Serial to USB adaptor

[Prorac1]

I have an AKM cable with a serial plug on it. I just bought a new laptop with a USB port only on it. I know they make adaptors, but will they cause problems with data transfer? I have heard of people having problems with the adaptors when trying to program theyre ECM. It loses contact with the ECM and smokes it. What are peoples experiences with these adaptors? Or should I just get a new second half for my old cable that has the USB on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Eric L

[n2ocamaro]

I use a Quatec serial card (SSP-100). It adapts the card slot to a serial port. I have not had any problems and I have had this for about 6 years.

[Wooshie]

I use a radio shack serial to usb adapter. You just have to install the driver for the cable. I have been using mine like this for a year problem free.

[Prorac1]

http://www.usbgear.com/Serial-usb-adapter/index.cfm

Would one like this work as well? $150 seems a little steep for the other one? For that much money I could just build a whole new cable.

[Joker Z28]

Look one up on Ebay, you can find them from china for probably 3 or 4 bucks shipped...

[Prorac1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-TO-SERIAL-RS232-DB9-9-PIN-ADAPTER-CABLE-PDA-GPS_W0QQitemZ230389570256QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item35a449dad0

Something like this would work? What is up with the FTDI stuff? Is it nescessary? What benefits does it provide? Thanks, Eric L

[Joker Z28]

If thats the connection you need then why not.
I orderd one from ebay came from China it was a 9 to a 15 pin works just fine.

[Prorac1]

I have heard of people having problems when going from a serial to USB. Anyone ever hear of this. Thanks Eric L

[n2ocamaro]

Back in the days of the LT1Edit email list, I heard of people having problems with them. That's why I went with a network card adapter.

[MoeHorsePower]

I have heard of people having problems when going from a serial to USB. Anyone ever hear of this. Thanks Eric L


Yes, Back then I gave up, I tried 3 different adapters, Belkin or something like that and two others, either they didn't work at all or like the Belkin, I fried a couple of pcm's due to loss of connection during programming..

[Tony Shepherd]

Just get the other half USB cable from AKMcables. It is cheap enough and you know it works.

[Prorac1]

Thank you for the responses guys. Yeah, I have sent an email to andrew at AKM and am waiting for a response. I just have to find out if the driver for the USB cable driver is supported by windows 7. Thanks Eric L

[Formula383]

The drivers work fine on Windows 7. I've been using Tuner CATS and Datamaster on Win7 with the AKM USB cable for several months now.