Small note about the centronics connector: Metal centronics is not
necessarily better in this case. Since this is originally supposed to be
a portable computer, the accessories also ideally want to be portable,
and there are a few different features that make that a little more or
less optimal.
A plastic connector is better for a laptop bag for two reasons. It
weighs less, and doesn't damage other objects it's banging around with.
Plus, a final detail, in particular there is the shape of the bail
locks. There is a style of plastic connector where the bail locks have a
lower profile triangular shape vs a larger more bowtie or butterfly wing
shape that sticks out more and is a little more annoying in a bag with
other cables. No bail locks at all is even better for bag-annoyance, but
I think having the bail locks is worth more.
Ideally you want plastic, with that less-snaggy shape, and most
importantly a strain-relief clip on the crimp side.
The futurlec one linked on tandy.wiki is plastic and has strain relief
and not the ideal wing shape, but the wings are pretty stubby so it's
not bad.
There are others on digikey but they either lack a strain relief or they
cost a lot more for no reason.
This is an example of the ideal wing shape I mean (but don't use this
connector, it's the wrong kind of wire attachment, it's just to show the
bail lock shape)
https://www.digikey.com/short/300fczp9
This one is at least usable, the cable attaches by IDC crimp, but no
strain relief, and a strain relief is more important than any of these
other considerations, also notice it's $16 whopping instead of $2.50
https://www.digikey.com/short/57fnbdqw
The ideal would be the futurlec one with these bail locks, but the
futurlec ones are stubby enough that its good enough. It's a very minor
difference at that point. The metal ones are usually the real big and
pointy ones. So, 90% ideal plus only $2.50 is why that's the linked one.
--
bkw
On Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 10:42 AM Cedric Amand <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks,
It's indeed related to my DIP switch "SLCT IN"
Now I'm able to print, the carriage return is replaced by an
uppercase "angstrom" sign but it's a good start
By the way, in case anyone is interested, I was forced to order
stuff "5 times" for my printer cables, so I'm gonna make 4 more
DIP26 -> Centronics adapter cables and put them on ebay,
I would gladly sell some of them "at cost" to members of this
mailing list first.
(they would be shipping from belgium so probably for fellow european
geeks only)
I used fancy "apple rainbow" flat cable to make them extra cool and
quailty centronics (metal). Email me if interested.
Le 2022-04-30 16:31, Joshua O'Keefe <[email protected]> a écrit :
On Apr 30, 2022, at 6:50 AM, Cedric Amand <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> 1) A switch between what they call EPSON and IBM mode (no idea what this does but looks interesting)
> If anyone knows about those two modes, please share :)
Epson mode will likely set the printer to use Esc-P control codes, and
IBM mode will probably set it to use Esc-[ control codes and possibly map the
character set to match an IBM PC's.
My suspicion is that this switch, at least, won't affect your printer
ready line issue.
