[GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on ASR33

Rob Jarratt robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com
Mon Mar 25 18:40:26 EDT 2013


What I have tried is to configure the current loop side of the converter
into a loopback. When I do this the characters sent from the computer are
echoed back. I am using a terminal emulator to do this. Furthermore, when I
send a Break I see the current drop to zero (when the transmit side of the
converter is configured to be active - ie provide current).

So it would seem that the converter is working.

Regards

Rob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:greenkeys-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Simon Claessen
> Sent: 25 March 2013 12:16
> To: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on ASR33
> 
> did you try to connect just a bulb or led to the output terminals of your
> converter to see if anything comes out at all?
>   a led shoud have a series and parallel resistor to limit its current to
10mA
> max at about 2 volts.you shoud be able to see if blinking very rapid when
> sending repeatedly some carracters like ryryry
> 
> simon
> 
> On 24-03-13 18:25, Rob Jarratt wrote:
> > I have some additional information which may help to resolve this.
> >
> > I tried connecting my digital multimeter into the transmit circuit
> > while the current loop converter is connected to the Teletype. While
> > the Teletype is switched off or in Local mode I can see 20mA going
> > through the multimeter. When I switch it to Online mode the current
> jumps to 47mA.
> >
> > This made me think that perhaps the Teletype is providing the current,
> > even though I thought it wasn't supposed to. So I tried configuring
> > the current loop converter to be in passive mode on the transmit
circuit.
> > When I did this and switched the Teletype to Online mode, it did not
> > immediately start to chatter (run open), but I saw only about 10mA
> > flowing. After a short time though the current dropped somewhat and it
> > started to chatter again.
> >
> > When I tried sending a Break from the computer to the Teletype the
> > current did not change.
> >
> > Does this offer any different clues now?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > *From:*greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> > [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] *On Behalf Of *Rob Jarratt
> > *Sent:* 16 March 2013 20:19
> > *To:* 'Alf Fisher'; 'Teletypeparts'; greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> > *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on ASR33
> >
> > It has been a little while since I looked at my ASR33 problem. Just to
> > refresh everyone: In Online mode I can send characters from the ASR33
> > to the computer, but the characters coming back do not print. It works
> > perfectly in Local mode. I have checked and it is full duplex 20ma,
> > which matches the setup of my current loop converter and I am using
> > 110bps, 7 data bits, 2 stop bits and Even parity. The ASR33 does not
> > chatter (run open) when connected to the converter.
> >
> > Today I tried sending a break from the PC to the Teletype. It did not
> > chatter when I sent the break. I verified with a multimeter that the
> > current goes to zero, so I am definitely sending the break.
> >
> > Does this offer any clues?
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > *From:*Alf Fisher [mailto:alf_fisher at tiscali.co.uk]
> > *Sent:* 24 February 2013 21:39
> > *To:* r.jarratt at computer.org <mailto:r.jarratt at computer.org>;
> > 'Teletypeparts'; greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> > <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> > *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on ASR33
> >
> > Hi Rob,
> >
> > I'm sure others will agree but I believe the ASR33 doesn't actually
> > need a high voltage source as there is a transistor circuit that
> > actually drives the electromagnet.  I reckon 20 volts with a resistor
> > to limit the current to 20 mA should work.
> >
> > Is it possible with the Westermo, to loop-back the TTY to itself so
> > you can print what you type? I don't know what is in the converter but
> > another way may be to bridge the Tx & Rx pins on the Westermo RS232
> port
> >   (pins 2 & 3?).  It should work the same as being in Local but you
> > are switched to Line.
> >
> > Alf
> >
> >     ----- Original Message -----
> >
> >     *From:*Rob Jarratt <mailto:robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com>
> >
> >     *To:*r.jarratt at computer.org <mailto:r.jarratt at computer.org> ;
> >     'Teletypeparts' <mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com> ;
> >     greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> >
> >     *Sent:*Sunday, February 24, 2013 11:55 AM
> >
> >     *Subject:*Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     I have not looked at this problem for a week or so but will be
> >     looking again today. To summarise, I can send characters from the
> >     Teletype to my computer successfully, but any characters I send from
> >     the computer to the Teletype do not print out.
> >
> >     So far I have verified that the ASR33 is wired for 20ma Full Duplex
> >     and that my Westermo converter works, because I can connect up the
> >     current loop interface into a loopback configuration and I get the
> >     characters I send on the RS232 side echoed back. I am using my RS232
> >     port set at 110bits/sec, 7 data bits, 2 stop bits and even parity.
> >     The battery test suggested by Teletypeparts has not worked though.
> >     The only things I have yet to check are:
> >
> >     1.Is the mode relay inside the CCU is operating correctly? I used a
> >     multi-meter to test that the contacts were made and broken
> >     correctly. It looks to be making and breaking contacts OK for the
> >     most part. One of the contacts (AM-15) seems a little bent,
> >     requiring the relay to close completely to break the contact. As the
> >     bend was such that the contact might not open correctly, I tried
> >     isolating it with some paper, but it didn't seem to make any
> >     difference. A couple of contact pairs showed shorts regardless of
> >     the relay position, but the relay was fully wired in, so this might
> >     be expected. The constantly shorted pairs are AM-9 with AM-8, and
> >     AM-1 and AM-2. Is there a simple way to test the relay with a
> >     battery? I am not sure what voltage and current it would need.
> >
> >     2.The voltage provided by the converter. I am told it needs to be
> >     80V and some converters do rather less, perhaps 20V. I have a
> >     multi-meter, but in this case I am not sure where to measure the
> >     voltage, I have tried T+ and T- with respect to the converter's
> >     Shield connection and with respect to the TTY's earth but I don't
> >     get any more than about 1 volt, this is whether I am sending
> >     characters or not.
> >
> >     Any ideas?
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Rob
> >
> >     *From:*greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> >     [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] *On Behalf Of *Rob
> Jarratt
> >     *Sent:* 10 February 2013 23:10
> >     *To:* 'Teletypeparts'; greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> >     *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     I tried a loopback test on my Westermo converter and that worked
> >     fine when looping back from PC back to PC through the current loop.
> >     I tried looping back from the TTY side via the RS232 interface and
> >     there was no echo.
> >
> >     I then tried the battery test you mentioned and unfortunately that
> >     failed to work too.
> >
> >     I think the problem must be inside the 33. L
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Rob
> >
> >     *From:*Teletypeparts [mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com]
> >     *Sent:* 10 February 2013 22:28
> >     *To:* r.jarratt at computer.org <mailto:r.jarratt at computer.org>;
> >     greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> >     *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     Rob,
> >
> >     I have heard of the interfaces being bad but I am afraid I have
> >     exhausted my limited knowledge of interfacing.  Some of the guys on
> >     Greenkeys may be able to help you.
> >
> >     If you want to eliminate the 33 as a problem completely do the
> >     following:
> >
> >     Short together 4 and 6 and apply a 9 volt batt to 3 and 7.  Again,
> >     if it runs open reverse polarity on 3 and 7.  Do the test in Line
> >     mode.  After you have the 33 running closed, type a few characters.
> >     If they print OK the trouble is not in the 33.  I still dont
> >     recommend leaving the batt on very long.  A minute or so.  It may
> >     not harm anything, but just to be sure keep the time short.
> >
> >     What you have done is make the 33 half duplex (2 wire) and tested it
> >     in line mode.  I do that all the time here to check out the 33 in
> >     Line mode.  I also use a test generator, but before I had that I
> >     used the 9 volt batt test.
> >
> >     Wayne
> >
> >     -----Original Message-----
> >     From: Rob Jarratt <robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com
> >     <mailto:robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com>>
> >     To: 'Teletypeparts' <teletypeparts at aol.com
> >     <mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com>>; greenkeys
> >     <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>>
> >     Sent: Sun, Feb 10, 2013 4:28 pm
> >     Subject: RE: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     I do understand about the echo that is needed to get characters to
> >     print in line mode. I am using a terminal emulator on the PC to
> >     receive and display the characters I type on the ASR33, and I type
> >     characters into the terminal emulator to send them to the ASR33 in
> >     the hope they will be printed. The emulator successfully displays
> >     the characters I type into the ASR33, but the ASR33 does not print
> >     the characters I type into the emulator, despite the Westermo LEDs
> >     showing activity which suggests it is receiving the characters from
> >     the emulator and sending them on to the ASR33.
> >
> >     I had to re-read about start bits because I had forgotten about
> >     them. I think start bits are always present, so there is no setting
> >     to control them. So basically, I think I am already using 1 start
> >     bit, 7 data bits, one parity bit and 2 stop bits, but nothing is
> >     getting printed. I am using a line speed of 110 bits/sec, which in
> >     this case corresponds to 110 baud too.
> >
> >     I suppose the Westermo converter could be faulty and not sending
> >     data out to the ASR33. Unless anyone has any other suggestions I'll
> >     try a loopback test on the converter to see if it is working.
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Rob
> >
> >     *From:*greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> >     [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net?>] *On Behalf Of
> >     *Teletypeparts
> >     *Sent:* 10 February 2013 18:20
> >     *To:* r.jarratt at computer.org <mailto:r.jarratt at computer.org>;
> >     greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> >     *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     Rob,
> >
> >     Read on as I put something important below.
> >
> >     I guess the voltage doesnt need to be 80 or more.  It may run OK
> >     with less.  The norm is 20 MA at 120 VDC.
> >
> >     I dont know anything about the Westermo, but I know that when you
> >     send to the computer from the 33 the computer needs to be
> programmed
> >     to echo back to get a copy on the 33.
> >
> >     When you type in Local, the print is pretty much instant.  When you
> >     type in Line thru the computer you will see a slight delay, not much
> >     but enough to notice.
> >
> >     The 33 doesnt care about parity on its receive side, it will print
> >     whatever the bits from 1 to 7 are.  The 33 is 110 baud, not sure
> >     what that converts to in computer language.
> >
> >     Oh and this is important, you need a START bit which is always a
> >     zero or a space or no current which all terms seem to be
> >     interchangeable.   The rest you got correct.  Its one start bit, 7
> >     data bits, one parity bit and 2 stop bits.  The 33 will run with 1
> >     stop bit, but its normal to give it two when you can.
> >
> >     If you put the START bit in, I bet it will work.
> >
> >     Wayne
> >
> >     -----Original Message-----
> >     From: Rob Jarratt <robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com
> >     <mailto:robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com>>
> >     To: 'Teletypeparts' <teletypeparts at aol.com
> >     <mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com>>; greenkeys
> >     <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>>
> >     Sent: Sun, Feb 10, 2013 5:36 am
> >     Subject: RE: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     I made some great progress, with one last hurdle to overcome.
> >
> >     I configured the Westermo to be in active mode (ie supply current)
> >     on both its receive and transmit sides). This cured the problem with
> >     the RD light on the Westermo being on all the time and it stopped
> >     the chattering too.
> >
> >     I connected it up to a terminal emulator running on my PC. When I
> >     press a key on the ASR33 the corresponding character appears on the
> >     terminal emulator. However, when I try to send characters from the
> >     terminal emulator to the ASR33 nothing happens. I am using 110bps, 7
> >     data bits, even parity and 2 stop bits.
> >
> >     As the chattering has stopped, does this mean that the Westermo's
> >     transmit side is set up correctly now?
> >
> >     Am I using the right serial port settings?
> >
> >     Could the Westermo not be outputting the right voltage? It is a 20ma
> >     interface, but the manual does not say anything about the voltage
> >     which you say needs to be 80V or more.
> >
> >     What else might prevent the characters from being printed out?
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Rob
> >
> >     *From:*Teletypeparts [mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com
> >     <mailto:teletypeparts at aol.com?>]
> >     *Sent:* 09 February 2013 20:30
> >     *To:* r.jarratt at computer.org <mailto:r.jarratt at computer.org>;
> >     greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> >     *Subject:* Re: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on
> > ASR33
> >
> >     Rob,
> >
> >     The 33 should chatter or run open when in Line mode and not
> >     connected to anything.  The reading of a short is normal as on 3 and
> >     4 you are basically looking at a switch, the distributor of the 33.
> >     Same reading on 6 and 7 as I recall.
> >
> >     Neither side of the 33 generates any current.  The receive wants 20
> >     MA at 80 volts or more and the send will accept whatever the
> >     interface gives it, usually 12 or 15 volts.
> >
> >     A quick test you can do is wire a 9 volt batt to 6 and 7 while in
> >     line mode.  You have a 50/50 chance of getting the polarity
> >     correct.  If still running open, reverse the leads.  The 33 should
> >     run closed.  Dont leave the batt connected for a long time.  You
> >     have now verified the 33 will run closed in Line mode and you need
> >     to proceed with the adapter stuff of which I know very little.
> >
> >     I believe the Send side of the Westmo should be set to active to
> >     generate 20 MA current for 6 and 7 of the 33.
> >
> >     Dont know about the Westmo receive side.
> >
> >     Hope this helps,
> >
> >     Wayne
> >
> >     -----Original Message-----
> >     From: Rob Jarratt <robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com
> >     <mailto:robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com>>
> >     To: greenkeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>>
> >     Sent: Sat, Feb 9, 2013 7:22 am
> >     Subject: [GreenKeys] Current Loop to RS-232 Conversion on ASR33
> >
> >     I emailed this list a little while ago about getting my ASR33 to
> >     talk RS-232. I have since sourced a Westermo MA-21 current loop
> >     converter.
> >
> >     I have noticed however, that the ASR33 will "chatter" in line mode
> >     regardless of whether the current loop wires are connected to
> >     anything or not. When I plug it into the Westermo the RD light on
> >     the Westermo comes on even if the ASR33 is disconnected from the
> >     mains. The RD light is supposed to come on when it is receiving data
> >     from the line interface (manual here if you want to see it:
> >     http://www.westermosales.com/pdfs/MA-21manualENGSEDE.pdf),
> which
> >     makes no sense if the ASR33 is not even connected to the mains.
> >
> >     I have set both the receive and transmit side of the converter to
> >     passive mode for now (ie they don't generate the current), but I
> >     think the receive side of the converter will need to be set to be
> >     active so that it generates the current because the drawings of the
> >     ASR33 suggest that the ASR33 receive side generates current but the
> >     transmit side does not. In fact all the switches are set to the
> >     factory settings at the moment.
> >
> >     I tried switching the receive side of the converter to active and
> >     when I switched on the converter (with the ASR33 disconnected from
> >     the mains) the RD light did not come on this time.
> >
> >     I have also noticed that with the ASR33 disconnected from power the
> >     screw terminal pairs 3&4 and 6&7 appear to be shorted (ie 3 shorted
> >     to 4, 6 shorted to 7). I suspect this may be expected but I am not
sure.
> >
> >     I have wired screw terminals 3&4 on the ASR33 to the Receiver side
> >     of the Westemo, and 6&7 to the Transmitter side.
> >
> >     I wonder if there is a fault in the ASR33, should it chatter in line
> >     mode when it is not connected to anything?
> >
> >     Which side (if any) of the Westermo should be set to active to
> >     generate current?
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Rob
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Met vriendelijke Groet,
> 
> Simon Claessen
> drukknop.nl
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