Using New PC's

USB <-> RS232 Adapter

When both the AGFECS DFMS-500 and the AGFECS DFMS-2000 were designed, RS-232 connections were the common way to connect a PC to them. USB connections were not even thought of with the DFMS-500, and were only just starting when we started developing the DFMS-2000.

Now, it is hard to get a RS-232 connection in a computer, and impossible if you wish to use a LapTop.

There is an easy solution though – to use a USB to RS-232 adapter.

BUT, be warned – very few of these will work reliably (so we found out to our expense $$)

We did quite a bit of searching, and we finally found an adaptor that will work reliably. THese are available from Dontronics and are the EasySync Premium GOLD USB-RS232 Adapter  with a 10 CM cable,  Cat No: US232R-10.

These connectors will happily connect your PC or LapTop to the AGFECS Dairy Systems, the only thing is that you need to set the Comm port number to what the number is encoded into the adapter.

This is easily found on going to [Start], [Control Panel], [System', [Hardware], [Device Manager]. This will bring up a list of all the hardware and devices on the computer, and in looking at Ports (COM & LPT) you will find a list of the used ports, and it will show the new Adapter and it's port number (COMxx).

Communications Cables

AGFECS can make and supply the special adapter cables needed, or you can buy the parts to make up a cable from Altronics or Jaycar.

There are several combinations that you can use:

• Altronics DB25 to DB9 Serial Cable (P 1740) plus DB25 to DB25 Gender-Bender (P 1716)
  
• Jaycar DB25 to DB7 Serial Cable (WC-7516) plus DB25 to DB25 Gender-Bender (PA0884)
  
• Jaycar DB25 to DB9 Adapter (PA-0882) plus DB9 to DB9 Gender-Bender (PA- 0901) and a USB Extension Cable (WC-7702)
  

It is possible to get longer cables that the ones listed here, or for AGFECS to make a cable to a length that will suit your needs.