adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Created Date: September 26,2006
Created By: EDK
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We are trying to connect from a HMI PC running an LookoutDirect HMI application to DL05 PLC about 50 feet away. The DL05 then connects to the 9Xtend via RS232. We cannot get the PC to talk to the PLC. We think it is distance/noise issue. We have decided to try RS485 instead. We looking at a RS485 dongle (HVW Technologies RS-232 to RS-485 Serial Communications Adapter SKU# 30020) on the HMI PC to a D0-DCM port 1 in the DL05 PLC. We currently have a 4 conductor 24AWG data cable. It has an overall foil sheild, a ground wire and a grey jacket. The other option is move the PLC by the HMI PC and go RS232 from the HMI to PLC port 1 then RS485 from PLC -port 2 to the Maxstream radio RS232/RS485 port. What do you suggest is best?
Created Date: September 26,2006
Created by: Tech Guy
Either way is fine. I'd do what is convenient. Automationdirect suggests Belden 9729 or 8102 for RS-422 and Belden 9841 for RS-485 for wiring.
Wire type is very important for good communications. If the impedence doesn't match, it won't work very well if at all.
Created Date: September 28,2006
Created by: EDK
Can the FA-ISOCON be used with DL05 port 1 if the external power adapter is used?
Are there any issues with RTS or CTS using RS485 2 wire with LookoutDirect on the PC communicating to the DL05 using a RS232 to 485 converter to either the FA-ISOCON or the D0-DCM at the DL05
Created Date: September 28,2006
Created by: FACTSTech
>Can the FA-ISOCON be used with DL05 port 1 if the external power adapter is used?
If you use the FA-ISOCON on port 1 then external 24VDC cannot be used because 5VDC is already supplied by port 1 of the 05.
>Are there any issues with RTS or CTS using RS485 2 wire with LookoutDirect on the PC communicating to the DL05 using a RS232 to 485 converter to either the FA-ISOCON or the D0-DCM at the DL05
Set the ISOCON to ANTE and RTS/CTS is not required.
Created Date: November 09,2006
Created by: EDK
We installed the RS485 dongle (HVW Technologies RS-232 to RS-485 Serial Communications Adapter SKU# 30020) on the HMI PC and D0-DCM in the DL05 PLC. We connected the two using Belden 9841. I set the PLC code in the PLC so port 2 was RS485,2 wire, 9600 baud,...etc to match the serial settings that work on port 1 of the DL05 (I used the example code that came with the D0-DCM). Try as I may I cannot get it to work. Am I missing something? What should I be doing or looking for to determine where the problem is (PC, dongle, PLC)?
Created Date: November 09,2006
Created by: EDK
Further to the last post I tried to resurrect the RS232 link between the HMI and PLC and got it working (wiring problem at the RJ12 connector). Is there any issues with performance when the PLC is being polled by LookoutDirect and DirectSoft 4 on port1 at 9600 baud and on port 2 by the master PLC at 9600 via a Maxstream RS232 radio modem? It seems that we are getting intermittent comm losses (comm updates in excess of 30 seconds) between the master PLC and the slave PLC. Note that the master is polling 3 slaves currently with a total of 5 in the near future.
BTW to clarify the last post, Port 2 is on the D0-DCM.
Created Date: September 26,2006
Created by: EDK
We are trying to connect from a HMI PC running an LookoutDirect HMI application to DL05 PLC about 50 feet away. The DL05 then connects to the 9Xtend via RS232. We cannot get the PC to talk to the PLC. We think it is distance/noise issue. We have decided to try RS485 instead. We looking at a RS485 dongle (HVW Technologies RS-232 to RS-485 Serial Communications Adapter SKU# 30020) on the HMI PC to a D0-DCM port 1 in the DL05 PLC.
We currently have a 4 conductor 24AWG data cable. It has an overall foil sheild, a ground wire and a grey jacket. The other option is move the PLC by the HMI PC and go RS232 from the HMI to PLC port 1 then RS485 from PLC -port 2 to the Maxstream radio RS232/RS485 port. What do you suggest is best?