Create a custom RS485 or RS232 cable
Option #1 - Our "self crimp" cables
You can create your own cable by by buying one of our self crimp cables which already includes appropriate plugs:
Option #2 - FTDI cables are available worldwide
We recommend FTDI cables as they are the best quality. Here they are listed on the official FTDI site. You can also search for exactly these codes on Amazon, etc.
Note that the Waveshare industrial RS485 is also globally available and uses an FTDI chip.
Watch out for bargains. We've had a few cases where people buy FTDI cables online at a bargain (less than $15) and then it doesn't work. Upon investigation, we find it also doesn't work with the official inverter/battery software either. Then we try a SolarAssistant cable it does in fact work with both SolarAssistant and the official inverter/battery software. At this point your guess is as good as ours why the cable you bought doesn't work.
Option #3 - Non-FTDI cables
You might be looking into non-FTDI cables to save on costs. Unfortunately we can not provide technical support for every cable someone might buy online. If you decide to buy non-FTDI cables, then you have to ensure they work on linux or a Raspberry PI without installation of extra drivers and software. Typically cables don't require extra installations.
The lowest cost acceptable adapters we have found listed below:
- JBTek RS485 (Only has 2 screw terminals for RS485A and RS485B, no ground)
Hint when creating RJ45 cables
When using a screw terminal USB adapter like the Waveshare industrial RS485 or JBTek RS485, you can cut an existing computer network cable and wire the appropriate wires into the adapter. This approach does not require a crimping tool.
