I received the R4 case, and I asked BPI provided the extension serial connector cable in my order. So I assembled it like the follows, hope can help someone
I didnāt see this cable included in BPIās YouTube tutorial for assembling the case.
This is a brilliant touch from BPI.
sorry Kvic, I may made the misunderstand. I ordered the extension serial connector cable with R4 case together, it was not the standard accessories of the R4 case.
Can you provide a link to it?
no link, I asked them drectly when I place the order
Ahhh. Ok thanks. Iāll make sure to ask on my next order.
I guess it is this one (5 pieces):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003022362301.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.689a38daWA9UPL&mp=1
And then from R3 to FT232RL (5 pieces):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003655283848.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.42fc38daKxY4A3&mp=1
Both from the same store, using the same colors.
Edit:
On R3 ir turned out had to cut away a bit plastic of connector to fit. Also used hot glue to fix it.
Can you give the dimensions of the hole for the connector? Would be interesting for other casesā¦
Isnār the hole in the R3 case the same?
possibly, did not thought about it (simply thread my debug cable through it)ā¦this is 5x10
Same here, just some wires through. This definitely look like amore proper way to do it, so I ordered the cables and see if it fitsā¦
Already bought some thx for the linkā¦then i can checkā¦just need measures for my other diy caseā¦
Thinking of this serial console today and come up with another idea.
USB module like this is cheap enough. We can embed one inside the official R4 case and make use of the same opening for the USB type B socket:
The advantage isā¦ like other professional networking gears, there will be a console in R4.
Any ideas how to āglueā such a module to the R4 case and will be strong enough to sustain many insertion/removal cycles for the foreseeable future?
My plan is to move only the dupont connectors to outside or like bpi did use a jst connector
All other is imho not stable enough for multiple pluggings
I used the same connectors as above on R4 acryl case. Can use some hot glue to fix it to case.
On R3 ir turned out had to cut away a bit plastic of connector to fit. Also used hot glue to fix it.
Iām fine with that or other temp solutions during ādevelopment phaseā of R4. In the longer run, in my case, I intend to use R4 as an end product. So I was thinking something nicer and commonly available in end products.
Iām also thinking of 3D printing an adaptor that will ālockā in official R4 caseās opening for accessing the serial console. But this idea is a distant & fantasy project for meā¦I probably wonāt attempt in foreseeable future.
Donāt want to fight an unnecessary warā¦so I simply followed the easiest path and added an extension cord too. I ordered 10cm but got sent 18cmā¦
This will be the āserial consoleā for this BPI R4 in its lifespan for the coming 10 years. lol
My serial console cable.
Literally stitch up with soldering iron. The USB mini B cable is at least 15 years old. Look at the thickness. Old cables were so well made.
The overall cable assembly is still fragile. May survive a couple of years use. Next time I will buy one than DIY for sure. Not worth the time.