[DIY Bluetooth Interface for ProChrono Digital]

Thanks so much for all your hard work and posting this. I'm was gonna attempt to do it like you did, but I'm not familiar with the Kycon STX-3100-9C and I'm not sure how to wire it up. I kinda saw a schematic for it, but I don't have enough knowledge to interpret it. There are 6 pins grouped together that I don't know what is what, and 3 other (curvy looking pins) which I'm guessing are the RX, TX, and GRND though I'm not sure what's what on that either. Any light you can shed would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

The 3 bent pins are your tip, ring, and sleeve pins. The other 6 pins grouped together near the back are the switched pins. Here's how I wired mine (click the pic for a larger image):

Switch Connections.png

Note: this view is looking at the bottom of the switch. The Battery connection goes to the positive terminal on the battery source; the VIN connection goes to the VIN pin on the voltage regulator. The way I have mine connected, the switch closes the connection between the battery and the VIN pin (i.e., turns the power on) when a cable is plugged into the jack.

For the curious, the schematic for the Kycon STX-3100-9C is located here.

Thanks again! I finally sat down and got it all together like you did. My soldering skills are severely lacking, but it works...for now...

[DIY Bluetooth Interface for ProChrono Digital]

This thread is a carry-over from the one covering the DIY cable for the ProChrono Digital USB interface. I figured a new thread would be appropriate to keep the wired vs. wireless discussions organized.

The detailed instructions in the attached PDF file cover building a Bluetooth interface for the ProChrono Digital chronograph. In short, it describes how to build a Bluetooth receiver and use it to make a wireless connection between the ProChrono Digital and the PCRemote software on a PC.

Two warnings, though:

• First, If you attempt this build there is a chance you could break any and all of the parts, including your chronograph. Do not attempt this if you are not comfortable installing Windows drivers & software, using a soldering iron, and guarding against electrostatic discharge (ESD). You alone are responsible for what happens to your equipment.

• Second, getting serial devices working over Bluetooth in Windows is straight-up voodoo. Seriously. There's about a 50/50 chance the Bluetooth receiver will work on the first pass through the instructions, and it's entirely possible to do everything right and still end up with a receiver that doesn't work. YMMV, but just know this up front.

Having said that, here's a list of the components you'll need:

1. Bluetooth-to-Serial Module ($7-18)
2. CP2102 USB-to-Serial UART/TTL Module ($5-10)
3. Switching Voltage Regulator ($5-6)
4. Battery(ies) ($2-5)
5. Battery Holder ($2-3)
6. ⅛” (3.5mm) stereo cord and/or jack ($3-7)
7. Power Switch (optional) ($1-2)
8. 10kΩ Resistor ($1)
9. Small Project Box/Enclosure ($3-7)

So, depending on what components you select and how particular you are, you can build the Bluetooth receiver for +/- $45.

I had a lot of fun working on this build. The majority of my electronics projects up to this point usually involved either a PC power supply or a 12V car battery. What you see in the instructions is a culmination of the lessons learned and the do-overs I worked through over the course of building the prototype. If you have any suggestions to add, please post them here or PM me. (I'm still looking for a 3.5mm stereo jack with an isolated SPDT switch that closes when the plug is inserted.)

On my wish list of future projects:

1. Get the Bluetooth receiver integrated inside the ProChrono Digital housing.
2. Find some enterprising coder(s) to write an Android equivalent of the PCRemote software now that we have a Bluetooth option.

Edit 6/9/13: I'll try to post some pics of the build once I clear the minimum post limit.

Thanks so much for all your hard work and posting this. I'm was gonna attempt to do it like you did, but I'm not familiar with the Kycon STX-3100-9C and I'm not sure how to wire it up. I kinda saw a schematic for it, but I don't have enough knowledge to interpret it. There are 6 pins grouped together that I don't know what is what, and 3 other (curvy looking pins) which I'm guessing are the RX, TX, and GRND though I'm not sure what's what on that either. Any light you can shed would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

[DIY Cable for Pro Chrono Digital USB Interface: Complete Instructions]

Bluetooth to my Win8 PC. Not for the faint of heart. Needed to configure the BT2S board, then needed correct the "virtual" COM ports created by Bluetooth pairing. And I'm still not exactly sure how I got it working in the end. It seems bulletproof now, however. Wow that was fun. Will post as much info/details as possible if anyone is interested.

That's awesome Walleye!! Any further test results? Can you post your steps on how you did it and the correcting of the COM ports when you get a chance.

Thanks!