panic mode

I didn't play with RTC but this doesn't mean that you are stuck. I am sure someone else will come with ideas. I worse case, instead of changing RTC, you can copy it to PLC memory and modify there at will. regards

well, it was only 5 bytes long...

Thanks for reply I already have just about everything working fine (have to fix few things with target that changes position). At this moment my program can switch windows, read, write and change settings, start and stop system, trigger measurements, receive the the values (they come as one string) and extract each value in different textbox, read picture etc. All that's left is to check pinouts of my cable (trace TX, RX and GND from DB to RJ connector) so I can read communication while playing with buttons on remote. I was hoping someone did it already (I've been doing this few times before). I'm pretty sure that it wont take more than an hour or so... panic mode

The FX2N can be upgraded with RS232 interface that plugs into face of the PLC. This is exactly what we did on few projects for communication with PCs running VB6. The programming port is left for monitoring and changes from development station. Cable from PC running VB to FX RS232 port is just a crossover cable (null-modem). panic mode

Thank you

Hi everyone, I urgently need RS232 cable for Q processor. The delivery time as quoted by our distributor is too long. Does anyone have a pinout. This is "just a cable" (no electronics built in like for SC-09). One end is DB9F and other is 6-pin MiniDIN (like on common PS/2 devices). Regards, panic mode :*-(

The cable pinouts can be found in documentation on AB website. If you are using SLC500 series PLCs, ControlLogix or compact logix, the simple crossover will do: DB9F------DB9F 2-------------3 3-------------2 5-------------5 Original AB cable is little bit more complicated but this one definitely works. In case you are using micrologix, save yourself some time and just buy it (should be ca $30). regards, panic mode

It's not big deal to get PLC with this number of I/O. Temperature also doesn't look bad. I don't have my IP reference handy but this should be no problem either, just take enclosure with higher rating and make sure all knockouts are sealed properly. Most I/O cards are available in configurations of 4, 8, 16 and 32 points. Relay output cards are normally available in up to 16 points. This means that you would need at least 16 of them. (add one more for spare...) 1mA rating is definitelly strange at least for relay output as typical relay output is rated 0.5-2 Amp. Also, I don't remember seeing thyristor outputs on PLC. Besides you have to be sure which type you need as transistors are used for DC and low voltage while for AC you would use triacs. They are NOT interchangable. Since you need only single Analog Input, chances are you would have to go for 4point card. You can put 16 point but that would be waste of money. Serial interface, 4k memory and 100ms scan time are not a problem (those are very low demands). Type of contactors would depend on few factors. Normally contactors with AC coils are cheaper and smaller in size. Since you are looking for relay outputs, it's not a problem to drive contactors directly. Regarding transmitter, noise filter on PLC power line would probably be sufficient since the radio frequency is very high. If case of any problems you can still consider TVSS and UPS. Since this question was posted in AB section, I assume you are looking for something like SLC503 with 13 slot rack and another expansion rack (10 to 13 slot). You could use AB 100C23xxxx contactors and to be safe you could oversize them to next bigger. For all of this, you should normally give a call to your distributor and let them size it for you. regards, panic mode

We are using PC Anywere as well. It does work but it is way too slow - even on most basic 100Mb ethernet network (with two PCs only). (Honestly, MS NetMeeting is faster on 28.8kbps connection.) What else is out there? panic mode

Did you check MX Components? Current version is 3.0 if I'm not mistaken and it should support your CPU. (It is Mitsubishi product as well...) panic mode

I don't know about the others but in my case, customer dictates the hardware. The automotive industry typically have in-house el. departments and standards for control equipment. panic mode

I'm not quite sure what exactly you are looking for. To check how many times an input (or whatever) changes state, simply use counter. That's what they are used for. Next thing would be to find out what do you call period. For slow changing signals, standard digital input would do. If the signal is changing state too fast for your system (particular PLC, scan time, input filter settings...) you would have to use high speed counter input. Small PLCs ("bricks") usually come with pair of inputs that can handle signals up to 2kHz or faster (FX1S from Mitsubishi for example can go to some 100kHz). The rack based PLCs use I/Os in form of separate modules. For high speed signals you would need high speed counter card. They can usually outperform small PLCs (SLC version can go to some 1-1.5MHz). Hope this helps, panic mode

It is true that in some cases USB>COM converters might not perform as expected. Only related problems I have seen so far are that some applications don't support COM ports higher than COM4 and if you use it for data collection on your industrial PC it happens that very first character gets lost. If the application is handscanner this is not so bad but it can casue problems if instead of operator you have an anutomated system. Autoconfigure in RSLinx did work for me (XP). Some colegues who did have issues reported that switching to RocketPort models fixed problem. I'm not sure if this is universal solution as there are no two systems alike and your experience might be different. panic mode

Just go to any computer or electronic store (Radio Shack, Best Buy...) and ask for USB to RS232 converter. The one with single COM output is ca $30. You can see the one I use on link bellow http://datataker.com/products/uc_232a.html panic mode

That shouldn't be a problem... You can use Compatibility Wizard to install anything you want (it comes with XP, just check Help if not sure how to use it). Wizard will ask you what program you wish to install (just navigate to your CD drive and select Setup.exe or whatever you have) and what version of Windows would work for your software (Win95, Win98, Win2000 or NT4 with service pack your choice). Hope this helps, panic mode

What are you actually doing? Do you know how to setup connection? Can you browse in RSLinx and see the PV as active node? What driver you are using and what are the settings? Is there anything else connected? What version of RS Linx and PanelBuilder you have? Since you are using PIC, check the ends of the ribon cable comming out of the PIC box. They can easily get damaged. panic mode

Is ethernet the only option? When tied down with resources I used to bail out using ADAM module on serial port. If you need distance greater than some 100' you can use a pair of converters RS232/422 back to back (B&B etc.). panic mode

Did you consider contacting manufacturer? 1675 Chester Ave. Fourth Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-716-5100 Fax 661-716-5101 Ordering & Quotes: 661-716-5208 panic mode

An HSRV module is SLC servo card (1746-HSRV). I didn't use one in a long time but I sure remember that it worked perfectly. If you need repeatability and accurate positioning, you definitelly need feedback (encoder or resolver would be perfect). If you have drifts despite feedback, problem is definitelly in the feedback. I would check wiring (always first thing to do). Make sure that terminations are clean and shield covers everything but some 1.5-2" of the end of the cable. Just few months ago I was troubleshooting "drifting system" and problem was that shield was removed for good 10" of the cable end wired to high speed counter card. Another thing to check is power for encoder. It better solid connections. Some systems are not monitoring feedback power and short interruptions will not create fault but the feedback reading (and positioning based on it) would drift. Example is 1394 servo drive from AB. So check the encoder power from power supply to encoder point by point and take scredriver in your own hand (don't rely on second person like electrician). If still doesn't work, try to use separate power supply for encoder and consider use of noise filter on the power line (even UPS, at least as a test measure). Besides wiring, check the mechanical connections and eventual play. Don't forget to check the motor cable (must be shielded as well) and grounding. I hope this helps panic mode

Well. I didn't use an analog module on Control Logix yet (didn't need one so far), but I do a lot of analogs on our testing equipment. Normally I would use single ended and as current loop 4-20mA. Current loop is less suspected to noise, interference and loss due cable length. Also unless you use 0-20mA you can detect broken wire or disconnected transmitter. If you are working with small signals (mV range) or require great precision, differential setup would be better choice. panic mode

This is not a fair poll. Since the question is about *favourite PV* and dosn't include criterias like price etc. PV1000 is a clear winner. It would be nice to see what is the product of choice (or brand) and what would they like to see changed in the future version(s). I've been using numerous brands and I still prefer AB touchscreens over competition, so here is my review: Allen Bradley: Supperior documentation and Support (sorry for all Japanese brands). You can quickly get all manuals, cable pinouts etc. from AB website. Good connectivity that can be done in seconds so I can focus on programming. I also *LOVE* pass-through programming. The development time is shorter due better software. This means user friendly, Windows look and feel and SINGLE FILE projects, which is great for version maintenance. Also you don't have to go through long process of starting the software and navigating to the file and folder using tiny "Open" dialog box - just use explorer to find your file and doubleclick on it like you always do. You can make *your* buttons and indicators *ANY* way you like (try this with Japanese products). Attributes can be changed for ANY part of ANY state of ANY object, you can embed bitmaps if you really want to, to give ANY look to ANY objects without lenghty workarounds and dirty work like overlaying etc. Simplicity in editing of object properties (just highlite attributes you like and use copy and paste, you can paste in Excel and edit if you like). Don't take me wrong, PVs are my favourite screens but they are not perfect. For example development software (PanelBuilder32) I just praised is lacking one *most basic feature* = CROSSREFERENCE! (Hey AB, can't you move a finger and have this FINALLY done?). Aslo upon download, PVs tend to evaluate the project for ages before starting application. This part should be done in PC before downloading. Mitsubishi: Software is darn nightmare. So are the manuals. So is the online support. So is the delivery (if they don't have it in stock, and they usually don't you'll have to wait for 3-4 months till they make it). Technical support is not too bad but is usually veeery slow unless you are Japaneese or at least you speak Japanese. With online support they tried to catch-up with competition but the thing is still far cry from being fast, friendly and usefull. The search engine is too slow and extremly inaccurate. Provided keywords are usually generating huge hit-lists and there are absolutelly no manuals for recent products. Received products are often outdated although I had to wait for weeks (and sometimes months) and they came straight from Mitsubishi (manuals, software and firmware). Omron: Software is as bad as the Mitsubishi counterpart but much less expencive. The online/phone technical support is worse as well but my distributor has great support and our local Omron rep is very helpfull. Prices are very good delivery is good. Advantech: Something I liked on EZ Touch is large and still inexpencive screens, quick downloading, ability to work online (this is cool!!!). However do not try this feature unless you are aware of consequences - there is no abilty TO SAVE those changes on your PC (you don't have backup and you cannot download same program to second unit) and there is no option to UPLOAD from screen. Hence, always work offline and then download. panic mode

I was using NT20 on CQM1H. I used to swap cable from PLC to NT20 untill I got USB > COM converter (few bucks) and problem was resolved. I could have both plugged at the same time. Hope this helps, Panic Mode

By 'hertz' and 'count' they mean same thing, which is number of pulses per second. In your case 50 kcps = 50kHz or 10x higher for C200HAlpha than for CPM2A. panic mode

Maybe you just didn't try hard enough... I used www.google.com to search for "A0J2" and found reference to manual IB-66594-A. After that I went to www.meau.com and selected: - download, - all technical manuals, - industrial controls, - PLC-A and got number of matches. Quick search on the page for "A0J2" using Ctrl+F broght me to IB-66594-A manual which shows dimensions and pinouts for the A0J2-S91. The whole research lasted less than 3 minutes... Also, you could call tech support at 1-800-950-7781. Regards, panic mode

i'm not sure what could this be used for but this is simpe code that should do what you are asking for: ld x0 pls m0 ; create pulse ld m0 inc d0 ; and use it to increment counter ld>= d0 k12 mov k0 d0 ; ensure counter rollover ld= d0 k1 out y0 ; on first pulse turn y0 ON etc. ld= d0 k3 out y1 ld= d0 k5 out y2 ld= d0 k7 out y3 ld= d0 k9 out y4 ld= d0 k11 out y5 panic mode