Problem with MAX232 capacitors value

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anhnha

Joined Apr 19, 2012
905
Hi,

I took 2 chips MAXIM MAX232 for my project but there is a prolem when I check MAX232 for test.I have tied capacitors like that attached in this post BUT i do not used capacitors like datasheet.All capacitors is 10uF rather than 1uF like datasheet.When i tied 11 pin(Tin with TTL level) to GND and then measure the voltage at 14 pin(232 output) I have read a value is 4.6V.I think It should be at -10V (232 standard).I have try 2 chips but they are same, with wrong conversion.Do you know this chip is not work?OR this is the problem of the capacitors that I had used.Do i really need to used all 1uF capacitors like datasheet.Could you expain me the value and how these capacitor is used.Thanks.
 

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Markd77

Joined Sep 7, 2009
2,806
MAX232 inverts so you should expect around +7V (typical value from datasheet) on the output if you ground the input.
Measure at pins 2 and 6, they should be +10V and -10V relative to ground.
Check the polarities of the capacitors.
If that fails get the right capacitors, they are a dime a dozen.
 
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