db9rs232serial
I need to make a DB9 cable due to the need to have a custom pin out. I will get a few StarTech.com DB9 Serial Male D-Sub Crimp Connector (C9PCM) to get started.
What crimping tool do I need to secure my wires to the DB9 connector pins? Or is this done by soldering? I have only crimped molex connectors.
What do I need to get to hold/sleeve together all the individual cables together?
You need one of these:
This is the female socket which goes with the connector, it has solder pins. If you would want one for PCB mounting it would look like this:
Note that due to the pin spacing it isn't fit for breadboard mounting.
The Arduino UART produces TTL level signals, that is 5V for high and 0V for low. A PC's RS232 port expects full RS232 voltages which can be -9V to +9V and are inverted.
Either use a TTL level serial adapter (such as those from FTDI) to interface to the PC. Or use a level converter like the MAX232.
Best Answer
As an alternative I recommend screw-type connectors.
They are easy to wire for one-off jobs, can be rewired if you make a mistake and easy to inspect. Note that they are more bulky than soldered connectors.
Search for DB9 9Pin D-Sub Connector solderless Terminal Board Plastic Cover.
You need as many cores as the device requires. Some just need TX (transmit) and RX (receive) and ground. Others use some handshaking signals. You need to read the documentation for the devices you are connecting.
Search for shielded data cable.
You wouldn't be the first to do that. If you have one to spare you could cut one end off and free-wire the other using the suggested connectors. It would cut your work in half. Test for end to end continuity to see how many cores it has connected through (to check that it's enough) before you cut.