DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Anything related to the PLX brand of wideband devices.

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TechSX
 

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Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:51 am

DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by TechSX »

Hello,

This is my PLX USB adapter and work very well.

There are several Serial-to-USB TTL converters available on the market, and any one can translate the signal from the PLX SM-series sensor to computer.

What you need:
- FT232RL USB to Serial adapter module ( Mini USB )
- 3.5mm Stereo Audio Male Plug Jack
- Some electrical wiring
1e2.JPG
Mini USB Adapter
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3e4.JPG
Connections
(70.88 KiB) Downloaded 23322 times
5a6.JPG
Working
(101.92 KiB) Downloaded 23322 times
Nice and Simple :D
Matt
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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Matt »

Good work. Its nice to see the PLX wideband up and working finally :D
Kranzy
 

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Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:46 am

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Kranzy »

Sorry to bump an old thread, but can you confirm that the RX is on the tip of the 3.5mm plug?

Where did you purchase the usb converter from?
Tengis
 

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Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:21 am

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Tengis »

Awesome. Old thread but very useful. Just ordered what I need.
Raybrant
 

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Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:12 am

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Raybrant »

Would a simple 3.5mm male audio jack to mini-USB cable work instead? Or does it need that chip to convert the signal to something the computer can understand?

Thinking of something like this:
Image
Matt
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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Matt »

You will need the TTL - USB converter.

I'm not sure what that plug is for, but it would seem there is no converter in it?
Raybrant
 

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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Raybrant »

Found a cable you can buy off the shelves with the converter already embedded on the USB. Made by the same company that makes the chip in OP's post FTDI.

http://www.amazon.com/3-3V-USB-SeriaL-C ... ttl+serial

Image

One problem though is the TIP and RING connections are swapped. This cable has the TIP as TX and RING as RX and OP wired them as TIP RX, RING TX. May have to cut the connector off and swap the wires.

Edit: Nevermind, OP's way is far cheaper. $8USD for the chip, $5 for the male audio cable, ~$4 for the wiring, pin connectors, etc.
chris2712au
 

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Location: sydney australia

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by chris2712au »

Hi guys, been a while since I have been on..

Can you tell me more in terms of the PLX setup as in the nistune configuration ?

I am use to the DLP board the and look up table ? and wiring the two togethter ?

Is this plug and play with a driver / setup ?

Cheers

Chris
Matt
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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Matt »

If using the PLX it has auxillary I/O so you dont need a DLP because of the extra inputs
chris2712au
 

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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by chris2712au »

the SM-AFR in the photo is like the one that I have in my car, it has narrow and wideband outputs tx and rx and thats about it.. only way to nistune it previously was to use the DLP board..
chris2712au
 

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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by chris2712au »

just tried this little project, works really well, thanks to the poster for the mod.
Wasson Will
 

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Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 9:23 am

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Wasson Will »

Yeah brilliant link, got Mine working this week with at the cost of £8 compared to £60 for a bought lead. Many thanks.

As these PLX devices can be daisy chained as they call it, was wondering for tuning purposes is it possible to fit a PLX boost sensor and feed that in to nistune as a reference to aid in target AFRs rather than just looking at TP.

Currently starting to tweek an S13 CA engine with Stage 3 kit fitted.
URG8RB8
 

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Location: Milpitas, CA & Spring Hill, FL

Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by URG8RB8 »

Used this post last week to get my PLX up and running properly on Nistune (Thank you very much), but I could not figure out how to log the WBO2 data in the data log. I could not find it in any drop down box. I am sure I am missing a tick mark somewhere in the configuration but so far I have not located it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Matt
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Re: DIY - SM-AFR USB Cable

Post by Matt »

If you connect only the wideband and then pull up the guages window (4 guage button) do you get anything? What about the Display > Knock Warning panel? Do you get AFR LHS there?

Please ALT-PRINTSCN to capture screenshot showing these windows (and log player) and paste into MSPaint then save file and post here ( or email)

Only wideband connected (not consult connected)
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