[pangolin]

I'm new here and converting from a windoze/toughbook/rose point system to a Mac mini/MacENC system. My instruments are a Nexus system. I now have a longer (~20ft) run from the NX2 server to the mini and am trying to figure out the best wiring: I believe RS232 can tolerates longer runs than USB but the cables are harder to come by whereas USB are abundant. On the other hand the DB9 connectors are more of a pain to pass through bulkheads, etc. So is it best to go:

1) NX2 RS232 out->USB-serial converter -> USB extension cable -> mini

or

2) NX2 RS232 out ->DB9 cable for majority of distance ->USB-serial converter -> mini +/- a short USB extender?

Is it unrealistic to expect no signal degradation problems over this distance?

Thanks

Pat
s/v Pangolin

[Jade]

Hi Pat,

If it were my boat, I'd run a 4 wire twisted pair cable (18 AWG) from the NX2 RS232 port to the USB-serial converter on the mini. This should do for runs up to 25' without degradation. The DB9 can be soldered (or pin crimped) after you pull the cable through to the mini.

[pangolin]

Thanks for the reply. So essentially cannibalize a serial cable using the suggested intermediate cable type to get the desired length and go direct into the converter and then the mac?

Pat

[Jade]

Yes, that's the way I would do it. The cable and DB9 kits can usually be found at electronic shops like Radio Shack.

The RS232 pinouts may be in your NX2 manual. If not, this site has a wealth of information on the subject:
http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/cable/RS-232.html

(Typically, you only need 3 wires (pin 2-receive, pin 3-send, pin 5-signal ground).

You may be able to rig up a test before pulling the cable by using a coil of the cable if you can temporarily place the mini close to the NX2.

[GPSNavX]

Or we have an easy crimp on female DB-9 connector. Contact me: gpsnavx at mac dot com for more details.

[dvint1]

Have you thought of using a wifisnap dongle from serialIO and going wireless to the mini?

We are in the process of doing this ourselves so we can have a display that we can move around, and take on deck.