Any new Interface options for PLC5?

[waterboy 7]

A while ago I was looking for a way to use my laptop that only had an expresscard slot (not pcmcia) to program PLC5 over DH+. I have since bought the DuelAdaptor from DuelSystems which does NOT work for the PCMK card (and BTW I told them proir to purchase what I was using it for and they said if it didn't work I could return it. When I told them it didn't work they wanted 20% restocking fee to take it back. Fool me once...) Does anyone know if AB has come up with any newer interface options so I can use this laptop?

[Mickey 71]

Does your laptop have a USB port? Is your PLC5 an enhanced PLC5,11,20,30,40,60 or 80? If so then but a USB to serial adapter "Keyspan" and use the serial port.

[waterboy 7]

The ones that have the serial port use it to connect to our Radio Telemetry. A USB to DH+ adapter is long overdue!

[Wandering 0]

A Control Logix Gateway, expensive but works. now that's something we need minaturized

[Ken Roach 194]

A lot of users go with the 1785-ENET "sidecar" to add Ethernet capability, but you asked specifically about DH+. There is a 3rd party 1770-KF2 copycat that will get you USB to DH+ connectivity, from www.protocolconverter.com. I have only ever seen their RS232/DH+ converter, but their datasheets say they'll do USB as well. I have heard about a development project for standalone USB/network converters from A-B, including a USB/DH+ module, but I have not seen a prototype or a schedule. Maybe at Automation Fair. DH+ is still be widely used, but I think the market for ExpressCard interfaces is very small compared to USB interfaces. We're not going to see a 1784-KTXEC. Once upon a time I made a big stink to my boss about wanting a -PCMK card so I could edit and monitor PLC-5 controllers while actually viewing the machines (the controllers were in the MCC room). I got back to my office after a trip to find a 200 foot low-capacitance serial cable, that weighed about 10 pounds.

[gravitar 3]

How attached to you to that particular notebook? Seems to me that replacing it with one that has PCMCIA slots would be the path of least resistance

[waterboy 7]

I'm fairly attached to it but I certainly see your point. Still a USB device should be made available for this purpose. I agree with Ken that expresscard wont get adopted, but USB should. Thats all I really hope for.