Serial console accessible from outside

[as400]

I was wondering if the serial connector on the mainboard is actually usable.
The answer is yes, it is. So with additional micro usb-uart adapter I have serial console accessible from outside.

It's not perfect since there is not much space inside. Even with such a small adapter you have to fight for every tenth of mm.
But it's better than opening the case everytime serial console is needed.

[belfastraven]

That's great:  could you let us know which USB-TTL adapter you used,  and what you used to make the hole in the side of the case?  

I have given up on having any sound from my PBP  bwecuase I usually do want the serial console enabled and am finding it almost impossible to manage the tiny screws standoffs, etc, any more.

[as400]

I have bought adapter like on the picture below. It's based on FT232RL. Just remember it has to have pins to choose voltage (3.3V/5V).
It's very small - 15.6mm x 20mm

Before, I bought some micro adapter with CP2102 chip and despite it was advertised as 3.3V - it was giving 4.5V and was just a failure.


I've taken off some material from the case itself and the bottom metal cover to make it fit. And also from the adapter itself by a margin of maybe 0,5 mm.
For this I used micro dremel.

I plan on doing some blog post about the process with some more pictures.

[belfastraven]

I have bought adapter like on the picture below. It's based on FT232RL. Just remember it has to have pins to choose voltage (3.3V/5V).
It's very small - 15.6mm x 20mm

Before, I bought some micro adapter with CP2102 chip and despite it was advertised as 3.3V - it was giving 4.5V and was just a failure.


I've taken off some material from the case itself and the bottom metal cover to make it fit. And also from the adapter itself by a margin of maybe 0,5 mm.
For this I used micro dremel.

I plan on doing some blog post about the process with some more pictures.

Thanks--looking forward to the posts with pictures....

[as400]

OK, so here is the ---> writeup. I used all the pictures I had.