pro17

I have severe problems with CX-Supervisor on some computers. SCADA hangs every few days reporting problem with CDMserver (communication stops), and when I am closing cx-s application I get error: CXDBMS.exe "could not write ...". The same app is installed on 6 computers on the same FinsGateway network for several days, and I get this error only on one of them. Does anyone have experience what could cause this. I suspect a HW issue, but WinXP system works without problems. Anyone solved this, suggestions? Best regards, JinX

I had this problem: - customer has PPPoE connection to his ISP - ISP doesn't provide static IP for the connection - I have PPPoE connection and static IP assigned (ie: 193.12.34.56) - PLC has ethernet module - CX-.... (Supervisor, Programmer) doesn't allow using URL like "myomronplc.com" as the ethernet address for a PLC (you have to set an IP address - something like "192.168.2.2") The way I overcome this problem: - I connected PLC to the router in local lan (ie: router 192.168.2.1, plc: 192.168.2.2) - I created a host name within dyndns.com services (ie: myomronplc.dyndns.info), seting it as "host my IP" (where IP is current dynamic IP of customers router) - this service is FREE and I also believe its very reliable - set up router to use Dynamic services provided from DynDns (most routers have this option). Just type in account information, password and provider (ie: DynDns.org) - this data is from your dyndns account! Now your router is taking care of giving the right IP to the dyndns service provider (ie: your domain myomronplc.dyndns.info has different IP address every day, but dyndns.org now knows this address as it changes!) - set up PLC to use routing table - setting my static IP (ie: 193.12.34.56) But CX-Supervisor or CX-Programmer needs an IP set in PLC configuration, not URL, right? So I installed PassPort service in my local machine. What it does? It simply provides port forwarding. - now setup your passport service to use port forwarding from 127.0.0.1:9600 to myomronplc.dyndns.info:9600 (you can have diferent local ports of your machine forwarded to port 9600 PLC is using - so you can connect many PLCs on different locations with dynamic IPs) - of yourse the only thing you have to do is setup PLC address in your CX-P or CX-S. Just use your localhost address - 127.0.0.1 and the port you specified - 9600 as your source port. - connect! Both DynDNS and PassPort are FREE OF CHARGE. link to DynDNS: http://www.dyndns.com/ link to passport: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pjs-passport/ Best regards, Jinx

I can confirm this behaviour is normal. The problem is that some Function Blocks use this restart bit (output is programmed in FB). If FB is locked you don't have access to source code and can't erase this in it. I was using Modbus_CPU function blocks for all functions Fn01,02,03,04, 06, and 15. Every one of FB's had restart bit in it. I erased them and used restart bit only in my main program, which works perfectly. Best regards, Gregor

Hi, I use RS232 port to communicate with Modbus slave. Sometimes I get Port error flag (A392.04) and I would like to reset port with output A526.00. This doesn't work. I need to set PLC to programm mode and back to monitor mode to reset port. Has anyone experience on this matter? best regards, JinX

Hi, I downloaded driver for Modbus TCP from Omron software download area. Installed properly. Driver connects to modbus device and retrieves initial values, but after that, no value is trasferred at all. Tried it also with Excel with same results. It doesn't matter if it is on Win Xp or Win7. Unfortunatelly technical support on MyOmron hasn't responeded for a week now. Has anyone a sollution? Best regards, JinX

An update: it works well for a month now (test writes every minute), so I believe this sollution is OK. Best regards, JinX

Nowadays CF cards have higher capacity than supported by PLC, also PLCs use FAT16 file system, and don't support FAT32 or NTFS yet. This is a tutorial on how to get CF card working in CJ1 or CS1. I bought 4GB CF card Apacer (photo series). 1) Use a program to erase partition on CF card. I used ActivePartitionManager "from http://www.lsoft.net" (free). 2) Create new - smaller partition (I created 2GB partition). I left other space unpartitioned. 3) Format newly created partition in FAT16 file system. 4) Test / use it in PLC. I haven't done serious testing on CF card in PLC, but writing CSV file every minute is working well for now (writing is done with the PLC program). Best Regards, JinX

Hi, memory usage can grow if you run some JScripts or VBScripts from CX-Supervisor. Any other suggestion on memory leakage? I am trying one new approach: I disabled Microsoft NGEN service (.Net 4.0). I read this service running on Win XP can cause problems on network and slow app. running. It's to soon to post a confirmation (running for 12 hours now). Regards, JinX

Hi, thx for helping... yes, I get a message with red circle and a cross. Application error, Event ID: 1000, Application: cdmsvr32.dll, address: 0x52004500 I checked memory usage, but it seems OK. Also there is enough PC memory. This application runs very stable on another computer. Only communication hangs, CX-Supervisor still works, and I can call pages and login/logout ... I suspect there is a problem with hardware, but the problem is, everything (system Windows XP) seems to work without problems. Best regards, JinX

It works, but I had to use different UDP port number to start communicating! I couldn't use UDP port 9600! Great component for simple applications. Thx!

Hi, importing CSV file into DataLog Viewer (2.0.0.13) is showing data shifted for one hour (my local time is GMT+1). In my opinion DataLogViewer checks the local time zone and shifts time to show as GMT! Strange and not welcome at all. At least there should be some property to set for this to happen (this setting is also stated in a help file, but isn't available in application). Best Regards, JinX

Hi, I am looking at specification in this site: Omron CJ1 specification linkl It states: So I can use built in serial port (host link port) for serial gateway communication / modbus RTU? Does this depend on CX-Programmer version I use? Someone please confirm, since I am trying to do this but am having lots of problems. Best regards, JinX

Thank you PMCR, my manual is W342-E1-11. I still hope/wish Omron will "enable" Modbus RTU for built-in serial ports. I got SCU unit, and everything is working as it should. Thx, JinX

Hi PMCR, thx for your answer. That is exactly what I thought CMND should do. I expected it to work also with CJ1 built in port (please see specifications: link in my first post). FINS commands manual states:

Wow !?! That is a twist! I bet majority does not understand serial gateway like this. I mistakenly thought CMND function does what you clarified (just like PMCR function can). Especially because on CP series PLC you can use a program to communicate with Modbus protocol (easy modbus) on CPU serial port. Please refere us to the manual where we can read this. Does this mean I can use a software on a PC, sending FINS commands (like 2804 for Modbus) to the CPU RS232 unit, which will strip off FINS header and forward Modbus message through serial port, and then return it back? thx, JinX

I found very strange behaviour with CX-Server. I am using old CX-Supervisor v1.33, and this is what I found out: - CX-Server 1.7.2.. - on starting CX-Supervisor sets many points in a PLC to zero - or empty (I only checked text points - I/O) - CX-Server 4.1.1.3 - comm. works for few days, than it stops communicating - CX-Server 4.3.0.9 - comm works for few days/hours and then stops. I can use Open PLC to open connection again (this is PC1). But it somehow blocks CPU communications to another PC (this is PC2) with CX-Supervisor and Cx-Server 1.7.3.1 - on PC2 I can't reestablish connection with PLC Open, until I restart comm from another PC (PC1) using CX-Server 4.3.0.9. Even restarting PC2 doesn't help in establishing connection! - CX-Server 4.2... - comm works for a few days, then stops. STRANGE as in CX-Server 1.7.2.. it sets many points in a PLC to zero (I only checked text points - I/O), when starting CX-Supervisor. I really feel Omron should post info on CX-Server upgrades and FAQ on changes made and bugs! I would also expect CX-Server upgrades available to users! Best regards, JinX

Hi, Problem: You have SCADA CX-Supervisor v1.xx installed on an (very) old PC and you want to replace it with a brand new one. New PCs often don't have a native printer (LPT) port anymore. You install new printer port (ie. PCI card) onto motherboard, Windows installs it properly but IRQ and memory address is shared with other devices. After installing CX-Supervisor onto new PC, you would like to activate hardlock dongle protection. But you can't!!! When you try to activate hardlock dongle you get an error and activation isn't possible. Many times Omron is telling us we should upgrade and use USB dongle instead. Of course this costs some money. Sollution: This link provides newer driver for a hardlock dongle: http://www.aladdin.com/support/hardlock/downloads.aspx Download file: hldrv32.zip Install included exe file. Now you can activate your copy of CX-Supervisor with hardlock dongle on LPT (printer) port. Enjoy!

New version of Cx-Supervisor 3.0 is built on .net technology. This way points (and alarms) database "can" be accessed by a .net application (ie. Web application). I would like a working example and a manual for this feature. I didn't find any on Omron web pages. Anyone has done this yet? Best Regards, JinX

Maybe you could try fins messaging instead using SEND and RECV commands? This is like getting (RECV) data on demand onto one PLC (ie. the third one) from another two PLCs. You just need to program (control) the third PLC to do this. JinX

Hi Sleepy Wombat, could you please suggest suitable multiplexer? After further investigation I found out LG-Ni1000 is not a thermocouple. It is RTD - resistor temperature detector, which changes resistence according to the temperature, like Pt100 does. look at this link: http://www.siemens.co.kr/bt/erp/erpmenus/p...les/QAM2120.pdf

I am trying to do a HVAC application with CJ1 PLC, but have old peripheral sensors allready installed: Siemens (Landis&Gyr) QAM ... etc Some CJ1 thermocouple input units (PTS15) or universal input units (AD04U) can use Pt100, and ThermoCouple sensors. It states I can connect K, J, T, L, R, S, B thermocouples and/or Pt100, Pt1000, JPt100 inputs. Sensors that are used in this HVAC is LG-Ni1000 or T1(PTC)! Has anyone used this "old" sensors with Omron Input units? Maybe I will need a multiplexer to connect several sensors into one input - any suggestions? Has anyone used any converters LG-Ni1000 to 4..20mA or 0..10V? Best regards, Jinx P.S. Universal Input unit CJ1W-AD04U (4*I,U or TC inputs) costs around 40% less than CJ1W-PTS51 (only 4*TC inputs), and 65% less off PTS15 (2*TC inputs)

First you need to learn Modbus message format. Learn here: http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/info/modbus.html For send and receive messages look at my first post. This messages are correct for doing Modbus RTU communication. Also, you donwloaded PMCR code and CX-P code. This does work as it should.

This is strainge. I wrote Modbus/RTU messages I use to communicate with some equipment (5 devices). This is the way I prepaired messages: 1) Send messages 2) Receive messages 3) Modbus sequence / steps 4) Protocol 5) Tracing messages!!! - look at error description in a picture As you can see, step 13 isn't executed at all. It looks like PLC isn't even trying to send the step13 message! Also step12 message gets returned as it should, but the data isn't written into DM area as it should! Other steps works, also data is written into DM area. Any suggestions? JinX

Found a problem. In recieve messages there are some limitations on writing message data through Message Variable. Variable 261 and 271 were to big. Changed them and now it works OK, also step13 is working. JinX

I came across this problem some time ago! I use web sinchronisation of my PC Clock with NTP servers, and every hour I sync my PLCs from within CX-Supervisor. This is my sollution: 1) CX-Supervisor created points (copy/paste): Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC --> set time in PLC is an Array point (4 fields), starting address W500 Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC Integer On Request PLC I/O PLC W500 4 Single word unsigned BCD Always Update Enabled 0 to 9999 [0] None Read Only Read Only Volatile No Description Sinhroniziraj_uro --> this is a control bit, to set PLC time with values in point Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC Sinhroniziraj_uro Boolean On Request PLC I/O PLC W504.0 1 Bit Always Update Enabled Off / On [FALSE] None Read Only Read Only Volatile No Bit za sinhronizacijo ure v PLCju 2) CX-Supervisor script, executed cyclic every hour: Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC[0] = $Minute*100 + $Second Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC[1] = $DayOfMonth*100 + $Hour Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC[2] = $ShortYear*100 + $Month Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC[3] = $WeekDay Sinhroniziraj_uro=1 OutputPoint(Nastavi_Cas_v_PLC) OutputPoint(Sinhroniziraj_uro) 3) You only need to do a very little program change in PLC: You could also install NTP server on your PC and use Ethernet settings in PLC to do synchronisation (if you use ethernet cards in PLCs - does not work with PLCs with embedded ETN like CJ1M-CPU13ETN). Best regards, JinX