VC8145 Multimeter'S RS232 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: codecad2015
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 06:09:58 pm
content: Does anyone have a list of RS232 commands or any documents to extract data from the RS232 port of VC8145 Multimeter?I am creating a software to automate component testing using this amazing multimeter. I contacted the manufacturer but they're not responding back.Thanks in advance.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 06:48:22 pm
content: It comes with software so I'd look at what the software sends to get data back and mimic that. Reverse engineering so to say.

author: codecad2015
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 07:35:57 pm
content: Thanks nctnico. First, using a hyper-terminal, I was figuring out the proper serial port setup speed. I tried all possible baudrate and nothing was being displayed on the screen. So, the VC8145 wasn't outputting data at all as default. It needs to receive some command before it outputs any data. I need those commands. Thanks.

author: k2teknik
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2015, 07:34:22 pm
content: Not that much to add, but I made this post some time agohttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vc8145-thread-it's-here-finally/msg543065/#msg543065

author: Hugoneus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2015, 03:26:41 am
content: I had a really bad experience once with the RS232 port of a multimeter. I was doing deposition experiments and a 1000V electrode voltage was connected to a meter. I connected my laptop to the serial port to do some automation and the meter had some internal failure (which later was traced to a liquid spill inside it) and the voltage was on the serial port. It killed the laptop and scared the heck out of me. (Sorry, I know it is unrelated, I just wanted to share it.)

author: k2teknik
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2015, 06:10:42 pm
content: Quote from: Hugoneus on February 12, 2015, 03:26:41 amThis meter should have optical isolated RS232https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vc8145-thread-it's-here-finally/msg174988/#msg174988(picture #6) but if one spill liquid inside the instrument anything can happen.

author: rr100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2015, 06:13:17 pm
content: For that matter water+1000V will at least scare you even without any multimeter and laptop.

author: ziplock9000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 10:52:31 am
content: Quote from: codecad2015 on January 12, 2015, 06:09:58 pmAny luck with the software you were working on? (I've just purchased a VC8145)

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 12:47:57 pm
content: For software and protocol look here:http://www.26th.net/public/projects/vc8145/

author: ziplock9000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 02:11:56 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 29, 2016, 12:47:57 pmYep, just found that myself recently thanks.

author: ziplock9000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2017, 06:21:14 pm
content: I'm unable to get the software to work, even in compatibility mode. In fact, it simply refuses to even run in Windows 10.The 3rd party software listed above does not work, but at least run. When it connects, there's no data and I just get incrementing samples and error numbers.Help!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2017, 06:42:30 pm
content: Report the bug to Microsoft. Something has changed in the way Windows 10 handles serial ports and it may break legacy code.

author: ziplock9000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2017, 10:55:01 am
content: Windows 10 just updated the Prolific driver and it's reporting as working normally. It's still however not working with the VC8145.Unfortunately I don't have any other RS232 devices to test if it's the USB->Serial cable or the DMM

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2017, 11:00:09 am
content: Quote from: ziplock9000 on January 03, 2017, 06:21:14 pmSure you've set the correct baud-rate?

author: imk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2018, 08:17:26 pm
content: To trace the conversation you need to make a simple sniffer.Basically take the rs232 and break out Tx and Rx data and send them to two invocations of a terminal emulator like RealTermThen start up the PC/Mulitmeter and monitor the Rx/Tx data.I did same to trace conversation of Mead Telescope.https://youtu.be/tcOHwwRaD-4

author: Inflex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2018, 03:51:12 am
content: Have just written up an alternative software package for the VC8145. This one is written with the intent to be used on linux with Openbroadcaster. Very simplified interface.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vici-vc8145-new-software-for-linux-(-and-windows-)/msg2064253/#msg2064253