neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I'm having trouble with my light o rama hardware this year. When I plug in the rs485 converter windows tells me that "One of the usb devices connected to this computer has malfunctioned" and it shows up as an unknown device in device manager. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the driver which did not help. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Check to see what happens when you plug it into a different USB port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 The same thing. I have also tried a couple different computers with the same result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 It sounds like you may have to replace the device, around $30.00 from Light-O-Ramahttp://store.lightorama.com/uscoad.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Are there any alternatives that I might be able to find locally? With only a week til Christmas I'd hate to be without for the better part of next week waiting on shipping.I'm assuming something like this http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2806154 wouldn't work since it's not really ethernet but a usb to serial converter using the rs485 protocol?I think I could find a usb to serial converter with a serial connection locally but a usb to serial converter with an ethernet port might be a stretch. What do you all think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 No that will not work, It is set up for ethernet voltages and pin outs. Even if you find a USB to Serial converter you still need to convert that serial(RS232) to RS485. there are other places to get USB to RS485 Converters but I think you are still going to hve to wait on shipping. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Ok I did a little more research and I was confusing some terms. Here is what I think I know based on 10 minutes of research rs232 - common serial protocol for short range communicationsrs485 - long range serial protocolrj45 - ethernet portdb9 - 9 pin serial portI think I can find a usb to rs232 converter locally. However, it's going to be a db9 connector not rj45. They sell db9 to rj45 cables locally too. My questions is, since I'm in a pinch will rs232 work for a 30 foot run to the controller or does it have to be rs485? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 kzaas wrote: No that will not work, It is set up for ethernet voltages and pin outs. Even if you find a USB to Serial converter you still need to convert that serial(RS232) to RS485. there are other places to get USB to RS485 Converters but I think you are still going to hve to wait on shipping. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.Hey, thanks kzaas. Sorry did see your post before I hit "post". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 RS232 runs on 12VDC for its communication voltages where RS485 is only aout 3-4 VDC. You will most likely damage your comm chip in your controller.I see your profile does not list your loction. Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 I'm a old planet christmas forum user so I haven't setup my profile here yet. I'm in Louisville, KY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I wish you were closer because I have a serial to RS485 Converter I could let you borrow for the season but it would take just as long in shipping as Light-O-Rama's would. Sorry as you can see I'm in California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 I appreciate the offer, it's the thought that counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo8820 Posted December 18, 2010 Author Share Posted December 18, 2010 Any idea what could have caused the converter to spontaneously stop working? I'm worried about a short in the Ethernet cable perhaps sent voltage over a wire that shouldn't get it. I'm wondering if I should replace my cable too just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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