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[Splinter]

Customer wants me to get him a 2m cable that has a 15pin vga dsub (male) one end and usb on the other. He uses it in car diagnostics, but I'm not having any luck getting a description from any googling.
It's not home made at least. Any ideas?

[Wooster]

Sure it's a 15 pin VGA?

I'd say it was more likely to be a serial cable.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/40608


I did find some USB/VGA adapters, but they seem to be geared toward displays.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218645&C=SO&U=strat15

[Thermalsig]

Splint, I use a DB9 to USB for flashing hardware on in motion satellite systems. I have many other types of connectors, but the odd duck ones are usually proprietary. Could he be requesting one to replace a cable for a scanner to pc? Most all cars built since late 80's use OBD1/2 to talk. I'm wondering if he might be mixed up? It would be hard but not completely impossible for someone to mix them up.

[Wooster]

And they can come with OBD1/2 to serial adapters.

http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/details.asp?item=aldlobd1
http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/details.asp?item=aldlobd2

[Splinter]

It's defo a VGA connection. I took a pic of it. I did notice that the cabling connections going into the vga plug were taped up ie looked a little home made.


But this is what he wants and several of them.

[Wooster]

Well mate, it's time to break out the soldering iron.

[Roscop]

I found these adaptors or HERE They are a bit pricey all you would need would be a vga cable. Or as Wooster said break out the soldering iron

[Thermalsig]

^^^That still doesn't explain what he's using it for or it's intended purpose. I thought I had seen most all combination of scanners/diagnostic cabling and equipment and this one has me scratching my head.  Splint, I would Ohm out the cabling or just hand him the pieces to assemble what he needs. If he is using that on a scanner or the like, he will want to make sure of the polarity. They aren't always standard and will/might damage the scanner or serial port. I've experienced a home made cable disaster first hand(not my doing). If you do find out what he is using it with Splint, would you pass the info along? It's got me intrigued.

[Splinter]

Spoke to the bloke again yesterday and he confirms now that the cable is 'off the shelf'. The DSUB/VGA plugs into the female diagnostics plug of the car and the USB into a PC.
I've asked him to get me more details.