[Resolved] How to make your own 1G data logger cable

[wings9191]

Dam looked at the thread again(the one you posted)is out of stock
Oh well i'll keep looking.
I noticed everything it Palm, how about iPaq?
Does any of the software work on iPaq's you know?

 

[91stocker]

Im not sure on that one. What os does the ipaq use? Is it apple related? I use to use a palm emulator on my laptop for using the MMCD software. There may be something like that you could use. That would probably be a good question to ask on the development thread for that cable. Unless someone here knows more about it.

 

[wings9191]

It's running windows mobile 2003.
But thinking about it if i can plug that in then i can use my laptop.
Screw it i guess i'll just spend the $30 and call it a day hehehe

 

[bastarddsm]

I use the simple one above with my older dell laptop running winXP The only issue was that you need a null modem to be able to use it.

 

[Rollinukwn]

Sooo u can just buy a obd1 to usb and run TMO Data-logging on the laptop now?

 

[Dimiter]

Hi guys, I have some troubles with data logging and I decided to ask here, in this old thread.

Here is the problem:
1st I bought Palm T|X with Hotsync USB cable, when I already was check that it is compatibilite in this thread:
http://digitaltuning.com/index.php?pid=faq_pda_list
I flashed the MMCd and then I started to build a cable. I got from a friend USB serial adapter something like this:https://www.cables.co.za/usb-to-serial-converter.html
USB double female connector, to able the connection between a serial adapter and the hotsync cable.
I bought a female db9 connector and I soldered the diode and resistor like in this thread: https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/how-to-set-up-mmcd-make-a-logging-cable.203316/
And finally I attached the cables to the car ALDL, but and here is no any data pulled from the ECU.
When I attach the serial adapter to hotsync cable, I hear the "beep" from the Palm, but there is no any data.
Also I have tried to direct read ECU with the same configuration, but thru the laptop - Palm emulator runs good with mmcd 1.5d, but no any actual data too... (look at the video bellow)

NOW I has checked a tons of info and what I figured out.
1st I can't connect my Palm TX in any ways thru the usb with my car
2nd I decide to make a direct cable for PC like in this thread: https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/the-easy-way-to-make-a-1g-usb-datalogging-cable.424006/ BUT here in Bulgaria we don't have that kind of cables. I did a research and I found that I can buy other FTDI serial adapter with same( almost) chipset - FT232RL.
Like I read here, there is no any big differences, the RL is just a better or newer version, right?
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/262448/differences-in-the-rs232-series

The question is - Is it work fine just like the FT232RQ or it will not?

Here is the tech specs of the cables for reference:
1. The cable from the thread above: https://www.mouser.bg/datasheet/2/163/DS_USB_RS232_CABLES-13986.pdf
2. The one that I found here localy: https://store.comet.bg/download-file.php?id=17685

P.S. I also checked this site, but I can't figure it out what is the exact cable type?? http://mmcdlogger.sourceforge.net/
All advices will be highly appreciated!
Dimiter

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[steve]

I doubt some sort of dual conversion from Palm to USB - USB to RS232 is going to work, so I'd expect to need the first cable to hotsync your Palm to your computer and a serial hotsync cable with a datalogging adapter for the Palm. Lastly a USB to serial cable with a datalogging adapter for the PC to use the Palm Emulator.

If you can find a FTDI to RS232 cable like the one in this spec https://www.mouser.bg/datasheet/2/163/DS_USB_RS232_CABLES-13986.pdf Then you can make a USB to 1G datalogger cable that will work for the PC running the Palm Emulator like the thread describes. If you can only find the second one you'll have to make an adapter to the 1G DLC and it may also work with the Palm serial hotsync cable if both cables present the same sex and type of RS-232 connector (male/female, DTE/DCE) Check to see which pins TX and RX are on.

 

[bastarddsm]

Steve, do you know if the FTDI RS232 cables you linked will work with the passive circuit, or will it need a Max232 type circuit? This is really getting to be a lost art. Since I went to my own stand alone, I've barely worked on stock ecu stuff.

 

[Dimiter]

I doubt some sort of dual conversion from Palm to USB - USB to RS232 is going to work, so I'd expect to need the first cable to hotsync your Palm to your computer and a serial hotsync cable with a datalogging adapter for the Palm. Lastly a USB to serial cable with a datalogging adapter for the PC to use the Palm Emulator.

If you can find a FTDI to RS232 cable like the one in this spec https://www.mouser.bg/datasheet/2/163/DS_USB_RS232_CABLES-13986.pdf Then you can make a USE to 1G datalogger cable that will work for the PC running the Palm Emulator like the thread describes. If you can only find the second one you'll have to make an adapter to the 1G DLC and it may also work with the Palm serial hotsync cable if both cables present the same sex and type of RS-232 connector (male/female, DTE/DCE) Check to see which pins TX and RX are on.

Hello,
Dear Steve,

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. So, please see my current set up.
I have used this rs232 adapter to attach the Palm. Also I has tried to connect it direct to the PC, but don't work too.

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This it the usb female/ female that I used.

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The problem is that there is no options for my Palm TX to find a hotsync serial cable...
Here is the passive cable that I made for the ALDL.

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One more thing that I learn is that my Palm get stuck when I release the "Pause button". Then I need to perform Reset from the button on the back.

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The Palm OS is 5.4.9 and I suspect that is not compatible with the MMCd. In the first try, when the cable was attached to the car, I think, it isn't stuck. But now in every try, it "freeze" (not attached to the car).

The cable, that I can buy here is this one:
https://store.comet.bg/download-file.php?id=15727
https://store.comet.bg/download-file.php?id=1463
P.S. now I saw that this TTL need a MAX232 to invert the signal, so it will not work...

or this:
https://store.comet.bg/download-file.php?id=17685
https://store.comet.bg/download-file.php?id=1966

I think if some of these will work with my PC (win 10), I will can run it on the Palm too?

 

[steve]

Steve, do you know if the FTDI RS232 cables you linked will work with the passive circuit, or will it need a Max232 type circuit? This is really getting to be a lost art. Since I went to my own stand alone, I've barely worked on stock ecu stuff.

RTS91TSI's thread describes making a passive interface using that cable. I can't say offhand without investigating and I'm not really motivated to do it.

The docs show that the cable has both a FT232RQ USB to serial and a RS232 Level Shifter (like a MAX232) which would make sense.

 

[Dimiter]

At final, I bought a FTDI USB RS232 cable (like the one from quoted thread) from Farnell and it operate perfect with EvoScan.
Thanks for the help, guys.