How far away can I place an RS 232 serial scoreboard from my Hardy unit?

The maximum cable length using an RS232 network is 50 feet, or the cable length equal to a capacitance of 2500 pF. The capacitance rule is often forgotten. This means that by using cable with low capacitance, it allows you to span a longer distance without going beyond the standard limitations.

Example: UTP CAT-5 cable with a typical capacitance of 17 pF/ft, would allow a cable length of 147 ft.

This cable length spec allows for maximum communications speed to be used. If the baud rate is reduced, then the maximum length increases also. The above cable lengths were set based on a baud rate of 20kbps. Studies done show that by cutting the rate, will allow an increase of the cable length. That is:

Cable connections for the 3000 series using hyper terminal to a PC
HI3030PM-DC-4S using 11.8vdc power into the DeviceNet port V+ and V-.
Serial connections are:
Printer serial port connector to DB9 connector
Pin 1 ISO GND to the DB9 -5 (didn't work connected to GND)
Pin 3 RXD to the DB9 -3
Pin 4 TXD to the DB9 -2
HI3030 Setup configuration
"Scoreboard, 9600, 8bits, 1 stop bit" Setup
HyperTerminal settings to match

Cable connections for the 4000 series using hyper terminal to a PC
HI4050PM-DC-4S using 11.8vdc power
Serial connections are:
Printer/Score Board serial port connector to DB9 connector
Pin 5 GND to the DB9 -5  (left to right counting)
Pin 6 TXD to the DB9 -2
Pin 7 RXD to the DB9 -3
HI4050 Instrument Setup
"Scoreboard, 9600, 8bits, 1 stop bit" Setup
HyperTerminal settings to match

Data was transferred w/o fail or pause.