Introduction: Mini Parallel Port Break Out Cable.

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This cable only supports 8 wires but will work fine for most things. Thought it might be easier to make than the "no solder parallel port breakout (https://www.instructables.com/id/No-solder-parallel-port-break-out/ ) cable I made before. It will be part of the computer controlled ota tv antenna to be in a future instructable.

Please consult a cable expert if you feel uncomfortable in doing this.

Step 1: What Is Needed:

Parts.

1 - DB25 solderless connector.
10 - Pins for solderless connector
1 -  10 point terminal block
1 -  7 to 8 inch tube wire protector
wire (something less than 100 feet.

Tools:
Wire pliers/cutters/strippers (i just used needle nose pliers that could cut wire).
Ohmmeter.

Step 2: Making Wire Sections.

You will need to cut ten wire pieces at least long enough to go from the db25 connect though the protector to the terminal  block.

Strip the ends of the wire about a quarter inch on one end and one half inch on the other. one forth inch ends are for the pins and the one half inch ends are for the terminal block.

Step 3: Connecting the Wire.

You will want to insert the one forth inch stripped ends into each of ten pins and then crimp the pins in a round form. ( the metal of the wire has to touch the pins)

Press the pins into the back of the db25 connector in holes 1 through 9 and hole 18 so that the ping ends show on the other side. Use the needle nose pliers to gently pull the pins until they are snug.  The ends of the pins should not go farther than almost to the end of the shield..

Note: it does not hurt to a tiny bit (if that much) of melted solder on the wire end before crimping.

Step 4: Getting to the Teminal Block.

Take the wire connected to the number one hole on the db25 connector and put it through the cable protector. Attach that end to the terminal block at one end.
Take the wire connected to the number two hole on the db25 connector and put it through the cable protector. Attach that end to the terminal block next to the first connected wire to the terminal block at the number two spot.
Repeat in succession till all the wires are done.

Repeat till all the wires are done. So that you should have:

pin   1 place   1 on terminal strip.
pin   2 place   2 on terminal strip.
pin   3 place   3 on terminal strip.
pin   4 place   4 on terminal strip.
pin   5 place   5 on terminal strip.
pin   6 place   6 on terminal strip.
pin   7 place   7 on terminal strip.
pin   8 place   8  on terminal strip.
pin   9 place   9 on terminal strip.
pin 18 place 10 on terminal strip.

Step 5: Check Your Work.

Take an ohmmeter and make sure everything is connected right.

If so, your done and you can start hooking parallel port add-ons to the cable. (see https://www.instructables.com/id/No-solder-parallel-port-break-out for examples) and I will be referencing this instructable in future instructables.

Step 6: Ideas for Programming.

Test circuit and code for turning on pins 2-9
Using the lights for fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjZmrw9JkrM

Use qbasic or freebasic on linux or mswindows for this to work.
888 =hex 0378 for printer port 1 (LPT1: 378h, LPT2: 278h ) See manual for sure.

d0 = pin 2 -2 or 0        (2^0) = 1             2 to the zero power is always 1
d1 = pin 3 -2 or  1       (2^1) = 2             2 to the first power is alway 2
d2 = pin 4 -2 or  2       (2^2) = 4             2 squared = 4
d3 = pin 5 -2 or  3       (2^3) = 8             2 cubed = 8
d4 = pin 6 -2 or  4       (2^4) = 16           etc etc.
d5 = pin 7 -2 or  5       (2^5) = 32
d6 = pin 8 -2 or  6       (2^6) = 64
d7 = pin 9 -2 or  7       (2^7) = 128

rem turns all pins off but #3
pin_number =  3
out 888, 2^(pin_number - 2)

out 888,255 to turn all lights on
out 888,0 to turn all pins off


Turn pins 2 (2-2) and pin 5  (5-2) on exclusively would be:
(2^0) +  (2^3) or (1 + 8)
out 888, 9
or
out 888, (&b00001001)

rem pin------------98765432
rem  D(0-7)------76543210
rem out 888, (&b00001001)   << to me the simplest, just change a zero to a 1 for that led.
--------------------1
--------------------2631
--------------------84268421
                                 (8)  (1)


Better code to not change other pins status
On

rem supply your own pin number
pin_number =
z = inp(888)
out 888, (2^(pin_number - 2)) + z

Off

rem supply your own pin number
pin_number =
z = inp(888)
out 888, z -(2^(pin_number - 2)) 

More info on programming and interfacing:
http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html

Step 7: Making Cables

It is a good idea to document the connections you have on the cable especially if if they are not in the expected order.  Did that for this joystick breakout cable.

Cracked open a new cable that supported all 15 lines, so it should work much better,

Step 8: Avr Heaven.

Using the breakout cable to program an avr microcontroller.

Step 9: Legacy RC Control

Old fashion RC control.