Noob advice on equipment

[jstolaruk 9]

Not that you've got the hardware, the software is going to break the bank. There is an inexpensive starter kit, featuring RSLogix, that will give you a complete system to learn on. http://www.ab.com/plclogic/micrologix/1000/ Use the following catalog number to download the RSLogix 500 Starter for 10 Point MicroLogix 1000 Programming Software: 9324RL0050ENE Edited 29 Jan 2006 by jstolaruk

[gravitar 3]

The microcontroller that runs the show in the SLC has its own mask-programmed firmware. The standard DIP socket is there for firmware upgrades. It is POSSIBLE that your SLC might not have the latest and greatest firmware, but I don't remember there being anything significant added or corrected between the different firmware revs.. so don't worry about it. The OTHER socket, which is kind of like an inverted DIP socket, is for the BACKUP memory module. You included a picture in one of your other messages of the chip/carrier that goes in this socket. when you download to the SLC, it is stored in battery-backed RAM. This EEPROM chip stores a backup copy of your ladder program, which you can set up to load into RAM every time you power up the SLC, or only load when the SLC is faulted. It is an option, not a necessity. If you still think you might want one, I'll sell you one for cheaper than $17. The flashing fault light isn't anything to worry about, it more than likely just means that there isn't a program stored in RAM. When you download to it, the light will go away. In general with A-B products, a flashing fault is minor and easily recovered from.. A steady fault light is TROUBLE.