On my Aquacontroller Jr. there is a port, I bought the cable that goes from this port to PC, the other end has a PC serial port (female end) can I use this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=123071&CatId=464 to hook up from that port to my PC, and (tougher part of the problem) run my AC Jr. on the computer. Im not good at this computer stuff. Thankx
Computer Guru's I have a ?
- Thread starter Bri Guy
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yaitisme
In Memoriam
Best answer is it depends.
So your Aquacontroller has a serial output, you are using a serial cable to go to your computer, and finally want to use a serial to USB converter cable to plug into your computers USB port. If this is the case it 'should' work if your software will be fine with fetching data off of the USB/vertual serial port. Are you doing this because you don't have a serial port?
It may be easier to stay with the serial communication (as USB can present it's own additional connectivity problems) or use a converter cable to convert the data for use on a network cable.
So your Aquacontroller has a serial output, you are using a serial cable to go to your computer, and finally want to use a serial to USB converter cable to plug into your computers USB port. If this is the case it 'should' work if your software will be fine with fetching data off of the USB/vertual serial port. Are you doing this because you don't have a serial port?
It may be easier to stay with the serial communication (as USB can present it's own additional connectivity problems) or use a converter cable to convert the data for use on a network cable.
FlipFlops24/7
I'd tap that glass
it should definitely work. We use those adapters here at work for some of our old serial label scanners.
Do you not have a serial port on your computer?
Do you not have a serial port on your computer?
That hooks to your http://www.nintendoland.com/home2.htm?nes/tech.htm - I think thru the port on the bottom.
J
J
No, I don't have serial port, thats what brought this problem on. But I do have a NES! Prugs just got one all hooked up and gave me some tips.
Prugs Quote:
I had to use a ground isolated serial connector (GISC) from Neptune, to stop the PH readings from going erratic & reading high. You may not need this if you are connecting to a router. I have the Neptune cable from the controller, to the GISC, to a 10' rs232 serial cable extension, to a rs232/USB2 converter hooked into the USB2 port in the computer.
So theres my answers, thankx everybody.....Im still so lost, this may take awhile.
Prugs Quote:
I had to use a ground isolated serial connector (GISC) from Neptune, to stop the PH readings from going erratic & reading high. You may not need this if you are connecting to a router. I have the Neptune cable from the controller, to the GISC, to a 10' rs232 serial cable extension, to a rs232/USB2 converter hooked into the USB2 port in the computer.
So theres my answers, thankx everybody.....Im still so lost, this may take awhile.
Brian, what do you have for a computer?
Also, befor you just go and order one, lets talk. I may be able to get you a serial port, OR Radio Shak had those... You could buy one, try it, and if it does not work, return it this weekend. When you stop, remind me to show you the case of cables and connectors I've bought online that are good for notin'
Also, I think prugs is referring to something you have not considered yet... the grounding of the cable from the AC. That's the way I read it.
If you connect it without a proper grounding, which would result if you were able to connect with the serial cable, the computer would be able to properly ground the whatever stray signal voltage that was in the line. If you convert it from that nice, but old serial line to a new, but amazingly simple USB line, you may loose that grounding ability. I would also consider a grounding probe inside your tank, perhaps 2, one in the tank, and one in the sump chamber that has the electronics and the probe. Mater of fact. Ground everything.
Here's why I say that... A few weeks back I had a heater go to heck (you know, heck... the place down south) The seal leaked, and water was able to get inside the housing. It shorted out. but it didn't just stop there. No sireee it continued to be live in the tank. Because I moved a heat run in my basement, I disconnected the power box and unfortunatly the ground probe that was screwed into it. Thinking quickly as all reefers would, I ran an extension cord and plugged in the tanks power bar into an industrial power cord. HOWEVER, the ground probe was still hooked to the dead line, with no grounding. That familiar smell of burnt electricity and electronics soon followed.
I would ground everything so that you don't accidentally turn your new shiny AC into a burnt out toaster.
J
Also, befor you just go and order one, lets talk. I may be able to get you a serial port, OR Radio Shak had those... You could buy one, try it, and if it does not work, return it this weekend. When you stop, remind me to show you the case of cables and connectors I've bought online that are good for notin'
Also, I think prugs is referring to something you have not considered yet... the grounding of the cable from the AC. That's the way I read it.
If you connect it without a proper grounding, which would result if you were able to connect with the serial cable, the computer would be able to properly ground the whatever stray signal voltage that was in the line. If you convert it from that nice, but old serial line to a new, but amazingly simple USB line, you may loose that grounding ability. I would also consider a grounding probe inside your tank, perhaps 2, one in the tank, and one in the sump chamber that has the electronics and the probe. Mater of fact. Ground everything.
Here's why I say that... A few weeks back I had a heater go to heck (you know, heck... the place down south) The seal leaked, and water was able to get inside the housing. It shorted out. but it didn't just stop there. No sireee it continued to be live in the tank. Because I moved a heat run in my basement, I disconnected the power box and unfortunatly the ground probe that was screwed into it. Thinking quickly as all reefers would, I ran an extension cord and plugged in the tanks power bar into an industrial power cord. HOWEVER, the ground probe was still hooked to the dead line, with no grounding. That familiar smell of burnt electricity and electronics soon followed.
I would ground everything so that you don't accidentally turn your new shiny AC into a burnt out toaster.
J
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I have one ground in the show tank (where i stick my hands the most) but could move it down untill I get another one. I may stick to the old serial port on the computer if that won't cause the other grounding problem. Ill hook it up and buy the GFCI if I have a problem.
Could I buy a computer serial port extention cable, or will this cause a grounding problem too.
My brain hurts :hmm4:
Could I buy a computer serial port extention cable, or will this cause a grounding problem too.
My brain hurts :hmm4:
Quote by Jason: Brian, what do you have for a computer? http://www.nintendoland.com/home2.htm?nes/tech.htm
yaitisme
In Memoriam
The grounding that Prugs is referring to is a logic gnd issue (not the AC gnd that Jason is talking about) most likely brought on by the excessive cable lengths and/or a weak serial transfer IC in the controller (Engineering issue) and/or multiple conversations. Probably induced some ground bounce or noice that became converted to true logic states finally misinterpreted by the PC/software.
Easiest answer is to install a serial card into you PC and use a quality DB9 serial cable. If you experience a gnd mismatch issue just find a short serial cable and cut the shield gnd and pin gnds.
Easiest answer is to install a serial card into you PC and use a quality DB9 serial cable. If you experience a gnd mismatch issue just find a short serial cable and cut the shield gnd and pin gnds.
Would I be able to hook one of these controller thingies to my Atari????????? Wouldn't it be cool to play space invaders in your reef tank? A nudi comes out on the glass. You move the cursor over and a fire a laser into the nudi. So coll!
I tink al dese gajuts ar gitin a lil much for me.
I tink al dese gajuts ar gitin a lil much for me.
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