[comp.sys.sun] Any way to SAFELY power +12 volt devices from serial port?

henry@zoo.toronto.edu (02/20/90)

>Is there any way to draw 12 volts at low current levels from a Sun serial
>port?  ...

Almost certainly not, if you're talking about CPU-board ports, since Sun
CPU-board serial ports are RS423 and no 12V supply is involved.  (RS423 is
approximately compatible with RS232 given short cables and conscientious
hardware engineers; the major differences are lower voltages and an
ability to run at considerably higher speeds.)

If you're talking about ALM ports, it probably depends on the precise
flavor of ALM, but the odds are much better.

                                    Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
                                uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu