Where can I order paper?
Where can I order parts?
What communication interface do I have?
The Series 150 printer can be purchased with several different communication interfaces. Please use the below chart to identify which interface your printer has:
9 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required: Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 9 pin female.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 10-2020
36 pin Centronics Parallel Adapter
Item No: 98-9931
Cable Required: Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 36 pin Centronics male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800002
USB Interface
Cable Required: USB Cable
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 98-04322
25 pin Parallel Interface
Cable Required: Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800007
25 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required: Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800006
Caution: The 25 pin Parallel and 25 pin Serial interfaces look exactly the same externally. They both use a 25 pin D-shell connection.
A closer look will reveal that the electronics on the actual interfaces boards are different. The best way to determine which 25 pin communication interface is present in the printer is to print a configuration listing from the printer. This listing will show either RS232 Serial or P1284 Parallel. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
What is the difference between parallel and serial communication?
Parallel and serial communications are two distinct ways of getting data from a PC to our printer. Serial communication transmits data on only 2 wires, one for sending and one for receiving one bit at a time. Parallel communication transmits data across multiple wires simultaneously. This provides a faster means of data transmission than serial. A parallel printer must be connected to a parallel port, commonly labeled as an LPT port on a PC. The LPT port should be set for bi-directional, standard, or SPP. A serial printer must be connected to a serial port, commonly labeled as a COM port on a PC. The COM port settings must match the printer serial settings to communicate properly. Please consult your PC’s literature to learn how to change these setting.
What printer driver should I be using?
The correct printer driver depends on what Operating System you are using. You can find the drivers on our website.
Drivers & DownloadsWhy won’t my cash drawer open that is connected to my printer?
The Model 150 printer has an RJ11 cash drawer port for connecting a cash drawer. This port can be hard wired in 3 standard configurations, Ithaca, EPSON, and Star. On the bottom of the printer there is a sticker the will identify which wiring the printer has currently. When purchasing a cash drawer, the correct cash drawer cable for this specified wiring configuration must be ordered. Cash drawer cables are not available from TransAct. Once you have the correct cable, you will still need to send the correct cash drawer command code to the printer to open the drawer. The cash drawer code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Normal IBM
Cash Drawer 1 | ASCII : [ESC] x 1 | DECIMAL: 27 120 1 | HEX: 1B 78 01
Cash Drawer 2 | ASCII : [ESC] x 2 | DECIMAL: 27 120 2 | HEX: 1B 78 02
EPSON
Cash Drawer 1 | ASCII : [ESC] p 0 | DECIMAL: 27 112 0 | HEX: 1B 70 00
Cash Drawer 2 | ASCII : [ESC] p 1 | DECIMAL: 27 112 1 | HEX: 1B 70 01
Star
Cash Drawer 1 | ASCII : [BEL] | DECIMAL: 7 | HEX: 07
Cash Drawer 2 | ASCII : [SUB] | DECIMAL: 26 | HEX: 1A
Microline
Cash Drawer 1 | ASCII : [BEL] | DECIMAL: 7 | HEX: 07
Cash Drawer 2 | ASCII : [BS] | DECIMAL: 8 | HEX: 08
Why won’t my printer cut?
The printer will cut the paper when the printer receives the cut command from the system. This command code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Normal IBM
Cut | ASCII: [ESC] v | DECIMAL: 27 118 | HEX: 1B 76
EPSON
Cut | ASCII: [ESC] i | DECIMAL: 27 105 | HEX: 1B 69
Star
Cut | ASCII: [ESC] d 0 | DECIMAL: 27 100 0 | HEX: 1B 64 00
Microline
Cut | ASCII: [EM] | DECIMAL: 25 | HEX: 19
Why won’t my printer validate forms or checks?
The printer will open and close for validation when the printer receives the commands from the system. This command code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Open for Validation
Normal IBM, Microline, and Telpar
ASCII: [ESC] | DECIMAL: [DC1] | HEX: 27 17 1B 11
Close for Validation
Normal IBM, Microline, and Telpar
ASCII: [ESC] | DECIMAL: [DC3] | HEX: 27 19 1B 13
Why am I missing characters in my print or getting strange characters and symbols?
If it is a parallel printer, be sure the parallel port is set for bi-directional, standard, or SPP. If it is a serial printer, be sure the serial port settings match the printer serial settings. You can verify what the printer serial settings are by printing out the configuration settings from the printer. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
What settings have to be set on my Series 150 Printer when I am using the OPOS driver?
If you are having problems running the OPOS driver and/or are getting a "OPOS_E_NO HARDWARE" Error, make sure the following configuration settings are set on you Series 150 printer when you print out the configuration settings printout from your printer. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
General Emulation Mode: "Normal IBM"
General M50 Compatibility: "Off"
Interface On/Off-line: "Buffer Full only"
Parallel models:
Interface Parallel Mode: "RS1284"
Ithaca 150 Service & Support
