FAQ
TL;DR: 250 stored glucose readings download reliably at 9600 bps; "the cable’s advantage lies in simplicity" [Elektroda, nietomek, #15008762; #13161618]. Build a two-resistor, one-PNP RS-232 cable and enable DTR to sync Contour TS meters with GLUCOFACTS Deluxe.
Why it matters: You can archive critical diabetes data without paying for the proprietary USB lead.
Quick Facts
• Speed & frame: 9600 bps, 8 data, N parity, 1 stop [Elektroda, mureklop, post #15472976]
• Meter memory: 250 results maximum in Contour TS [Elektroda, nietomek, post #15008762]
• Power: DTR line (pin 4) provides ~5 V via 1 kΩ–10 kΩ path [Elektroda, nietomek, post #15008762]
• Parts list: 1 × PNP transistor (e.g., BC557) + 2 resistors 3–10 kΩ [Elektroda, nietomek, post #13161618]
• OEM USB cable price: Approx. €29 on retail sites (Amazon Listing, 2023).
What components make the simplest Contour TS download cable?
Solder a PNP transistor (BC557 or similar), two resistors between 3 kΩ and 10 kΩ, and a DB-9 connector. The meter jack connects to the transistor’s collector; base goes through the resistor to PC-TX; emitter to PC-RX. No extra ICs required
[Elektroda, nietomek, post #13161618]
Will the homemade cable alter glucose measurement accuracy?
Which serial settings must I use?
How do I read data with GLUCOFACTS Deluxe?
Can I use a USB-to-RS232 adapter?
Yes, provided the adapter exposes the DTR pin. Models with Prolific PL2303 or FTDI FT232 chips work; many CH340 clones omit DTR and fail to power the meter
[Elektroda, kassans, post #15008814]
How do I adapt an old 3.3 V phone cable?
Invert its TX line with an NPN transistor or NOT gate and add a pull-up resistor (3 –10 kΩ) to the RX pin; keep ground common. After modification it behaves like a 5 V RS-232 port
[Elektroda, nietomek, post #15008762]
How many readings can I download at once?
Does Linux support the meter?
Yes. A short Python script that writes 0x06 and reads lines over /dev/ttyS0 retrieves the dataset; subsequent Bash filters extract date, time, and mg/dL fields
[Elektroda, mureklop, post #15472976]
Nothing is detected—what now?
Check the COM port assignment, verify 9600 bps settings, and confirm DTR is high. If still silent, inspect solder joints and transistor orientation; a reversed transistor blocks communication
[Elektroda, nietomek, post #15008762]
Do I need special drivers?
No drivers are needed for a native RS-232 port. USB adapters require their own driver—Windows installs FTDI or PL2303 automatically; otherwise download from the chip vendor’s site (FTDI Support).
Is it safe to leave the cable connected during a blood test?
The meter isolates the test circuit, but PC-generated electromagnetic noise could couple into the strip leads. Remove the plug while measuring if you want absolute certainty
[Elektroda, george2002, post #13163045]
Generated by the language model.
Comments
And are you sure that your cable to the meter will not falsify the result? [Read more]
And how can the cable be falsified in the case of digital transmission in this case? Please, do not write nonsense. [Read more]
Or perhaps at the beginning I thought that the digital transmission is not interfering but it can affect the analog measurement by introducing interference, eg if it will be connected to the PC during... [Read more]
Did anyone know about the soft? It is used for ripping measurement results and not measuring in on-line mode. [Read more]
Hello, Below I present a brief description of the launch of the GLUCOFACTS Delux Version V3.05.03 program, which is used to read data from the BAYER CONTORU series glucose meters. 1. Connect the... [Read more]
You can use USB-> RS232 eg Unitek Y-105 for this adapter. ;) [Read more]
Dzien dobry do odczytu dany z glukometru w linuxie wykorzystuje kod #!/usr/bin/python import serial import time import io for i in range (0, 255): ComPort =... [Read more]