wireless way to connect to serial comm port?

[luv2liv]

i have an old instrument sitting on the roof. once in awhile, i would get on the roof and collect data from its serial comm port using a serial-usb cable. there is a laptop in the house, and it's connected to my house network via cat 5 OR wifi, just 20 feet away from the instrument.
how can i retrieve data easily so i dont have to get on the roof each time? the cheapest way i can think of is using USB extension cable. but leaving the cable outside might deteriorate over time and attracts lightning?
pls advise....

 

[mxnerd]

Protect the USB cable with UV rated PVC conduit?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Rasberry PI?

 

[PottedMeat]

two of those serial<->bluetooth adapters?

configure it with a computer
attach to device
have another on the computer
i have no idea if the software will like using a bluetooth com port

i don't know if the range is 20+ ft

 

[luv2liv]

Rasberry PI?

i like this solution but have no idea how to program and work with linux. all of the rpi in my house are based on copying and pasting the ISO rpi into my sd card. hopefully someone else has posted an ISO for my serial data xfer project....
for now, i will do usb extension cable.

 

[Mike64]

How much money are you willing to throw at the problem? As an example, if not a recommendation, see, e.g., Serial WiFi Adapter - RS232. Keep in mind that weatherproofing will presumably be an issue, any non-industrial (and therefore probably pricey) device that can transmit a wireless signal of one sort or another is likely to be a lot more fragile than a decent cable, and cables are pretty cheap to replace...

 

[William Gaatjes]

If it is a real rs232 interface, you can just use an rs232 extension cable from the device on the roof to a warm place in your house..
Make sure the connection between the device and the cable is air tight so that no water can leak in.
Maybe you can use self amalgamating tape for that.
In theory when the baudrate is not that high, you can easily use a 100 feet cable.
Then in your house connect your usb to rs232 and sit relaxed.
Buy a shielded cable or make a cable yourself but make sure it is shielded.
That is the cheapest option.

Use some gas discharge tubes on the shielding of the cable.
And a high voltage capcitor of about 3KV /4.7nF to ground.
That will prevent the spurious build up of charge.
It is good to ground the cable first before connecting to your serial to usb converter and laptop.
To fully discharge any static charge the ground and shielding of the cable may have accumulated and prevent the charge from damaging your serial /usb converter and laptop.

 

[kingflathead]

Use a Buccaneer cable: http://www.bulgin.com/products/circular-data-connectors.html

They're available from Mouser, Digi-key, other places like that. I have used their Ethernet and USB connectors and cables in industrial environments successfully for years. Very sturdy, IP67 rated, UV stable, and I don't see any reason why one of them wouldn't last for years up on a hot roof.

 

[Skunk-Works]

Is there power on the roof with this device? I know of a program called Serproxy (not sure if it exists anymore) that will tunnel serial data over IP. Then that can be sent over WIFI. You'd use a netbook.

About lightning. I have a felling your device on the roof is already a lightning magnet. Is it grounded? If not, lightning will just splatter all over the roof. If the application can be placed in the attic that would be better.