alternative to FrUSB-3/FUC-3

[rihcard]

hi guys,
need to know if i can replace/get alternative for FrUSB-3/FUC-3

or can i buy this PL2303HX

or this FT232RL

or this FT232RL FTDI

THANKS
richard

[Kilrah]

The FUC-3 uses RS232 levels, not TTL levels like 99% of the similar adapters.

The FTDI based ones can sometimes work but you have to reprogram them to invert the signals. And beware of the really cheap ones, there are counterfeits in circulation that get disabled by the windows driver when you connect them.

[rihcard]

kilrah any recommendations?

i did search for PL2303HX data sheet its said rs232. but im not sure if its that. can you look it up?

and what about this usb to rs232

[Kilrah]

The eBay link should be OK.

[rihcard]

are you sure??? and will its really work?? ill be upgrading my x4r! yes, you re going to save my time and wallet sir.
thanks

ps. ill keep this thread posted.

[Kilrah]

Absolutely no guarantee, you'd have to hope it comes with a driver and that it works... but in theory it should work. Note you need the SPC in addition to the FUC-3 to flash an X4R, so here likewise you'd need one (just a diode, so you can DIY too).

If you have a Taranis then you can update the receiver by just making a suitable passive cable, no components.

[rihcard]

yes ill be ordering with the diode.

oooh? i can update it with my Taranis? how do i make it? any links? and will it work in x8r too? i didnt know.

[MikeB]

Yes, you are able to update Tx Modules, 'X' receivers and SPort sensors from the Taranis. You need a special cable. The pins in the module bay, from the bottom, are:
SPort
Ground
Power
(heartbeat)
(PXX output)

You need to use the bottom three. The signals on the SPort connection are:
SPort
Power
Ground

As you can see, ground and power need to swap over.

Mike.

[rihcard]

Ok. And then what do i need to do to update my firmware?

[MikeB]

Are you running V2.1 of openTx on your Taranis?

Mike.

[Bill]

If you can't invert the output and input you could always use a 40106 hex inverter for less than a Euro.

[rihcard]

yes mike, im running openTx v2.1 on my taranis.

richard

[MikeB]

I think this is the way to do it. I use ersky9x firmware that does it differently.

Make up the special cable.
Copy the required update file (?????.frk) to the SD card, I think into the "FIRMWARES" directory.
Connect the device you wish to update to the lower three module pins using the special cable
With th Tx on, use the SD browser to find the .frk file, select it and choose the "update" option.

Hopefully someone will confirm this.

Mike.

[rihcard]

ok thanks... ill explore this world mwahahhaah

[rihcard]

Ok ill keep this posted then. Hehehe

This is for taranis only i think and opentx v2.1

First of all lets make the SPECIAL CABLE like in this diagram.

Alternative frusb-3 / fuc-3

PLEASE NOTE THAT VMAIN IS TX BATTERY AND ITS NOT REGULATED! YOU WILL BURN YOUR RX IF YOU CONNECT IT WITH YOUR TX THAT HAVE LIPO 3S OR FULLY CHARGE LIFEPO4 S3. CUz YOUR RX CAN ONLY HANDLE 4-9.9V. USE REGULATOR TO STEP IT DOWN IF ITS OVER 9.9V.(FOR GOOD MEASURE)

Take a female to female usb cable(or male to male? Dont remember.). Now remove the possitive(+) and negative(-) and invert them.
It should be:
Vmain(pin3) = servo pin +
Gnd(pin4) =servo pin -
S.port(pin5) =servo signal
(Taranis and the inverted servo power wires.)

And connect your servo cable to Rx(x8r,x6r,x4r/sb only s.port compatible.)
Normal servo connector to Rx s.port (port)pins.
I think thats the second one.

Now download your firmware (x8r firmware) just like Mike said. And put it on tx sd card in a folder that you will be creating. The folder will be called firmware without s hehehe.

turn on you Tx and go to the SD CARD. And navigate to your folder firmware. And select your firmware you would like to flash and hold enter. And you will be promted with:
-Flash External Device
-Flash intern module
-Copy
-move
-delete
Select flash external if you re going to flash Rx device (ex. X8r, x6r and x4r/sb.) And remember to connect your Tx to Rx.
If you re going to flash internal select flash internal module.

Mike you can update it without ersky9x. You should explore too Mike hehehe

Richard

[xxdvdxx]

Hello richard ,
thats nice to know.... just 3 days ago happened to me to need that FrUSB-3/FUC-3 to upgrade a X8R receiver with an old firmware inside that doesn't bind with TARANIS PLUS obviously in D16 mode. So i was looking on "my things" if i can use something else , like DiY stuff , i have found a USB TTL interface that u can find on the web for about less than 3 dollars , used for comunicating with a GPS antenna.
First i made a SPC (Smart Port Converter) ,cause it cost nothing and use only a simply diod 1N4007, then i tried many attemps connecting that USB to TTL interface to SPC and receiver, but the Rx seem didn't go in program mode. I tried also using an external Rx battery to provide the minimum 5 volts required, istead of the 5v pin out coming from the USB-TTL interface , but got no results.

After all i read about that FrUSB-3/FUC-3 is a simply FTDI interface so if u need u can look on internet for FTDI-USB interface that cost 3-4 dollars but u will need the SPC adapter anyway.

Another alternative that i used finally, is to get a simple USB to RS232 serial adapter (usually it come with DB9 male connettor) and u have to use the SPC adapter and an external battery also to connect the Receiver. The pin out of the DB9 male are:

DB9 male ......to...... SPC adapter

pin 2 = RX ------------>> TX
pin 3 = TX ------------>> RX
pin 5 = Ground ------->> Ground


It worked at first try !

hope that can help