USB/GPS laptop link

[Guest]

Many thanks for all the interest and response to my query re inverters and PC chart software last week - now the next problem - as forseen by one respondent.

I finally settled on the Maplin 300w inverter (£50) which should be OK but I have not tried in in anger yet. It appears to me it could run out of steam when faced with a flat laptop battery which could draw 1.8 amps @ 240V according to the rating of the laptop charger. I suspect this may be over generous and short term but time will tell.

Newish laptops do not have a 9 or 24 pin serial port only USB and the software people (Maptech in my case) have not yet caught up with this. Is it possible to conect a USB plug onto the lead in place of the Serial or is it more complicated than that?

If so what are the connections to make?

thanks in advance

Brian




brian mackenzie

 

[Barnacle]

It is possible to buy serial to USB adaptors in several forms, but whether this will work with the software you have is a different matter I suspect!

 

[dick_james]

I very much doubt the charger will take 1.8A @ 240v, that's 430 watts. You would be able to cook your breakfast on it.

 

[TonyMS]

The cheapest USB/RS232 adapter I have found is on http://www.secure-server-centre.com/eurotech/datasheet.php?partno=E7523 at £29.95

 

[Guest]

If a straightforward usb/serial adapter doesn't work PC world do a costly (£90) hub adapter which should do the trick.
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/store/mart...jfdglffbedcfgmcfcki.0&page=Product&sku=041498

 

[pandroid]

The amerage rating may be misleading. I've actually measured mine and using a DC/DC convertor, the average laptop draws about 3 to 3.5 Amps @ 12v when charging, and 1-2 Amps when fully charged. The wattage rating (usually on the base of the laptop) is the useful thing

 

[rogerm]

A serial port and USB 'Universal Serial Buss' sound like similar things but they go about it in a totally incompatible way. So there is no way you can make an adaptor lead between the one and the other. But as someone else says you can buy an adaptor that provides a serial port from a USB port. There are also adaptors for parallel ports, mice, keyboards and most anything else it is possible to connect to a PC. One of the cheapest places to obtain these is www.novatech.co.uk. They are a mail order outfit but are in the vicinity of Portsmouth if you prefer to do it face to face.
Roger

 

[stefan_r]

have a look at a message:
http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/new/foru...umber=14431&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post14431

'cos I asked the same question and was told it wouldn't work thru USB

mailto: stefan@athito.com

 

[Apetts]

See 'New Computers' about three/four weeks ago. Some USB converters are designed to work with plug in and play devices only. I have tried one, the ATEN, with maptech - it did not work. In fact it would not connect any of my serial devices.

 

[robp]

Right next door to Vosper Thorneycroft/Halmatic. Across the way from Port Solent.