OIDMBTRTECH

the Hamlin relays used in focus drives start logic on the main pcb, can be a bit of a pain. I have replaced too many. If you are looking for a better solution, look seriously at a 3 hp VFD and a marathon black max motor. I recommend the V7 or 3G3 MV Yaskawa/Omron for your situation. At the 3 hp level you should be able to get both for around a grand. The drive can have external controls and speed pot or use the built in operator if so equipped. Using a 3% reactor on the VFD input helps with noise both ways. I have seen many single phase 5 hp and less DC drives on welders and on the ones converted to VFD, they run much steadier and smoother too. The DC bus in a VFD helps with line voltage variations. A DC drive with no tach like the Focus 2, have 5% speed regulation characteristics. The VFD has about a 0.5% or better speed regulation characteristic. If you do not want to convert to a VFD, I have seen using a regualr single phase transformer, rated for at least 50% bigger than the drive/motor help out quite a bit. The xfmr helps smooth out noise and eliminates line grounds from getting to the drive and motor. It also helps when the motor grounds or drive has issues by limiting what gets put back to the line.

My company sometimes includes "start-up time" in with controls we build. We also state up front that any time we must wait for others to complete work is "stand-by time". If we cannot complete our work in the allotted time due to stand-by time, we then charge the going hourly rate. If a service tech/engineer must actually log stand-by time, it is logged in the service report when it started and when finished. A word to the site supervisor of stand by time starting and a detailed accounting of time also helps prove you were not just standing around running up the bill. BTW, if you give them an inch, they will take a mile.

The F7 or 3G3-RV, is better suited for following an encoder directly. It has an encoder input card. You would be better served to get an encoder to voltage board and feed the V7 from it. Carotron makes a variety of boards to take almost any type of signal and convert it to what you need. I have seen one that had 1 encoder in and 4 analog outputs.

That was my first thought too.

You have 2 choices. First choice is CS1W-CN626 which connects to the periphal port, it is 6 meters long. I believe CN226 is the 2 meter shorty one. I like the long one as it allows me to safely set my laptop on a table and connect to the PC. Second is C200H-CN229EU. This cable is DB9 to DB9 and is about 2 meters long.

They WILL send you any document you ask for.

Yes I was talking about the US site www.omron247.com. Yes you have to register now to get documentation. How about that new "SERVICE PLUS" logo? I like it. I tried to use the document library and it is NO longer available on line. Even my document disks do not get to the older product I need documents on. I got my CX-ONE update. It came on a DVD and I do not have a DVD player for my laptop. I was told to expect 3 to 4 hours to install by a co-worker. Any truth in that time amount from those that have done it already?

Omron is currently doing a lot of improvments to all areas. Check out the new web site.

Have you considered using the omron cable from the PLC then jumpering from the cable end to the ribbon cable at the terminals? you will be crowded at the plc to say the least, but usually by terminal strips there is a tad bit more elbow room.

I always twist. I also make sure I put enough to bottom out and try to not leave any wire exposed. I redo any connection I find that has a stray strand. I only fold when I have small wire and a large hole. While we are discussing terminating, do you prefer ratcheting crimpers that insure a specific crimp or pliers type that the crimp depends on the strength of the person squeezing? I prefer using ratcheting crimpers. I have one paladin and one Thomas & Betts that alaigns the lugs.

All good controls guys are excellent mechanics too. Most mechanics run from that electrical stuff. Since the mount was welded down, I won't ask if the bolts were locktited. Additionally, I won't suggest thay you set the VFD carrier frequency to its lowest setting to help stop the mechanical vibrations that caused the loosening of the parts. Yes, the carrier freq in a VFD can and does cause some machines to vibrate. Not too often but it may have been some of the problem. If you could figure out the freq of the dither and you could compare it to the VFD carrier freq.

The CJ is supposed to be a 20 year platform as is the CS. The CQM1 probably will be available for a while. Usually there is a good level of spare parts in the system. That and the St. Charles repair center is top notch. BTW, you are on a BEAUTIFUL island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The CQM1 is a good PLC but the CJ1 is a GREAT PLC. The CJ1 is the platform for the future. It has so much more capability. If you have an older version of CX-Programmer, the CJ can be programmed with it, but some functions are not available. I recommend you get CX-ONE and see just where OMRON is going with PLC's and automation.

If you purchase the ZEN starter kit you get the cable, software and the ZEN cpu.

If you are going to upagrade, I suggest you look at the CS instead of the CJ. You can use the RM201, RT201 and all of the existing digital I/O modules. I recently did such an upgrade. I did have to use new analog I/O. Depending on which CPU you get, determines what communicaitons are available built in. You get the back plane made for mixing the I/O. I originally wanted to go to a CJ and the Guru's at Omron suggested the CS as the C200 I/O modules will be supported for a while and if they fail a CS I/O is a direct replacement. This saved more $$ than you would think.

Is this supposed to be a step up from the NSJ's? Chris, have you compared the NSJ's with what you are using?

Sounds like an "AB is the only way to go" programmer talking.

I had a limited usage with SLC-500 APS did some hardware work on PLC 2's and 5's and was learning PLC Direct when I got involved with OMRON PLC's again. My first PLC was a C20. I have found CX-Programer is fairly intuitive and the tech support is the best from any manufacturer I have ever called for help. You can customize the icon bars to suit your needs and preferences. Anything you did with AB you can do with OMRON. Some of the OMRON guru's hang out here and at plcs.net too so help is not far away.

CX-ONE is an inclusive software package. It is the foundation of the direction OMRON is going. CX-PROGRAMER is a part of the CX-ONE software package. The previous cost of CX-Programer was about the same $$$ that CX-ONE costs. You get a HUGH bang for your buck these days. Unfortunately you cannot buy just CX-Programmer by itself these days. You are not being jerked around by a commission compensated sales type trying to make a buck at your expense. Once you get CX-ONE in your possession and you see what it truly can do, you will be pleased and amazed. You will have the ability to password protect you program. You should get your hands on all of the manuals for the specific CPU you are doing to get the best documentation. You can download and print it, but you will spend more $$$ in ink than the manual costs.

My research has found CPM1A-MAD01 and CPM1A-MAD11 as the analog options for the CPM1A. Are these units a bit on the old side?

You are welcome. I am trying to learn how to be a PLC programmer. I am quite adept at most anybody's drives. I have advanced programming training from Yaskawa on all G3, VG3, G5, G5M and P5 drives. I have not had time to get the *7's but I have been installing and programing on them all the time. I have gotten excellent help in my PLC endeavors and will contribute any time I have info that will help others.

That board is a Yaskawa DO-02 digital output card. Hence the lack of actual OMRON relays. In the G5 it is programmed F5-01 for ch1 and F5-02 for channel two. If you do not have a manual, you can enter the programming mode, go to F5-01 and scroll thru the available parameters. They will display in text their function in what ever language you have programmed. Channel 1 is defaulted to parameter "0", During RUN 1. Or on during run. Channel 2 is defaulter to parameter "1", Zero Speed. Self explanitory. The purpose of this board is to provide additional digital outputs beyond the available ones on the drive or being relay contacts, provide isolation.

I have used MSD 6 boxes for over 25 years with good results. I have seen several versions run on motor cycles including a couple of drag Harley's with dual plugs like you have. As the ignition box is an amplifier, it will cause the plugs to fire while cranking even if the battery voltage drops below 10 volts. I have not played with the electronically adjustable boxes. They do look to be much easier to set up and change. I have done my share of curving distributors advance using weights, springs and vacuum pots.

I missed the up down count needs.

If the "in position" is a micro switch activation, a ZEN could do what he wants. Input the position desired. The apparatus moves to the desired position and the micro switch says I am here. I would have an interposing relay to power the motor starter.