Re: 1-wire to USB converter that can use 1820s directly

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Its clearly a lot cleaner to use one of the existing USB ports
> than to need to add another PCI card to support serial ports.

On one of my older machines we had need of eight serial ports for a bunch of
terminals and various other I/O devices.  I forget the brand (it was quite a few
years ago that I did this) but I installed a PCI card with an RS485 port.  To
this I connected a port expander with 16 RS232 (convertible to RS485 but I
didn't need that) ports.  The operating system was THEOS though the kit came
with a driver disk for Windows as well.

The entire system was extremely simple to set up and use.  The hardware ran 24/7
for many years without a hitch.  We sold the business and the computer system
with it six years ago.  To the best of my knowledge it's still running today.  I
wish I could say the same for some of my other PC equipment.

> Serial ports done that way arent that easy to support in VBA
> either, support for non standard serial ports is pretty poor.

Anything is easy if you know how.  I don't write code but folks I work with
develop software for industrial PC's and they don't seem to have much of a
problem.  I'm not trying to belittle your skills, friend.  But I think you're
unnecessarily constricting your project by ignoring other possible solutions.

FWIW, some of the alarm system configuration software I regularly use requires a
serial port and will not function at all using a USB-serial converter.  Some of
the other software functions perfectly with either type.  What I'm trying to say
is that nothing is 100% better or worse.

On another note, I haven't followed this thread very closely so forgive me if I
got it wrong but did you indicate you plan to use telco cables (the flat "satin"
stuff) to wire up this system in multiple rooms?  If so, I'd strongly advise you
to reconsider.  That's an area where I have extensive knowledge and hands-on
experience.  You really don't want to try to use that kind of cable for
permanent wiring of any sort.  More importantly, you don't want to run it
through walls (code violation).  It's a royal PITO to splice, does not take well
to being stapled in place and is not robust enough for anything other than it's
intended purpose -- as a flexible cord to plug telephones into nearby wall
jacks.

If that is not your intention, ignore the above paragraph.  :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com

--

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.