# cutting the cord on RS232 **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [April 7, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748 "2016-04-07T12:02:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![maddog5683](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@maddog5683](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/maddog5683)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/1 "2016-04-07T12:02:21Z")
Project help. I have a lcd display and keypad connected via RS232 to a controller. I would like to cut the cord on the RS232 data so that the lcd keypad and controller can be hand held. I was looking at this product SparkFun Bluetooth Modem - BlueSMiRF Silver. My problem is that I don’t know if you can pair these together to create the RS232 pipe (master/slave style). I see in the notes that it says DO NOT connect to a computer. Why is that? My setup would be pc board -to- com expansion board -to- controller board-to- display/keypad I want to cut the cord between the expansion board and the controller board ---
**Author:** ![jremington](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jremington/32/6595_2.png) [@jremington](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/jremington)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/2 "2016-04-07T16:56:10Z")
> I see in the notes that it says DO NOT connect to a computer. Why is that? What the product page actually says is this: > Do not attach this device directly to a serial port. You will need an RS232 to TTL converter circuit if you need to attach this to a computer. It will work fine for your project, provided you also obtain the converter. ---
**Author:** ![lyndon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@lyndon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lyndon)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/3 "2016-04-07T19:28:29Z")
Be careful though. Even if your keypad-controller communication is not at RS232 voltage levels, you may still need a converter. The RN42 runs at 3V, so you may still need to convert between 5V \<-\>3V levels. Besides that issue, the RN42 works pretty well in this application. I have a couple of projects where I use them for serial cable replacement (the bare RN42 module; not the spiffied up Sparkfun breakout) and it’s a breeze once they are configured properly. ---
**Author:** ![maddog5683](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@maddog5683](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/maddog5683)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 11:29am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/4 "2016-04-12T11:29:40Z")
Lets assume that this is a windows embedded machine with a com expansion board. Manufacture has verified this com port is transmitting RS232 data. How would I be able to hook up these Bluetooth modules to create a RS232 pipe so that I can cut the cord. What do I need between the PC and this Bluetooth board to make it work. Thanks in advance ---
**Author:** ![jremington](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jremington/32/6595_2.png) [@jremington](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/jremington)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/5 "2016-04-12T14:42:36Z")
[https://www.sparkfun.com/products/449](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/449) ---
**Author:** ![lyndon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@lyndon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/lyndon)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/cutting-the-cord-on-rs232/32748/6 "2016-04-12T16:39:55Z")
All in one unit: [http://gridconnect.com/bluetooth-to-serial.html](http://gridconnect.com/bluetooth-to-serial.html)