EEVblog #558 - Beta Layout DIY SMD Thermal Reflow Oven

[Pedro147]

There is a thread about this oven review that Dave did EEVblog #558 but it has not been used for eighteen months so I hope it is OK to revive an aspect of it here.

So I have the controller http://www.beta-estore.com/rkuk/order_product_details.html?wg=1&p=242 hooked up to a toaster oven and also bought the RS232 USB cable so I can use the built in interface to adjust the soldering profile etc 

My PC is running Windows 7 32 bit which I believe doesn't have Hyper terminal anymore. I found some free downloads but I cannot find any information as to how I can access this interface if I was to install one of these Hyper terminal downloads. I have a little experience with com ports when using Arduino but that is about it. Would anyone be kind enough to tell me how to get going with this interface please.

[f4eru]

Try this one :
https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/

[Pedro147]

Thanks for your suggested options gents but I really also need general or specific directions for how to use just a basic terminal with this oven controller. Nothing more nothing less any help appreciated though 

[tggzzz]

Thanks for your suggested options gents but I really also need general or specific directions for how to use just a basic terminal with this oven controller. Nothing more nothing less any help appreciated though 

That request encompasses "put your hand on the mouse, move it so the cursor is over..." through "install it, run it, select i/o device, when comms established..." through "type 'L127sjh1' and press 'enter'".

You might find it helpful to read this, and then ask another question.

[Pedro147]

So sorry that I have upset you tggzzz. I really don't need to be told how to post a question by you thanks, but your concern is very touching and fills me with warm fuzzy feeling. My initial request was quite easy to understand and I feel courteous so if you have issues in your own life, please take them out on someone else and leave me alone. Have a nice day and please. stop being so miserable and negative I don't need that sort of crap 

[Pedro147]

Hopefully I don't upset anyone this time with my poor posting but I am trying to locate a driver for the RS232 to USB converter that is used as a serial interface with Beta Layout DIY SMD Thermal Reflow Oven. I have been in touch with the Beta E-store repeatably about this and they said that they would send me a driver but instead just sent me another converter and cable. I tried to search for a driver specifically for the converter used with mo success so any help would be appreciated.  http://www.beta-estore.com/rkuk/order_product_details.html?wg=1&p=206

[v8dave]

Difficult to know which driver IC they use in them unless someone already has one.

Here's an option you can use to find out. I use this every time I need to find an unknown devices driver.

Plug it into your PC and then go into device manager the look at its properties. Go to the DETAILS tab and locate the VID and PID in there and then search those on the internet to find out which device it is. It is usually under the Device Instance Path or Hardware Ids properties.

[Pedro147]

Thanks v8DAVE I like the sound of that technique. I actually bought another converter from Jaycar that came with a driver but now I cannot seem to work out how to send commands to the oven controller, if that is even the correct terminology 

cleaningOut I have an Arduino so I might look at using it for serial coms . Thanks to you too

[Pedro147]

cleaningOut - I took your suggestion and plugged it an Arduino Uno while the oven controller was running, set the com port and I assume I established some form of communication because the controller displayed the message that the controller documentation said it would i.e.

# PCBP-Reflow Controller
# Software Date : Apr 17 2006
# Software Time : 12:20:16
# start selftest
# selftest ready
Type “help” for command list.

however when I typed help then enter nothing came back from the controller. The manual for the controller says to set these parameters -

9600 Baud, 8-bit, NO parity, 1 stop bit, no handshake

But all I can see to set in the Arduino serial port is the baud rate which I did to 9600. Might you be able to suggest what I may be doing wrong and how is it possible to set the other parameters requiredhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/Themes/default/images/bbc/img.gif for serial communication.

Thanks Pedro

EDIT -  Thanks so much cleaningOut I got the Arduino communicating (well I think I did)