serial ports on a laptop

[millsn]

What do people do these days for this. My old serial port pc is now dead, is ebay my only option?

[sjmmarsh]

You need to get a USB to RS232 converter. That will allow you to use your serial device.

 

here

 

Steve

[millsn]

Looks good but do they actually work? MBE's SBD site says to avoid them, "We would recommend that you only use a laptop/computer with a serial port which is fitted as standard when using our mapping leads or professional mapping kits, since you are likely to experience problems when using a USB to serial convertor."

 

here

 

I'll be only too pleased if they do, esp given the price

 

Edited by - millsn on 4 May 2012 22:52:27

[Mankee]

I bought a very cheap and old laptop with an onboard serial port for about £25-£30 to use as as a garage/car/ECU/trackday/bashing laptop. I hope it works once I reconnect all the wiring around my car!

[oilyhands]

Some have cheap and nasty chipsets, the Easysync adapter has a good quality chipset which conforms corectly to the appropriate protocols and standards.

 

Oily

[sjmmarsh]

millsn

 

The website is really saying that they can't guarantee it will work with the adapter. At the price it is probably worth trying the adapter and then going for an old laptop if it doesn't work.

 

I am only just up the road from you and have one that you could try - although the cost of a cheap one is less than the petrol from Peterborough to Stamford.

 

I travel to London most days on the train so that could be a handover point?

 

Steve

[millsn]

Oily,

Is the easi sync is this item?

here

 

Great info chaps, Simon I'll pm you, I should probably say hi in any case

 

[rgrigsby]

This is the one I use, the guy that sells them is a Westfield owner and specialises in car ECU and electrical bits. He's spent quite a bit of time finding one that works properly, I use this with an Emerald without any problems.

 

Cheers

Rob

[Phil B]

FWIW I use the ATEN adaptor bought from Amazon on the recommendation of Omex, works fine with my 600 unit.

One trick to be aware of, which Omex told me about, is to get an adaptor with as short a cable as possible, and then buy a proper RS232-RS232 extension lead so you can ahve the laptop in the car or well clear of the engine bay. Reason for this is interference on the cable. RS232 has a higher spec for cable screening as it is a commercial/industrial standard, whereas USB devices are normally expected to be use in domestic/office environments where there is unlikely to be high voltage sparking etc. How true this is I don't know, but makes sense.

 

Phil B

[Tin Man]

Try Emerald here

[Drumster]

I have the Easy-Sync as sold by Emerald, purchased mine along with the k6. Works absolutely fine