Search found 332 matches

by kheston
Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:22 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: On/Off using a serial port?
Replies: 3
Views: 1746

On/Off using a serial port?

I'd like to build a simple device that I can plug 120V appliances into with <= 10A draw and cut/restore power using RS232 (and a serial port on my PC).<p>I know X10 has lots of neat stuff for this, can it be done more simply (cheaply)?
by kheston
Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:51 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PS2 to serial port conversion
Replies: 11
Views: 4048

Re: PS2 to serial port conversion

Is this what I'm looking for? Schematic<p>Looks like I could build one for under $10.
by kheston
Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PS2 to serial port conversion
Replies: 11
Views: 4048

Re: PS2 to serial port conversion

Actually, if I wasn't such a spend thrift, I'd buy scanners with serial interfaces from one of those guys and be done. However, I've cheaped out and purchased 7 declawed CueCats on EBay. I do have a single Symbol LS-1004 with a serial interface for which I've written a simple POS system. However, I'...
by kheston
Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PS2 to serial port conversion
Replies: 11
Views: 4048

Re: PS2 to serial port conversion

What would be the best way to approach the conversion? Microprocessor?
by kheston
Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PS2 to serial port conversion
Replies: 11
Views: 4048

Re: PS2 to serial port conversion

I've tried one of the passive connectors (I have three or four), but it doesn't seem to power the scanner. Can I remedy this by sending one of the pins 5 volts without creating a smoke show?
by kheston
Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: PS2 to serial port conversion
Replies: 11
Views: 4048

PS2 to serial port conversion

Hi All,<p>I have a number of keyboard-wedge PS2 interface barcode scanners that I'd like to adapt for use with the DB9 serial port (RS232) on my PC. I don't mind if the change is permanent. Is there a way to do this?<p>I'd like to trigger events in my UI based upon when a barcode is scanned. When us...
by kheston
Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:13 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery
Replies: 11
Views: 10270

Re: voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery

I plan to place the circuit in line with the radio only. It won't draw anywhere near 15 amps.<p>It'd be great if you sent me your circuit design.<p>Thanks!
by kheston
Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery
Replies: 11
Views: 10270

Re: voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery

With some experimentation, I will be able to figure out the minimum voltage required to start the car.<p>The radio is a late model Sony, the battery relatively new, and the alternator is charging it just fine. Can anyone propose a cutoff circuit to get me started?
by kheston
Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:33 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery
Replies: 11
Views: 10270

voltage cutoff for my car radio/battery

I have an old VW that often sits for weeks without being driven. The clock/memory 12V radio feed (yellow wire) seems to be a bit of a hog. When I disconnect it (pull out the fuse), I can start the car after leaving it sitting for a month or two. However, when I leave it connected, I'm lucky if it st...
by kheston
Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:24 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder
Replies: 20
Views: 10963

Re: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder

Thanks for all the suggestions!<p>In the end, I went low-tech. I'm just adding a teaspoon of water to the bean hopper just prior to starting the grinder. Works great!<p>Still, I would much rather have gone with something Doc-Emmett-Brown-looking that made the wife nervous when I used it. Oh well!
by kheston
Fri Dec 05, 2003 8:12 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder
Replies: 20
Views: 10963

Re: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder

RonH is on to something. Maybe I should start a new thread entitled "electric starter for my gas grill" or "ignition coil rapid trigger circuit"<p>If a piezo electric device can do it so can lots of windings, right?
by kheston
Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:05 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder
Replies: 20
Views: 10963

Re: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder

It appears my only options are low tech, huh? Oh well, I guess moisture and grounds straps shall be my allies as I grind coffee.<p>I was really hoping for suggestions on a gizmo to build that would do something like what the Zerostat gun does. Thought it would go better with my propeller hat than wo...
by kheston
Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:39 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder
Replies: 20
Views: 10963

Re: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder

Found a link where a guy describes using a Zerostat gun to eliminate the static elec. in his burr grinder:<p> burr grinder <p>"Zerostat gun that uses a piezo electric gizmo to generate a neutralizing charge". Can I build such an animal? Will it cost less than the $40 they want for a ZeroSt...
by kheston
Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:24 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder
Replies: 20
Views: 10963

Re: eliminate static electricity from my burr grinder

I was kinda hoping for a static sucker circuit of sorts. Something that either pulled the charge off, no matter how little or increased it enough such that a grounding to earth would dissipate it. Don't know a whole bunch about the properties of static electricity, but was looking for something a li...
by kheston
Wed Dec 03, 2003 2:18 am
Forum: Computer Programming
Topic: ICL 9520 POS display
Replies: 1
Views: 3089

Re: ICL 9520 POS display

I toyed with a similar unit and remained foiled by the cabling until I finally woke up. I was using a straight thru cable rather than a null-modem cable. Maybe your problem is this simple?<p>If you are sure you have a good connection, the hex strings the unit expects to see are usually pretty simple...