[PLUG] USB <-> serial converter?

Kyle Accardi sandbox at pacifier.com
Thu Jul 25 15:42:45 UTC 2002


Rich Shepard wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jul 2002, Kyle Accardi wrote:
> 
> 
>>Yeah, don't think the serial interface was ever designed to provide the 
>>current necessary to charge a battery.  If you haven't noticed, serial stuff 
>>is rapidly disappearing.  From motherboards, devices and accessories.  I was 
>>in a computer shop the other day that had zero DB-9 adaptors or cables. 
>>Seems hard to believe, but it looks like one better start hoarding.
> 
> 
> Kyle,
> 
>   The configuration of the default cradle has a wire from the cradle to a
> USB connector. There's a small power brick that plugs into the rear of the
> USB connector so the charging juice comes from the wall outlet, not the
> computer.
> 
>   My Kyocera QCP-6035 (Palm/cell phone) has a serial cradle with two wires
> coming out the back: one goes to the computer's serial port for syncing, the
> other to a small power brick for charging. So, the technology is proven and
> Handspring could have offered that as a no-cost option if they cared.


Okay, got it.  It's worth checking the discount table at places like 
OfficeMax (if you're already there, that is).  Found a charger for a Palm 
IIIc for $2.  I don't own one, but at that price...

--
Kyle





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