Arduino Mega 2560 R3 - RS232 via USB connection

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Observed there's an USB connection on Arduino Mega 2560 R3 , not sure if I can use it for RS232 communication with my RS232 device ?

2

h3rmit:
Observed there's an USB connection on Arduino Mega 2560 R3 , not sure if I can use it for RS232 communication with my RS232 device ?

You just need a RS232 to TTL converter.

3

You can if you ground the reset line to hold the Mega in reset so it doesn't respond to serial traffic. But the Mega will be inert. Not sure if that's what you wanted, but it's possible if you don't have a USB to TTL serial device kicking around, and you need one.

4

It is critical to determine if it's rs232 voltage levels, or ttl. If you think it's ttl but it's actually rs232, you will damage the Arduino (a adapter is needed, eg max232).

Unfortunately, ttl serial is often called rs232 in documentation and marketing material, even though it's not :confused: