scsteve

Nice work. I really like the way, XREF ladder works. For some reason, it made everything "click" in my head. I think it makes the flow of logic easy to see. The lamp test is a great routine also. So many ways to write a program. Thanks again.

I'm using a ML1100 16 pt. processor, with OW8 output card. I'm trying to turn on 10 outputs one second apart. Position 11 output stays on. Using the sqo instruction. My processor has six embedded outputs. Using the OW8 for the remaining outputs I need. I'm not sure how to transition from one sqo instruction to another. Or if I even did it right. I think addressing is an issue. I'm thinking I need one sqo instruction for the embedded outputs and one for the OW8 card. Here's the code I wrote so far. countdown.RSS

I'm using RS Logix Micro to program with. Thanks for the advice BIN95. I will try it. I'm a little fuzzy on the output cross reference subroutine concept. I have the ML1100 here at home. I will write a new program, and bench test it. I guess, I have always wondered how you would use the SQO instruction, with multiple output cards. I was thinking addressing would be a nightmare. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Wrote in the code, XIO I:0.0/0 MOV 0 O:0.0 , works great. This is an amazing and helpfull site. I was just wondering. Where does the MOV instruction get the value of 0 from? I guess I'm asking from what file does it come from? Last year I didn't have the SQO instruction figured out. So I used TON timers. All 39 of them. And the OTE instruction. I didn't like it at all. I was limited on the light pattern. And the program looked horrible. A lot of upside down"wedding cakes" LOL. I study the code you guys write. And it looks very professional, neat and eficcient. And easy to navigate through. Nothing beats experience.

After a lot of research and studying, I finally figured out the SQO instruction. Here's the problem. I'm using a ML 1000 32 pt. I loaded a program to control Christmas lights. Yes, Christmas lights. I use an external timer to start and stop the program. I noticed that, when I turn off the input. The outputs would stay on. Depending on which position the SQO was in. I tried a re-set instruction. The control re-set to position 0. But, the outputs stayed on. I'm missing something here. What instruction do I need to turn off all outputs?

Yes, I want all outputs off, when I turn off I:0/0. Thanks for sharing your knowledge guys. I was thinking I needed a MOV instruction, but, was unsure. Seeing the actual code written into my program, was like turning a light on in my head. I was also thinking, the SQO instruction could be a hazardous thing. I was thinking about inadvertant machine operation, after a power outage, or some kind of disruption in the SQO position. I noticed, when I turned off the power to my ML 1000. And powered it up again, it would resume operation on the position it was on, when power was removed.

I trigger the SQO by an external timer, wired into an input. Then ton timers trigger the position of the SQO. Here's the code. TEST_BAK066.RSS

I tried the RS Logix starter with a series "e" L10, I got off of ebay. It did not work. My version of the free software, said, series f only. So, instead of buying a trainer for 250 bucks, which is limited to the L10. I bought the RS Logix Micro software. Which will program any Micrologix, for 130 bucks from AB. So now, I can write programs. "Bench test it". And if it doesn't work, go back in and watch it execute the program and try to figure out why it does not work. And if I can't figure out why, I ask for help in this forum. A lot of intelligent people here. They will help you, but, they will not do your work for you.

You guy's, who had constructive input on my original thread,"please grade me" thank you again. I comissioned my first program, mid november. The train crossing. Well, not so smooth. Get a call, it's not working. I'm thinking, it "bench tested great", it ran for three days on the bench. Using a ML 1000, 10 point. It started to fault out. A hard fault. Software error. I use the help menu, and it said to check grounding. I checked grounding, again and again. Sometimes it would fault out immediately, sometimes hours or days. The help menu also said to check surge suppresion. I had surge suppresion on the processor. I figured that was enough. So wrong I was. I used slave relays to control the lights, bell and gate. Four to be exact. They are general purpose 8 pin "ice cube relays", operating at 110 volts a.c. Installed surge supression on my relays, and all is good. No fault for thirty days. I guess I am asking how can a slave relay cause so much trouble? I'm sure you guys could of figured out my problem in no time,but, I was trying to diagnose the problem on my own.

Thanks, for the info guys. It was a great deal of help. I now understand inductive kick. And better options, besides ice cube relays. On another note. I have a Ml 1000 here at home, I use to practice with and learn new code. I have RS Logix Micro on my laptop. Right now I am trying to figure out the sqo programming. And, yes, I am having a little trouble. I am gonna give myself a little more time. And then Steve

Well said, it's like your first car. You'll never forget it. I know you guy's deal with a lot more complicated programs than mine. But to me my first program was written in gold. Think about it, way back when, you commisioned your first program. You guy's shared your knowledge, which is so appreciated.

Thank you to everyone for their constructive input. It was a lot of help. The train crossing works great. Had to go back in and adjust the timing of the lights and bells. When I downloaded the program to my processor(10 pt micrologix), and then "bench tested" it. It was the most amazing thing, when it started to run through the program. I was so proud of myself. For a split second, I believed I could program the space shuttle. I never could find a 10 pt. series f micrologix. And the ones I did find were too much money. So, I ended up buying the RS Lgix Micro software. 150 bucks shipped. I have that software on my laptop. You guy's rock.

Hello, my first post. Been lurking around here for a month. A lot of good info here. Here's my background. Been an electrician all my life. My industrial experience started fifteen years ago. I understand "real world relay logic"(old school). I remember control cabinets with so many relays it would make your head spin. My experience with plc's is mostly taking care of and trouble shooting the inputs and outputs. The plant engineer always took care of the actual programming and tweeking of it. Now, I need to learn the programming end of it. Volunteered for a project. Here's my first program. Just follow the link. Any constructive input is appreciated. I'm a big fan of kiss(keep it simple stupid). lol I used rs logix starter. Thanks, Steve http://www.carpron.com/multisite/v/Upload/...y/plc0.jpg.html http://www.carpron.com/multisite/v/Upload/...y/plc1.jpg.html

I found a used micrologix controller. Pulled it out of a abandoned control cabinet. Got it for free. It's a 1761-L10BWA series E. Brought it home. It powered up. No fault light. And is in run mode. After struggling with rs linx, I was able to set up communications. I was not able to go online with the processor. RS Logix says it only supports 10 point, series f processors. So the hunt is back on for a 10 point processor. If anyone comes across one, let me know. Maybe do a trade or something. Thanks for all the constructive input. It has been invalueable.

That's a perfect solution. Looks like I got some studying to do. I guess what I really need to know. The program I wrote, will it work? Was my thinking in the right direction? Steve

Hey guys, just got power back on. Been out for four days. This train has an operator on the engine. There are two plates on the train that hit the limit switches. One on the left side of the engine to hit limit switch one(train approaching). One on the right side, on the last car to hit limit switch two (train departing). Limit switch one is fifty yards before the crossing. The train moves around the track at a max speed of five miles per hour. There are four other crossings in the park. They were upgraded in 2004. The zoo ran out of money to do the last one. The other four are using micrologix controllers. And during a power outage the existing gates stay up. Which I thought was odd. I would prefer my gate to lower on power outage. The force on the existing gates is not much. You can actually lift it up. The gate I am working on is manually operated. A person is actually lowering the gate and turning on the bell and lights. This gate is right next to the train station. This train has actually broke down and had to roll back into the station, crossing two crossings. And the gates don't work backing up. A person has to walk ahead of the last car, to make sure the crossing is clear. I think this is unsafe. I'll take some pics today.

I understand about the description. I can not open your file. I'm using the RS logix starter. It will not let me open it. Would love to see it. I'm doing this project for the Cincinnati Zoo. They survive on donations and taxpayer support. They are a non-profit organization. So far got all the material donated. Just lacking a micrologix 10 point plc. I'll probably just try to get one off ebay. I don't mind spending my own money. The zoo does a lot for the community. I understand real world cascading relay timers. And that's why i used them in my program. I need to figure out the real time plc clock. The gate has a pneumatic cylinder on it. I'm bleeding the air off to lower the gate. And in case of a power failure, the gate will bleed off and lower itself. I was thinking about safety. Train out on the track, power failure, no bell or lights for the pedestrians, but, they still have a gate in their way. I have seen reed switches used on pneumatic cylinders. They would sense the edge of the pneumatic piston as long as your cylinder was aluminum. Thanks for the input.

I see what you guy's mean. This is a train crossing, where pedestrians cross. This is a kiddie ride. Train approaches, hits momentary contact limit switch. This initiates the bell ringing, the lights flashing and a gate to come down. The gate is on a delay, to give people a chanc to get out of the crossing. When the train leaves the crossing, it hits another momentary contact limit switch. This initiates a delay off so the train can clear the crossing. End of program. I went through and added descriptions to all the inputs and outputs. While doing this, it looked like to me, limit switch 1 is too redundent. ?? Seems like I have too many rungs for such a simple operation. What cracks me up, is, I can make this work with a few 8 pin relays and timing relays. I refuse to go down that path. I need reliability and versatility.