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Xantrex: using db-9 on xantrex for monitoring
http://solar-guppy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=642		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  gary80920 [ Mon May 26, 2008 11:00 pm GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  Xantrex: using db-9 on xantrex for monitoring
Hello,

I am getting my system installed in the next couple of weeks, and I am trying to get everything ready before the system comes online.

I will have 3 Xantrex GT units installed in my basement. And I will be using 3 copies of sg-view to monitor the units.

I need to know if the holes at the bottom of the unit where the rs-232 plugs are located are 33mm(1 5/16 in) or more in diameter as this is the size of the db-9 connector? Otherwise, I will need to decide how I want to do the RJ-45 conversion. (any suggestions)

Thanks!
Author:  Solar Guppy [ Tue May 27, 2008 8:04 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject: 
Only pins #2,#3 and #5 are used in the RS232 cable and a standard shell won't fit thru the openings. I have always used cat5 wire ( roll from Home Depot ) and just soldered on db9 connectors as its so few wires
Author:  mike90045 [ Tue May 27, 2008 9:57 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  Re: using db-9 on xantrex for monitoring
I too, have just used a simple DB-9 connector soldered onto the wire. I use a short piece of heat shrink tube over each pin. My cable was a shielded twisted pair. With no backshell, it fit thru the knockout of the inverter. Inside the inverter, there is a clear plastic shield to separate the high voltage area from the data lines.

Running several inverters, you may want to peek at this style of connector interface: http://yost.com/computers/RJ45-serial/ You may benefit from using the db9-RJ45 adapters, but would :
1) adapt the wires to the GT pinout
2) never connect to the Xanbus RJ connector (which has voltage in it)

Actually, I think it's a bad idea to use RJ connectors, because of the Xanbus power and damage probability, so forget this idea for GT inverters.

( I'll leave it here because the Yost idea is so elegant. )
Author:  gary80920 [ Tue May 27, 2008 11:44 pm GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  Thanks for the info! 1 last question
Thanks Guys! :-)

To make sure, the Xantrex units have a female DB-9 connector.
Author:  mike90045 [ Wed May 28, 2008 10:31 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  re:1 last question
Yep, GT inverters have a DB9 connector (I forget if it's M or F)

Your laptop or whatever, also will need 3 serial ports, and I understand that simple USB-Serial adapters work well enough. Opto-Isolators are not required.
Author:  Solar Guppy [ Wed May 28, 2008 10:37 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject: 
Keep in mind, the cheap single port usb to serial dongles don't work well with more than one installed in a PC system, the drivers are not written to be multithreaded, so if you have two connected, they won't work and I have seen blue screens on XP systems!

For all my multiport needs I use edgeport usb-serial boxes, this are commerial grade units ..

One on eBay now is a good deal for an 8 port box

http://cgi.ebay.com/Inside-Out-Edgeport ... dZViewItem

I pay 25 - 75 dollars for these units on eBay, they are 200+ new
Author:  mike90045 [ Wed May 28, 2008 12:51 pm GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  serial ports
Solar Guppy wrote:
Keep in mind, the cheap single port usb to serial dongles don't work well with more than one installed in a PC system, the drivers are not written to be multithreaded, so if you have two connected, they won't work and I have seen blue screens on XP systems!

For all my multiport needs I use edgeport usb-serial boxes, this are commerial grade units ..

One on eBay now is a good deal for an 8 port box

http://cgi.ebay.com/Inside-Out-Edgeport ... dZViewItem

I pay 25 - 75 dollars for these units on eBay, they are 200+ new


That's good to know. I knew a single works just fine. I thought it would scale up, but I guess not.
Author:  jza80 [ Wed May 28, 2008 3:37 pm GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
To make sure, the Xantrex units have a female DB-9 connector.


Right, female.
Author:  gary80920 [ Thu May 29, 2008 9:53 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject:  Thanks!
Thanks!
Author:  Iboc [ Thu May 29, 2008 9:58 am GMT EthGMT ]
Post subject: 
I just ordered a standard 50' cable and used a file to make a groove for it to fit in near the lower right of the wiring box lid. Worked fine, looks like it was made that way.
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