Hello,

I just started working for a start-up with not alot of start up money. I have recently been able to aquire 2 PLC 5/25 controllers along with the neccessary 1771-OAD and 1771-IAD modules which I need for the system. However, I do not hav the neccessary software to program the controller and as I said before, the company is not willing to pay around $3500 for the software plus $375 for the support. Are there any software alternative available that will both work well with AB PLC-5 controller and also be reliable as well while not costing much? Thank you for your time.

I have the software and It won't cost you over $4000.00 to program your PLC's for you...

[/QUOTE]I have the software and It won't cost you over $4000.00 to program your PLC's for you...[QUOTE]

???

What do you mean?

He means he'll do the programming for you and not charge over $4000. At least that's what it sounds like.

If paying the prices AB wants is a stopper for you then consider not using AB. Otherwise, bit the bullet, get more funding if necessary, and go at it with the most widely used systems in the US.

I'm confused. What are your requirements? How much I/O do you have? What type of communication requirements do you have? Is the reason you are using a PLC 5 because it's the only PLC you have? It may be that using the PLC 5 is overkill and you have a more cost effective alternative. You may be able to sell/trade those 2 processors for the cost of a more smaller plcs with software and money to spare :)

Relatively speaking the cost of software is low for someone who is going to implement more than a few systems. Otherwise, a systems integrator might be the best option for you.

Based upon the I/O modules you listed, you only have discrete inputs/outputs.
How many of each?
What are you trying to control, how complex is it?
Based upon the answers to these questions, it might be cheaper to either buy different hardware, or pay someone to do your programming for you.

I do not have any experience with the Automation Direct products, but I have been to the website a few times. Since you are a start up, with limited capital, AD may be your best bet. I believe the software is less than $500.00, and the hardware is much cheaper than Allen-Bradley.

Brian,
FasTrak SoftWorks, has a complete A-B PLC-5 software application for full Online, offline programming, etc. It is about 55% the cost you've expressed. It includes a full year warranty with unlimited tech support. Feel free to contact me for further info, cost, or a demo.
jim@fast-soft.com
262.238.8088

and I hate to be a wet blanket ... but ... if your processors are PLC-5/25 models, then you won't be able to use a cheap RS-232 cable to communicate with them ... you'll have to get into the DH+ (Data Highway Plus) communication game ... that can be rather expensive - about $1500 list price ... if you need more information about this particular topic, then post again and tell us whether you're using a laptop or a desktop computer for programming ... and if it's a desktop, do you have ISA or PCI slots available for adding cards? ...

basic idea: PLC-5/25 are "classic" processors ... they don't have built-in RS-232 ports like the "enhanced" models do ... sorry ... but I figured you'd better find out about this sooner rather than later ...

good luck with your project ...

(I know how much the rest of you dislike buying used stuff on Ebay, but..)
He could get by with a KT card and aftermarket-replacement 1784-CP cable on ebay for about $50-75. This assumes he could tolerate using a older, slower desktop system with an available ISA slot. If not, he could move up a few $$ and get a KTX (still would require an ISA slot though). Just thought I'd throw that out there, since he mentioned cost is the operative factor..

But I agree with the conventional wisdom that if there isn't some requirement that he learn the PLC-5, he could probably do quite well with a micrologix, fixed SLC, or modular SLC system. That would be a much more cost-effective and practical platform to learn on.