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hboyer90

MicroLogix1000 for home automation/ projects?

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Hey guys, so for a while I've been wanting to get a little PLC for home that I can play with and just have some fun with. I don't know exactly what I will do with it, I mean I live in a 1 bedroom apartment in Minneapolis, so I don't exactly have a large workshop to set up projects, but maybe some home automation type stuff. I'll probably set up a little test board with din rail and terminals and just mess around with it when I get bored. Anyways... so I wasn't sure what to get. I've always liked Allen Bradley, but the licenses are so expensive, obviously. But now with my current job I have to take my laptop home in case someone needs support on one of our machines, so I have RSLogix5, 500 and 5000 software/licenses installed on my laptop, so I can just use that. So I was looking at my options. I was thinking about getting an Aurduino or Raspberry Pi, but I kind of wanted to stay with Allen Bradley since that is what I use at work, and I may as well learn as much as I can about that. Well anyways, 2 nights ago I had a few too many drinks after work and I was browsing eBay for used PLCs and I bid on/won a MicroLogix1000. It seemed like a good idea at the time, it says its fully functional, it has free shipping is only $85, and since I already have the software... So what are your guys' thoughts on the MicroLogix1000? To be specific, the one I bought was the: 1761-L32BWA MICROLOGIX-1000 Besides the software and the computer cable, is there anything else I will need? I don't need expansion cards with this, unless I want, because it has i/o built into the controller, correct? I will just need a 120VAC and 24VDC power supply? Thanks! Edited by hboyer90

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l have few ML1000's and they are great for learning programming, pity you didn't get the analogue type, as then you can do most things a rack plc can do. They just lack some of the scaling abilities of the big brothers. As you are aware know you will only be able to do digital input/output programming.

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Just in case you forget your Laptop at work, you can download the Free Version of RsLogix that will be able to program your Micrologix 1000.

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According to the website: http://raise.rockwellautomation.com/RAConfig/resultsComponents.asp?CID=936E53731B4F43E986E2807E5CC20E5F Product: 1761-L32BWA Description: MicroLogix 1000, 120/240V ac power, (20) 24V dc digital inputs, (12) relay outputs It looks like there are digital inputs and relay outputs built in. You will need to buy a 120 or 240 VAC power supply to power the PLC and a 24 VDC power supply for the IO. You will also need the appropriate programming cable for upload/download (between your PLC and your laptop).

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Couldn't I just run 120VAC from my wall outlet to the PLC?

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Also, is there an Ethernet adapter module that I could use to connect this thing to my home Ethernet?

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Yes, you can power the plc from a wall outlet directly. It should also have a built in 24VDC power supply if you only have a minimal amount of IO. Enough to get started anyway. What are you looking to do with the Ethernet interface?

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Idk, just not have to connect a cable straight from the processor to my laptop every time I want to go online/upload/download. I'm not too sure yet.

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I really wish this thing had analog, I could do a lot more projects with it. How hard would it be to connect analog modules to this/ am I able to expand this I/O at all? Via something like Flex I/O?

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There really isn't a good way to expand the 1000, though you can get versions with built-in analog. You should look into the 1100. Has built-in Ethernet, two analog inputs, and you can add expansion cards.

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Will do, thanks.

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I second the suggestion by Jeremy. 1763-L16AWA You can power it by your wall outlet. I usually cut down a Power cord from a Computer Monitor. I suggest going through a surge protector, that way you can use the switch to cycle power. Good Luck!

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hboyer, what are you looking to do with your home automation projects? Just asking because I've been looking into Arduino's or PLC's (mostly Automation Direct) to create a security system, control lights and temperature as a home project. Just wondering what you had in mind. I'm not sure what to do for an HMI yet, may have to yoink a couple of old Beijer HMIs out of the office.

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Hey jethridge, I'm not sure. Just something to fiddle with when I'm bored drinking whiskey and watching netflix I guess! But I was thinking of very similar things as you. Control the lights, possibly window shades, etc. I definitely want some analog inputs/ expandable i/o though.

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ML1100 is small, low cost, expandable, has Ethernet, analog inputs, supports online editing... next step is ML1400

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Yeah, I will probably look at getting an ML1100. This ML1000 is nice and really cheap, but so much more can be done with the 1100.

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