Have you ever seen a cable like this?

[taisingera]

Don't want to say where this cable is from, but it came with a data recorder with scanner used to collect retail data. I have determined that it is a 25 pin serial cable, because it came with a serial to USB adapter cable, but I have never seen power (AC) carried over a serial cable to charge the unit.

 

[mfenn]

Its the DB-25 version of the EtherKiller!

I've never seen that particular permutation before, but it's not uncommon for low volume devices to repurpose standard connectors in weird ways. It's a lot cheaper to make a custom cable with standard connectors than it is to get a custom or special-order connector. They probably wanted a fairly robust connector that could be securely attached (screw mount), but was detachable so that they could ship a different AC adapter for different countries.

 

[MichaelD]

Its the DB-25 version of the EtherKiller!

I've never seen that particular permutation before, but it's not uncommon for low volume devices to repurpose standard connectors in weird ways. It's a lot cheaper to make a custom cable with standard connectors than it is to get a custom or special-order connector. They probably wanted a fairly robust connector that could be securely attached (screw mount), but was detachable so that they could ship a different AC adapter for different countries.

Now THAT is an excellent reply! Gold standard, AFAIC. We need a clap icon. This'll do :thumbsup:

 

[Red Squirrel]

Its the DB-25 version of the EtherKiller!

I've never seen that particular permutation before, but it's not uncommon for low volume devices to repurpose standard connectors in weird ways. It's a lot cheaper to make a custom cable with standard connectors than it is to get a custom or special-order connector. They probably wanted a fairly robust connector that could be securely attached (screw mount), but was detachable so that they could ship a different AC adapter for different countries.

LOL first thing I thought of. Though this is the one I've seen before:

http://www.fiftythree.org/etherkiller/

I can't believe that page still exists, this is at least 10 years old.


As for that particular cable, no idea. That is a really weird way to provide power. and not sure how it would communicate.

 

[taisingera]

Its the DB-25 version of the EtherKiller!

I've never seen that particular permutation before, but it's not uncommon for low volume devices to repurpose standard connectors in weird ways. It's a lot cheaper to make a custom cable with standard connectors than it is to get a custom or special-order connector. They probably wanted a fairly robust connector that could be securely attached (screw mount), but was detachable so that they could ship a different AC adapter for different countries.

I looked at that page, wouldn't the name be "Serial Killer"?😀

 

[mfenn]

I looked at that page, wouldn't the name be "Serial Killer"?😀

:awe: Nice. You should keep that in your little bag of tricks for whenever somebody wants you to repair an old PC.

Now THAT is an excellent reply! Gold standard, AFAIC. We need a clap icon. This'll do :thumbsup:

Thanks. 🙂