I'm currently working on a project that involves interfacing a PT2163P thermal printer with an Arduino Uno via an RS232 to TTL converter. However, I've encountered some issues and need assistance in resolving them.
Project Overview:
I'm using an Arduino Uno as the microcontroller for this project.
I've connected the PT2163P thermal printer to the Arduino using an RS232 to TTL converter to facilitate communication.
I have a basic understanding of the PT2163P's command set and its requirements.
The Problem: I have been unable to achieve successful communication and printing from the thermal printer using the Arduino. Despite my efforts, the printer does not respond as expected.
Specific Questions:
Are there any specific considerations when connecting an RS232 to TTL converter between the PT2163P and the Arduino? I have ensured the wiring is correct.
How should I configure the Arduino to send the necessary commands to the printer, especially in terms of baud rate, data format, and other communication settings?
Is there a specific code example or library that can facilitate communication with the PT2163P thermal printer? I would appreciate any sample code that can get me started.
Additional Information: I have read the PT2163P datasheet and learned about its command structure, but I'm struggling to implement it effectively in my Arduino code.
I'm open to any advice, suggestions, or guidance that can help me establish a reliable connection between the Arduino and the PT2163P thermal printer.
Show us a schematic, please. pen-on-envelope, take a picture, post it.
How about a link, so we can read it too?
Show us your best attempt at code.
You may have noted this in passing:
You'll get far more support here, and converge on a solution more quickly, if you try to provide us with the best information possible. Not being rough, just pointing out that no one here has "a crystal ball", all we can help you with is what we see.
That seems to identify the mechanical/electrical portion of some printing device. Can you provide a link to the data sheet on the actual printer you are using?
Which pins on your UNO are you using for TXD and RXD?
What is controlling the hardware handshake lines? The UNO should do this via the RS232 module. It would require 2 additional wires to your UNO.
You can bypass this by connecting RTS to CTS.
Show us your code so far.
A quick look at that PDF manual indicates the printer supports a test print. I would start with that command first whilst trying to get the printer to respond.
Can you tell us which pins you have used on the Arduino?
Somewhere RX needs to be connected to TX, and TX to RX.
It is not clear from the PT2163P interface description whether or not an RS232-TTL interface is actually necessary - the signal names are /UART_RXD etc.
Have you measured the /UART2_ output voltages to see if they are actually RS232 or whether they are 3.3V/5V UART signals?
The connector pinout is a good start, but is there a text description of the purpose of each pin? That might help with @JohnLincoln 's question. I'm wondering if there's a problem with the two handshaking signals. They wouldn't include them if they didn't give them a purpose.
From the Thermal Printer Module PT2163P Specification that selvamanoj gave the link to in post #4, there is a command to determine whether the serial handshaking is XON/XOFF or DTR/DSR , CTS/RTS.
@selvamanoj Did I miss your code? I see no indication of it. What baud rates have you tried? I quick-read the manual, I can't see any hint as to what the default baud rate might be.
Instead of starting with a sketch with lots of options, I would suggest you start with a much simpler sketch that simply tries to get the printer to print out its test page.
If you can get that working then you know you have the basics right and can then expand your sketch to include additional functionality.
