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Old 25-06-2015, 02:36   #1
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Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

Hi everybody. I'm writing after one day long attempts. I can not send GPS signal to OCPN 4.0 running on my Mac with OS 10.10.3. Everything runs on PC with Win XP: brings Com3, 4800 baud and I correctly read the GPS data and AIS targets, but on MacBook it doesn't work.

I installed the latest drivers for the USB/serial (Prolific PL2303), but it doesn't work. Here screenshot of the Nmea data (obviously wrong).

Thanks to those who will give me a help


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Old 25-06-2015, 03:04   #2
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

Devices with Prolific drivers are well known for problems.
Since long time I use the Keyspan USA-19HS USB/Serial adapters which are more expensive but has working drivers for all operating systems. I use mine since first days of Windows XP and now with Win8 and OS X Yosemite. Another option might be also to use a device with FTDI chip and drivers.

First check if you have choosen the correct port. Goto the Terminal app and check with command "ls /dev/cu*" (without apostrophe) which ports you have. Obviously you have either the wrong port or the wrong port parameters.

Gerhard
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Old 25-06-2015, 05:15   #3
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

You write you have an AIS connected. Are you sure of the speed ? Instead of 4800 bds, I will try 38400.

Jean
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Old 25-06-2015, 05:16   #4
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

The OP confirmed that the same setup worked fine on another computer, so it's not necessarily the hardware.

Here's the latest official driver for Mac, if you don't already have it

Since there's data, but it's not correct, I believe the driver's working ok but speed setting may be wrong. First thing to try - change the expected speed in OpenCpn to 9600 and see what happens. [and 38400 too as per Jean]

What is supplying the GPS serial signal? Check its settings for speed and format.

I'm not a Mac guy, so I have nothing further to suggest. Maybe hit the Mac forums to find out what they recommend as the best USB-serial cable for Mac.
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Old 25-06-2015, 05:29   #5
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

Quote:
Originally Posted by jean_pfoumf View Post
You write you have an AIS connected. Are you sure of the speed ? Instead of 4800 bds, I will try 38400.

Jean

Thanks to all, I will try soon your precious advices and let You know.
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Old 25-06-2015, 11:11   #6
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

Ok, I'm here. With the original driver the Nmea sentences that Mac receive is wrong (there are all like this:"...... .. ........ ... ......."

With driver modified OSX Installer to PL2303 Serial-USB on OSX Lion / Mountain Lion / Mavericks / Yosemite – changux.co it seems to work BUT after a few seconds the Mac became hot and OpenCpn freeze.
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Old 25-06-2015, 11:24   #7
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Re: Trouble with Mac and USB-Serial adapter

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucaniere View Post
Ok, I'm here. With the original driver the Nmea sentences that Mac receive is wrong (there are all like this:"...... .. ........ ... ......."

With driver modified OSX Installer to PL2303 Serial-USB on OSX Lion / Mountain Lion / Mavericks / Yosemite – changux.co it seems to work BUT after a few seconds the Mac became hot and OpenCpn freeze.
Be careful not to get malware with Prolific stuff. Read post #2 above.

Gerhard
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