Adding LEDs to ICs (PIC - MAX232) Suggestions?

[johankj]

Hi again

I have built a circuit with a PIC 16F627 and a MAX232CPE, I use the hardware USART on the PIC, which is connected to the MAC232CPE (RS232 chip).

Now I want to add two status LEDs to the RX and TX, so that when the line goes high (logic high), the LEDs lights up. I don't want to put anything in there to affect coms between the chips.

Anu suggestions?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Just resistors and LED's on the lines, certainly the PIC is well able to drive a LED, and the MAX232 should be OK as long as you don't try and draw excessive current off of it - so don't run the LED's too bright.

You used to be able to buy RS232 monitors (and probably still can?), which plugged in the RS232 side and had LED's for all lines - I've still got one.

 

[johankj]

Ok, cheers Nigel. I will do that. I guess the PIC side shouldn't be a problem (25mA), just unsure about the MAX232 side.

I've got one RS232 line monitor too Very usefull

BTW, it's on the TTL side, not the RS232 side.