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The simplest cable for the Bayer Contour TS glucometer

nietomek 12087 7
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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
📢 Listen (AI):
  • Hello,

    I wanted to present a simple and proven (using the GLUCOFACTS Deluxe v3.05 program) cable to read data from the Bayer Contour TS glucometer.

      The simplest cable for the Bayer Contour TS glucometer

    Of course, there is nothing extraordinary here, and his advantage lies in simplicity. For anyone who needs to archive measurements from time to time and has a computer with an RS-232 port, it will be an interesting alternative to a rather expensive USB cable.
    The construction (if it can be called that) is my idea and it arose from the need of the moment.
    The resistor values are "by eye" so you can substitute something similar. The transistor is any PNP silicon (with 9600bps each can give advice).

    Regards T.

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    nietomek
    Level 13  
    Offline 
    nietomek wrote 70 posts with rating 6, helped 2 times. Live in city Rzeszów. Been with us since 2003 year.
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  • #2 13162867
    pawelj
    Level 15  
    And are you sure that your cable to the meter will not falsify the result?
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  • #3 13162917
    SQ9MEM
    Level 29  
    And how can the cable be falsified in the case of digital transmission in this case? Please, do not write nonsense.
  • #4 13163045
    george2002

    Level 21  
    SQ9MEM wrote:
    And how can a cable be false if it's a digital transmission? Please do not write nonsense.


    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 the measurement and the PC has so many elements "that" that it is not difficult to interfere :) but you can always check with and without cable and everything will be explained. ;)

    greetings
    George2002
    Company Account:
    GS electronic Grzegorz Stoliński
    2 Pułku Lotniczego 18, Kraków, 31-857 | Company Website: www.gselectronic.pl
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  • #5 13163167
    SQ9MEM
    Level 29  
    Did anyone know about the soft? It is used for ripping measurement results and not measuring in on-line mode.
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  • #6 15008762
    nietomek
    Level 13  
    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 cable (described in the first post) to the computer (assume that the port COM1) and the meter.
    2. Press the 'M' key in the meter - we hear a characteristic 'peak' and three pulsing horizontal lines should appear on the display.
    3. We run the GLUCOFACTS application ... and within a few seconds the "Meter Detected ..." message should appear and the number of records saved on the meter (in CONTOUR TS it is 250).
    4. If nothing appears, we may have bad communication parameter settings (although the default ones should work in most cases). To change these settings you can follow the steps as in the picture below:
      The simplest cable for the Bayer Contour TS glucometer

    5. If you still have a communication problem, you should look for the fault / error in the cable itself. The cable I described does not require any drivers and works on any Windows system. The condition is to have a min. one serial COM port.
    6. It is possible to use this cable through the USB-RS232 adapter, but such a converter must support DTR lines (pin 4 in the COM port) from which it is "powered" by the cables to the meter.
    7. It is also possible to connect the meter via any USB-SERIAL cable (3.3V or 5V level) that was once used for communication with mobile phones, but the following modification must be made: TX line from the cable must be inverted (NOT gate or NPN transistor) in the "common emitter" system, and the RX line should have "pull-up".

    Checked with CONTOUR TS and LINK glucose meters.

    Good luck.

    PS. I hope that the above description will help solve the problems of people interested in the subject. In case of further problems, I help.
  • #7 15008814
    kassans
    Level 32  
    You can use USB-> RS232 eg Unitek Y-105 for this adapter. ;)
  • #8 15472976
    mureklop
    Level 2  
    Dzien dobry
    do odczytu dany z glukometru w linuxie wykorzystuje kod
    Code: Python
    Log in, to see the code


    nastepnie robie porzadek kodem

    Code: Bash
    Log in, to see the code

    zycze zdrowia
    mureklop
📢 Listen (AI):

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a simple cable solution for reading data from the Bayer Contour TS glucometer using the GLUCOFACTS Deluxe v3.05 program. The user describes a DIY cable that connects the glucometer to a computer with an RS-232 port, highlighting its cost-effectiveness compared to USB alternatives. Concerns about potential data falsification during digital transmission are addressed, with suggestions to verify results with and without the cable. Additional insights include instructions for setting up the GLUCOFACTS software and troubleshooting communication issues. A user also mentions using a USB to RS-232 adapter, specifically the Unitek Y-105, for compatibility. Furthermore, a Linux-based script for data extraction from the glucometer is shared, demonstrating a method for reading and processing measurement data.
Generated by the language model.

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]

Which serial settings must I use?

Set the port to 9600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. Enable DTR. Send byte 0x06 to start the dump, then read each CR-terminated line [Elektroda, mureklop, post #15472976]

How do I read data with GLUCOFACTS Deluxe?

  1. Plug the cable into COM 1 and the meter.
  2. Press “M” until three dashes flash.
  3. Launch GLUCOFACTS; it should display “Meter detected” within 5 s [Elektroda, nietomek, post #15008762]

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]

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]
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