Hello everyone,

I'm new to the ski world, but old to the PC world and I'd like to connect our clubs ALGE S4 system to our PC for data recording during a race. I'm in the early experimental hours and just getting my ducks in a row. First of course I require the cabling to test the receipt of the data and make sure I've got most ready before I start with the software side.

Can someone please provide me with the specs for the cables to connect the S4 to the PC and the PC to the Display board.

S4 is an 8-pin DIN for the RS232
Display board should be from a DB9 to the Board.

Thanks

I've worked out what I think are the cables that I need....Maybe then someone just has to confirm it to me...

I found a DIN 8 connector for the RS232 to the PC and then of course I wire from the PC to the Display board, so that's just a couple of Bannana plugs and I found a post with that wiring noted.

If someone can confirm this or correct me then that would be great.

Regards,

I'm replying to my own post...

I checked the DIN connector that I found today and it appears that it is slightly different than the 8 pin socket on the S4 timer . I now need to locate the correct DIN connector....can anyone give me a source that might be available in Toronto Canada...

Brian

Thanks to those that assisted me in determining my error.

It seems I was seeking an 8-pin plug to fit the 8-pin socket, but of course there is a 5 pin plug that fits the only 5 pins required....

I was also glad to get some confirmation that my schematic above is correct, so I'll get together now and make this cable on the weekend and hopefullly have this downloading data by Monday.
===================================
"The plugs used with ALGE gear are made by Deltron in the UK

5 Pin Connector for RS232

The catalog lists this a "midi" connector so you should be abale to get it at a decent pro audio shop."

P.S. It was also nice to talk to Mike who was a great help in educating me quickly and providing some good future options. It seems we've been running our races in a difficult mode with the S4, but it makes the near future look that much brighter....

I'm interested in the diagrams that were originally referenced in this discussion thread, but the URLs are no longer active. Can anyone provide me with information on the wiring for a cable from a Alge S4 RS232 connection to a 9 pin RS232 for a computer input? Thanks.

You can find the Alge Cable guide in the Support Docs section of http://www.sportstimingusa.com

The english is not too good but you can easily find the cable pinout.

The main thing to remember about using an S4 with software like Split Second or Skunkware is that the S4 has to be forced to transmit all the time by having the RTS and CTS jumped together. The only connector needed is the same 5 pin din that is used for the ALGE headset. You can also get them at audio shops or Radio Shack.

As you look at the solder side of the connector with the strain relief notch at the top:

Pin 1 = 2 pm = Signal

Pin 4 = 5 pm - jumped to Pin 5

Pin 3 = 6 pm = Ground

Pin 5 = 7 pm - jumped to pin 4

Pin 2 = 10 pm - not used

The DB Female going into the PC or nowadays the USB to Serial adapter:

Pin 2 = Signal

Pin 5 = Ground

Real straight forward. Just make it and use it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FKP,

What about a bi-directional cable? Bi-direction can allow commands to be sent to the clock with com-to file. Maybe even for uploading start times to a TDC8000. Is the pin out the same for the S4 and the TDC?