XM on Carputer THE GUIDE - Page 8

Viscouse · 08-15-2005, 01:55 PM

This seems like it would nicely fit the bill for a 8-pin to DB9 cable. A bargain at $7...
http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orde...les.com&rcode=

But it doesn't seem to match up quite right.
Darn...so close. I even thought about swapping pins, but the DB9 seems molded & unservicable. Better to just make a new one.

BoyNextDoor · 08-15-2005, 02:03 PM

if anyone needs the "tools" to fix up your own cable (connectors [9-pin mini-din, serial w/housing], cables 8-pin mini-din 6' long with two male connectors) let me know, b/c i'm selling them off. I don't want to bother with fixing them up anymore. I'll sell the accessories of one cable (everything included) for $8 shipped. And you have the fun of soldering it together. Let me know... i have about 15 avilible...

Viscouse · 08-15-2005, 02:43 PM

Does anyone think that it would be possible to use phone cord (the 4-wire kind) to build the cable with? Would the wires be too small to carry the signal?
I feel a little silly making a huge 9-wire cable when you only need 3 wires. I can make a phonejack->serial header cable and a DIN8->phone plug cable and I'm good to go.

But I'm wary of the small phone wires. Any opinions?

BoyNextDoor · 08-15-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Viscouse

Does anyone think that it would be possible to use phone cord (the 4-wire kind) to build the cable with? Would the wires be too small to carry the signal?
I feel a little silly making a huge 9-wire cable when you only need 3 wires. I can make a phonejack->serial header cable and a DIN8->phone plug cable and I'm good to go.

But I'm wary of the small phone wires. Any opinions?

you need at least five wires. 3 for the serial, and 2 for power... i woildn't do it with any other cable b/c interference...

Viscouse · 08-15-2005, 03:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BoyNextDoor

you need at least five wires. 3 for the serial, and 2 for power... i woildn't do it with any other cable b/c interference...

I need 3. I have a commander that is already wired intot he car. I will not change any power (and I wouldn't carry power in the same cabel anyway, just like your cable), just signal. There are 3 signal wires.

Question still stands.

BoyNextDoor · 08-15-2005, 03:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Viscouse

I need 3. I have a commander that is already wired intot he car. I will not change any power (and I wouldn't carry power in the same cabel anyway, just like your cable), just signal. There are 3 signal wires.

Question still stands.

ok, but i'd be still worried of interference. if you get a good shielded phonecable, i can't see why not...

jcdillin · 08-15-2005, 04:01 PM

It has to be shielded or you will get problems with the list loading and channel changing, my very first cable was not shielded and I had problems. Since then i've gone shielded and everything is fine and dandy

05mineralgrey · 08-16-2005, 07:28 PM

I built a cable to the specs of the I-hacked/this forum directions, and it doesn't work. All of the pins should be right, and I dont need power, since it is already installed in my car. I do not really understand, it doens't do anything like it is supposed to. I start of the software, and I get the same response as if i didn't have anythign plugged in, really annoying. It is shielded also, because It was not at first, and then I made it to be. Any ideas? Are those directions not quite accurate, or is there anywhere besides www.hybrid-mobile.com that I can buy a premade cable?

Viscouse · 08-16-2005, 09:51 PM

Thanks guys! I'll give it a whirl.

looneeii · 08-17-2005, 03:39 PM

Dumb question but you have to subscruibe to XM first of course? Cuz in Canada don't think we can yet...

BoyNextDoor · 08-17-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by looneeii

Dumb question but you have to subscruibe to XM first of course? Cuz in Canada don't think we can yet...

yes, w/o a subscription the xm unit ain't working...

llajumpvid · 08-28-2005, 05:57 PM

I want to verify if the pin diagram is looking at the "front" of both the db9 and the 8-pin (not the side the wires hook to). I read in an earlier post it was looking at the front, but the db9 I bought has pins number on the front opposite of what they are shown on the original post.

jcdillin · 08-28-2005, 06:58 PM

use the pin numbers printed next to the pins for reference. That picture is probably looking at the male version of the connector.

And yes, that is looking at the 8pin connector

GizmoQ · 08-28-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BoyNextDoor

yes, w/o a subscription the xm unit ain't working...

That's not exactly true. I have an XMD on my development system that has no subscription. It gets channels 1 & 247. Good enough for most testing.

MoFo · 09-03-2005, 04:47 PM

hey guys,I'm trying to find out where i should get power for my xm direct .i'm not much of an electrician. Should i get it from the inverter i have or maybe the amps that are already back there? heres a picture: