6 replies to this topic

[riotgibbon]

Hi there, please excuse this basic question, but I'm wondering how to securely attach wires into the blue connector boards on my N+. I want to attach a CurrentCost energy meter, I've figured out that I need to take the TX lead off the energy monitor, and I even know now what colour cable that is - Pin 7, Brown & White: http://e.inste.in/20...ter-to-your-pc/ , Right, so, I've got hold of a LAN cable, I can see the coloured cables inside, I'm assuming I need to cut off one end and wire the appropriate cable into the Netduino, plus the ground. But those wires don't look very big, how do I make them stay securely in the blue connector? Do I need a special connector, is there some sort of crimp? thanks for any advice, I'm pretty new to this so appreciate any help you can give Toby

[Dan Morphis]

Hi there,

please excuse this basic question, but I'm wondering how to securely attach wires into the blue connector boards on my N+. I want to attach a CurrentCost energy meter, I've figured out that I need to take the TX lead off the energy monitor, and I even know now what colour cable that is - Pin 7, Brown & White: http://e.inste.in/20...ter-to-your-pc/ ,

Right, so, I've got hold of a LAN cable, I can see the coloured cables inside, I'm assuming I need to cut off one end and wire the appropriate cable into the Netduino, plus the ground. But those wires don't look very big, how do I make them stay securely in the blue connector? Do I need a special connector, is there some sort of crimp?


thanks for any advice, I'm pretty new to this so appreciate any help you can give

Toby

If your trying to figure out how to securely attach the wires to the digital / analog pins of the Netduino, get a protoshield from sparkfun. That will probably be the easiest, and most secure way. If you have the time and skills, you could also etch a shield yourself and just order a header kit. The later is how I'm going to handle it with my project.

[alanb]

Hi, When I got an N+ for christmas, I also asked for a Screwshield see http://wingshieldind...s/screwshield/. This is two little pcbs that plug into either side of my N+ allowing for quick and easy connections. Mine needed soldering together before it can be used but I got my son to do that. Alan

[Nevyn]

please excuse this basic question, but I'm wondering how to securely attach wires into the blue connector boards on my N+. I want to attach a CurrentCost energy meter, I've figured out that I need to take the TX lead off the energy monitor, and I even know now what colour cable that is - Pin 7, Brown & White: http://e.inste.in/20...ter-to-your-pc/ ,

Reading the article on the web site you have provided I'm not sure that you can link this directly. My understanding is that the meter is delivering signals using RS232 levels and the N+ needs signal levels at 3.3V. I'd investigate the levels as you may need a converter to go from RS232 to a level that the N+ can tolerate. If that's the case then you'll be rewiring anyway so the thin CAT5 wires won't be a problem.

If I've read this correctly I'd be looking to connect the CAT5 to a 9 pin RS232 connector to a converter board and then connect the output from that to the N+


FYI: There's a tutorial on RS232 here: http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/215

Hope this helps,
Mark

[riotgibbon]

Reading the article on the web site you have provided I'm not sure that you can link this directly. My understanding is that the meter is delivering signals using RS232 levels and the N+ needs signal levels at 3.3V. I'd investigate the levels as you may need a converter to go from RS232 to a level that the N+ can tolerate. If that's the case then you'll be rewiring anyway so the thin CAT5 wires won't be a problem.

If I've read this correctly I'd be looking to connect the CAT5 to a 9 pin RS232 connector to a converter board and then connect the output from that to the N+


FYI: There's a tutorial on RS232 here: http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/215

Hope this helps,
Mark

Hi Mark,

I think the chap at http://e.inste.in/20...ter-to-your-pc/ was just being contrary with the RS232 - the CC output is actually TTL and he converts it:

The CurrentCost device has a RJ-45 connector on the base that is used to output the data stream - note that this is not an ethernet connection! It is in fact outputting a TTL-level serial data stream at 9600 bits per second (baud). This means that all we need to do to feed this into a standard PC serial port is convert the TTL signal levels into RS232 signal levels.

thanks for the response though, I'm new to all of this, so it's a great education

T

[Steve Hall]

Hey Toby,

I don't use breadboards (meh) so I make up my own cables that look like these from parts that you can find on the net.

You can buy the wires and the end-peices (1,2,3,4 or 5 connections) seprately and make custom ones pretty easily. Solder on your own connectors where needed.

[Nevyn]

the CC output is actually TTL and he converts it:

Sorry about that - I read it the other way around - looks like you're right. 12 hours straight coding must have fogged my mind.

Regards,
Mark