Re: Prolific PL2303 - possible to tap some power?

Joop wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jun 2008 13:30:21 -0700, "Joel Koltner"
<zapwireDASHgroups@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Joop" <jojo@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:6nsd44pc9j1kmgm6ine7tn3593d3t7gorb@xxxxxxxxxx
Has anybody tried this, or maybe there is a more detailed datasheet?
I haven't, but I'd recommend the FTDI 232R for the following reasons:

-- Datasheet readily available, no having to call up and possibly sign an NDA (OK, FTDI does make you sign an NDA if you want a detailed description of the EEPROM configuration, but I've used a lot of FTDI chips and so far never needed it -- I expect that you only do if you're having to write your own device driver for the part)
-- Easily available from DigiKey
-- It's a newer part, so it's a bit more integrated (no external Xtal needed)
-- Drivers are generally far less buggy: I've seen the PL2303 driver blue-screen within the past six months, whereas it's been a number of years since FTDI's drivers were that bad (not that they don't have bugs, but they're pretty mature and the occasional bugs seem rather benign)
-- Bit-bang mode is incredibly useful at times -- does the PL2303 have this?

I don't work for FTDI, but I've used their ICs on multiple occasions and generally been happier with the results than the one time I used Prolific.

---Joel

Thanks for the input. I can see what you mean if this was to become a
commercial product. What I am pondering on right now is some hobby
gadget that maybe could be based on a cheap USB/RS232 adapter. I
wondered if it could be cannibalized and also deliver a little
regulated power.
I already ordered some amazingly cheap stuff from Hong Kong through
ebay. It will be a little surprise what is inside, but I would gamble
on the prolific.

For a one off project, this has help me:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=718
.

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