Would like a custom cable!

Archive New Product Ideas
1

I would like to have a custom cable to connect to my X10 CM11a power line controller.

The one provided with it is DB9 to 4p4c telephone connector for RS232 communications.

I needed a longer cable so I crimped 4p4c connectors onto both lines of a telephone cable used with a coupler and it did not work…communication errors.

I ended up using two stock serial cables in a row in order to get the length I need and it’s ridiculous.

I am already having to use a USB to serial converter. I wish it could be all built into one long cable ~25’

Here is what I have now:

[USB A/mini cable] → [USB Hub] → [USB Cable] → [Parallax USB-RS232] → [Serial Cable] → [Serial Cable] → [CM11a Cable] → [CM11a]

If the one cable could have USB A with built in FTDI and MAX232, 25 feet in length, and terminate with a 4p4c that would be awesome!

I have something like this already that I got from Adafruit. but it’s TTL levels and not very long and terminated with the jumper caps…

2

I’m guessing that somewhere you ended up reversing the pins, either when making the cable or in the 4P4C coupler. I would determine the original cable’s pinout with an ohmmeter or continuity tester, and make my own longer one.

That would replace [Serial Cable] → [Serial Cable] → [CM11a Cable] with one cable.

/mike