Is it possible to load the server time into an RTC?

[gippolot 0]

Hello, My company intends to activate the start/stop work sirens via a micrologix1500 when the existing time clock is replaced. My knowledge of the server is very basic, but what I would like to do, if it is possible, is to update the micrologix RTC each morning with the time, H:\>time, from the company's internal server, (Windows). The micrologix is connected to the company server via an ethernet-ENI module. I use Logix500 and the free version of Rslogix to connect to the micrologix with. Would this be possible with an MSG instruction, batch file, etc? Or do I need to learn much more about the particular protocols concerned? If anyone could let me know if this is possible to achieve, or tell me where I should go to learn what I need to know, it would be very much appreciated. Regards, Andrew Gill

[TimWilborne 108]

Probably the simplest way will be to use THIS tool from Rockwell Automation. It is the Logix5000 Clock Update Tool but it actually works with PLC5s, SLCs and Micrologixs also

[Guest trn_psycho]

Thanks for the download... However, when I try and add devices, the OK button never becomes active. Seems not to want to except micros or slcs...

[TimWilborne 108]

You are correct. I had only played with it on Controllogix. Beyond the Logix5000 processors according to the help section the following are supported PLC-5 1785-L46C15, 1785-L20C15, 1785-L40C15, 1785-L60C15, 1785-L80C15, 1785-LT/515, 1785-LT3/512, 1785-LT2/525, 1785-L40B, 1785-LT4/510, 1785-L60B, 1785-L40L, 1785-L60L, 1785-L11B, 1785-L20B, 1785-L30B, 1785-V30B, 1785-V30L, 1785-V40B, 1785-V40L, 1785-V60B, 1785-V60L, 1785-L16B, 1785-L26B, 1785-L36B, 1785-L46B, 1785-L46L, 1785-L66B, 1785-L66L, 1785-L20E, 1785-L40E, 1785-L26E, 1785-L46E, 1785-L20C, 1785-L40C, 1785-L80B, 1785-L86B, 1785-L80E, 1785-L20C15, 1785-L40C15, 1785-L60C15, 1785-L80C15 SLC 1747-L531, 1747-L532, 1747-L541, 1747-L542, 1747-L543, 1747-L551, 1747-L552, 1747-L553 MicroLogix 1500, 1500 LRP PowerMonitor Powermonitor II, Powermonitor 3000 Gippolot - It should work for you since you have a Micrologix 1500 although I do not have one to test this on. Edited 25 Apr 2006 by TWControls

[Guest trn_psycho]

Hmmm. I must be missing something. I'm trying to use it with RSLinx Gateway, into three different Micrologix 1500s with LRP processors and am still having the same problems... Oh well... It was a neat idea. I've been updating my SLC 505s with a VB program, but haven't been able to get the micrologix processors to work this way. (Without writing some PLC changes anyway)

[TimWilborne 108]

Do you mean you are trying to route this through a computer? I don't know if that is supported. I have 1000s, 1100s, and 1200s but no 1500s so don't know what to tell you otherwise

[Guest trn_psycho]

What I mean is: I have a central computer running Linx Gateway. On this computer, I've installed that program. When I try and select the different PLCs on my network (all connected to this machine via e-net - 505's to the e-net jack on the plc, ML1500 through an eni module), the ok button never becomes active. It's grayed out like it's waiting for me to select a compatible PLC...)

[gippolot 0]

Thanks for the suggestion TW' I don't get back to work until Monday, but I'll give it a go then. Regards, Andrew Gill

[Bob O 8]

Do you have to have RSlogix5000 installed for this to work with the ML1500 RTC? I tried to sync. the RTC on some ML1500 that are connected to the network with ENI's but didn't have any luck. Any ideas if this will work? Thanks

[TimWilborne 108]

No, I'm pretty sure you don't need RsLogix 5000 to install the Logix5000 Clock Update Tool

[Bob O 8]

I have it installed but trn psycho and I have the same problem I think. I have a call into tech support about this but I think it may have been lost. Oh well. Thanks

[gippolot 0]

I connected to a ML1500 using a laptop that had logix5000 installed on it, and the Clock Update Tool worked fine. No hope using a laptop with logix500 only though.

[Bob O 8]

I went so far as to download the trial version of 5000 to see if it would add a file to the system allowing me to connect to the ML1500 through the ENI module using RSLinx Gateway.

[gippolot 0]

I couldn't connect at all when plugging straight into the company server, which is what I had originally hoped to do. Same problem as trn psycho. I left it at that as it wasn't such an important issue. Regards

[OkiePC 14]

I use DDE and Excel from a PC with RSLinx Gateway to set all of my networked PLC clocks when daylight savings changes occur. I can't give an example from home, but I do remember having to put the PC clock time in a excel cells (hour, minute, and second) and use DDEPoke functions to send them to the correct status registers. It is not perfect synchronization, but they all match within a second or two. I have a bunch of PLC5, and SLC 5/04 processors. I have found that the clocks vary among them and they will be "off" by several seconds after a day or two. I don't know how perfect you need them synchronized, but you can build an excell sheet that displays all the times on one page by pasting links from RSLinx (gateway or pro) so you can watch the clocks to get an idea how often you will need to sync them. Hope this helps. Edited 5 Jun 2006 by OkiePC