas

Yeah, it kind of sucks when all these Chinese converters are labeled in different ways... Using the attached PIC from the wiki, your T-A= 485- and T+B =485+. so just use this to make up a cable with an RJ45 Crimped on. The nice thing is you can easily rewire it without having to recrimp.

If you don't have a crimper, then take an existing cable, but one end off and wire it correctly.

What Kelly is saying is that DIY'ers need to think a little outside the box. Serial communications ususually involves a TRANSMIT line and a RECEIVE line, and a GROUND connection. Ground is usually pretty easy to find. In the case of this adapter, T+ and T- are the two "transmission" lines. Doing a little background study on what RS485 is all about and you'd discover that it's a differential communication method using a + and an - polarity signal. So matching up the concept, T+ is the RS485+ line and T- is the RS485- line.

So what would R+ and R- be?

DIY is all about thinking outside the box... so get yourself a box and never let anyone catch you standing inside it...

**Mangrove** · 01-26-2011, 10:30 PM

Ahh just like life, DIYC is a journey, not a guided tour! I agree there is a very steep learning curve but heck, I’ve built a controller, taught myself how to weld and learned a bunch of things I didn’t know before I started down this road; this is really a rewarding hobby! I won’t be boxed in!

I’ll give the connection a try based on the responses I’ve gotten and things I’ve read in various places. I know I’ll get it to work, it’s just how long will it take and how many questions I’ll have to ask…

Speaking of questions, one other pesky item I’ve run across is a 10 controller limit per com port. What if the display has more than 10 controllers? Is the solution another com port? That seems too easy…

As always, I appreciate the feedback!

Mike

**Wayne J** · 01-26-2011, 11:14 PM

ScreenHunter_022.jpg

Originally Posted by Mangrove

Speaking of questions, one other pesky item I’ve run across is a 10 controller limit per com port. What if the display has more than 10 controllers? Is the solution another com port? That seems too easy…

As always, I appreciate the feedback!

Mike

It is not a controller limit, it is a channel limit per port, and YES it is as easy as adding more ports.

**dale** · 01-26-2011, 11:21 PM

dirk
after reading a few pages on rs 232 and 485 I have a better understanding of transmit and Received Data. Hooking up a modem or a typerwriter to it was a little before my time but still was a good read. I have my first board done (out of 3) and will be placing it in line with lor next.