looking for information on a gpib-rs232 part no: 191971C-01L

[ocmls]

I was loaned a NI GPIB-RS232 converter, part no. 191971C-01L.  I seem to be unable to communicate with the device

or through it.  I can't find any information on the NI web site for this particular device.   Does anyone have any

information, installation instructions, or electronic manuals?

I downloaded a configuration utility called "nigpibserialconvert10.exe".  It was unable to locate the device.  I've also tried

using a terminal emulator and rs232 monitoring software with no success.

PC: Win 2K

Serial connection to PC

GPIB connection to a DMM

RS232 cable: null modem

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Ryan_F]

Hey ocmls,

Try this link. I do not know if this is the exact device that you have, but if it is, then the manuals and installation instructions will be under the resources tab. If this is not your device, or you have further problems configuring the converter you have, let me know, and we will continue to troubleshoot.

Thank you and have a great day!

Ryan

[JasonSmith]

You will need to download the GPIB Serial Converter Software  which allows you to reconfigure the box to your desired mode of operation. All of the documentation for the device is in the help file which is installed with the utility.

-Jason S.

[ocmls]

Hi Ryan and Jason,

I downloaded the information and software from the NI website prior to posting this request.  The software is unable to

communicate with the unit.  I used a RS232 tester to monitor the connection signals and a RS232 monitor program to

capture the communication.  The unit is not replying to commands.  The RDY LED flashes when the unit is in the CFG

mode as if waiting on commands.

The reason I am asking for information is the NI label on the back side of the unit indicates "Product of Hungary (includes foreign content)".  I thought there may be something different than the information on your web site since the part

number differs greatly.

Mark 

[Ryan_F]

Hey ocmls,

Because the RDY light is flashing, the device is powered on in configuration mode. Your device might need to be configured using the NI GPIB-Serial Converter Wizard. I have attached the help file for this converter, open it and navigate to the troubleshooting section and left-click on the Using the NI GPIB-Serial Converter Wizard link. This wizard will walk you through configuring your converter.

Thank you,

Ryan

[Steven_T]

Hello ocmls,

One thing that could stop you from configuring the device is if you are using a 3 wire serial cable (TX, RX, Ground).  In configuration mode, you are requried to use hardware flow control.  If the hardware control lines (CTS/RTS) are not included in the cable, the converter will not respond to the configuration program.

I hope this helps,

Steven T.

[AlphaDynisco]

When using the Serial Converter is there any way to verify that the settings were applied correctly from another source?

Converted the GPIB-RS232 in default S Mode.  Application can not find the interface. 

With the GPIB-232CT-A the dip switches are exposed and can communicate with the device.

Not sure that the GPIB-RS232 has been updated correctly.

Thank you

[Ryan_F]

Hey Alpha,

Have you downloaded and installed NI Serial Converter Software? Can you provide further information about your application? Are you getting error messages or is the device simply not communicating? What do you mean when you ask "are the settings applied correctly from another source"?

Thank you,

Ryan

[AlphaDynisco]

The Serial Converter was used to set the parameters the same as the GPIB-232CT-A dip switches.  Not able to communicate through the GPIB interface.  Was skeptical that the set up worked for the new 232.  We would not be able to use the DLL provided for the 32-bit environment.  Would had to rewrite the application to communicate completely serially including the Returned error messages.

Purchased the USB-HS to use the DLL's with the old application.  Only issue we had was that we needed to include SendLLO(0) for the older Fluke PM6666.  The Bus was too fast for the communications.  Did not have to switch the bus settings through MAX.

The USB-HS speaks with the Keithley and the Older Fluke PM6666.

Even though we spent $549  for the Serial we are going with the $549 USB-HS for the solution.

The GPIB-RS232 would have had to run the 16bit application from the thumb drive to work.

Our old application can work off the Thumb drive due to the Thumb drive being FAT format.

We need to keep the GPIB-232CT-A for that the new GPIB-RS232 can not be configured the same.

The format for the dip switches on the GPIB-232CT-A is

"On", "OFF", "On", "OFF","OFF","OFF","On", "OFF"

The Serial Converter was: CFG Switch - ON

S Mode, 9600 Baud Rate, 8 Data Bits, Odd parity, 1 Stop Bits, None Flow Control

My question "are the settings applied correctly from another source" - I meant to ask can I view through another source that the settings on the GPIB match what was sent in the serial converter utility.

My Understanding was that I can Add the new box,  Configure to the GBIP-232CT-A settings, then run the application. 

[Justin_E]

Hey Alpha,

Are you wanting to verify that the serial settings on your 232CT-A device match with how you set up the Serial Converter? If so, you can check the user's manual for the GPIB-232CT-A found on our website to verify this : http://digital.ni.com/manuals.nsf/websearch/F3FCF58CCFD93DA886256DB0006D9498

Pages 3-4 and 3-5 give you the specifications for those DIP switches. Does this answer your question?