16 open source boards using the MAX232
Real designs built with the MAX232, from public GitHub projects: a quick way to see how others power, decouple and connect it. Each board comes with its KiCad files, full parts list and a render — and you can simulate its firmware on HardLabs.
Dragon64
danwerner21
333.2 × 205.9 mm220 parts2LNo license34
AVR/ArduinoNixiedisp
jtsiomb
140 × 76.1 mm224 parts2LGPL-3.03
FellaPC
agkaminski
284.9 × 96.5 mm107 parts2LCC0-1.02
AVR/ArduinoAPL1
acwright
150 × 100 mm44 parts2LCERN-OHL-P-2.01
Zak180
188 × 128.3 mm128 parts4LCC-BY-NC-4.00
ZAK181
215.3 × 96.8 mm111 parts4LCC-BY-NC-4.00
AVR/Arduino6502 Computer
DomAtTheShack
216.6 × 144 mm74 parts2LNo license0
Backup
333.2 × 205.9 mm218 parts2LNo license34
AVR/Arduino6502 DebugBoard
199.6 × 114.2 mm64 parts2LNo license0
Backup1
333.2 × 205.9 mm218 parts2LNo license34
Z80CTCDART2
lynchaj
100 × 100 mm73 parts2LNo license31
Poncho Grande - Modelo - Ejemplo - Template
ciaa
85.7 × 137.2 mm58 parts2LNo license15
TI-CUBE-Serial-Interface
VE7PMC
99.7 × 99.7 mm31 parts4LGPL-3.010
Z80DUART2
100 × 100 mm70 parts2LNo license31
Z80SERIAL3
100 × 100 mm61 parts2LNo license31
Z80SERIAL2
100 × 100 mm59 parts2LNo license31
The MAX232 in open source designs
The gallery holds 16 open source boards using the MAX232 from 10 GitHub repositories; a typical one measures about 169 × 100 mm and carries around 74 components.
81% are two-layer designs, the rest use four layers or more, and 25% carry an open source license.
The most starred is Dragon64 by danwerner21.
Parts used alongside the MAX232
Microcontrollers on boards using the MAX232
What boards using the MAX232 are built for
MAX232: common questions
Where can I find a MAX232 reference design?
Each of the 16 boards on this page is a real design using the MAX232. Open one to see how it is wired up, with the full BOM, a render of the layout and links to its KiCad files.
What parts are used alongside the MAX232?
The 74HC166, 6551, 74HC00, 74HC138 and 74HC244 appear in the most repositories here.
Which microcontrollers do boards using the MAX232 use?
Most are built on AVR/Arduino (4).
How big is a typical board using the MAX232?
The median is 169 × 100 mm, and 81% are two-layer designs.
What is the most popular open source board using the MAX232?
By GitHub stars, Dragon64 by danwerner21, with 34 stars.
Can I simulate one of these boards using the MAX232 before building it?
Yes. HardLabs turns a board's netlist and BOM into a working simulation, so you can boot and test firmware against it with no hardware on your desk.