Thermal Printer + Arduino + need of RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR pins?

Using Arduino Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I recently salvaged a thermal printer saying "EM205_101122" on it's circuit board. I also got success in accessing to all it's datasheets.
It seems that it has a RS232 as well as TTL ports, but both of the ports are given two extra pins saying "RTS/DTS and DTR/DSR".
While I read about them, they are the flow control pins and are to be kept +12V or -12V.
For communication with the Arduino (as given in this tutorial: http://bildr.org/2011/08/thermal-printer-arduino/) does these pins are required to be used or we can just use the RX TX pins only?

Help me as I'm stuck in middle of it and I just want to be sure as I don't want to burn anything trying to make it.

Ps find the datasheets as attached below

EP108PP(Full).pdf (617 KB)

2

You won't burn anything out by setting them to either + or - 12V.

They are flags, if you have them around the wrong way it won't print.

3

If I don't use them at all will it affect the printing function? And If I just use the serial communication as shown in the bildr tutorial for printing will it work with this printer? I kindly request you to re-frame a conclusive wiring for the Arduino and my Thermal printer from studying briefly the data-sheet (the data sheets attached).

I Think powering it , then connecting the Rx-TX and TX-Rx and GND will do enough as given in bildr tutorial.

Thank you

4

If I don't use them at all will it affect the printing function? And If I just use the serial communication as shown in the bildr tutorial for printing will it work with this printer?

Yes it will work.
Some days ago a wired my EPSON to the arduino and it works very well
For you do the test here is my code:

void setup ()
{
Serial.begin(19200); //Epson default printer settings for baud rate
}

void loop() //looping sequence
{
printFromAtoZ();
delay(1000);                         //delay for 1 second
}
void printFromAtoZ()
{
unsigned char caracter = 'A';  
Serial.write(0x1B);             //ESC POS command
Serial.print('@');                   //ESC POS initialize followed after command
for(uint8_t i = 0; i<=25;i++){
  Serial.write(caracter++);
}
Serial.write(0xA);                    //Print and Line Feed from Buffer
}

All you need to wire is TX RX though a MAX232 and Ground

5

Thanks.
I'll try now.