adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Hardware Features needed
Created Date: April 22,2004
Created By: Gerry
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There are alot of good ideas on the Directsoft thread, now how about the hardware? I'll go first: How about adding more bus master hardware, you offer a lot of slave possibilities but only a few masters. Such as profibus , As-i, devicenet, etc. That way it would be easier to integrate the PLC with other I/O systems when necessry. Also, I sometimes need to switch high ampacity solenoids with a DL05 or DL205, etc. Can we get higher amperage 120VAC SSR type outputs.
Created Date: April 22,2004
Created by: Gerry
There are alot of good ideas on the Directsoft thread, now how about the hardware?
I'll go first:
How about adding more bus master hardware, you offer a lot of slave possibilities but only a few masters.
Such as profibus , As-i, devicenet, etc.
That way it would be easier to integrate the PLC with other I/O systems when necessry.
Also, I sometimes need to switch high ampacity solenoids with a DL05 or DL205, etc. Can we get higher amperage 120VAC SSR type outputs.
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: laveryt
Bus masters would be great.
You could then make use of all the new
Smart sensors like those that use devicenet.
Another great thing would be a zip link like
device for the F2-CP128 that brings out all the connections to a terminal and or a standard 9 pin Dsub serial connector. I hate those little RJ12 (Phone plugs)
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: RHanrahan
I know what you mean. I ended up taking the cable that comes with it, cutting it, and landing the wires on two triple stack terminals.
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: marksji
I want a cable that plugs directly into an 8 point input or output card and gives me all 10 bare wires on the other end (there are 10 screw terminals on the 205 8pt cards). Then I could take the bare wires into my existing terminal blocks. Basically something where I could unplug the terminal connector that comes with the card and plug this cable in. It'd sure save time wiring up panels.
It'd also be nice to have something like that for the 16 point cards (and 8pt analog out).
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: RHanrahan
Something like the ZIP Link cable but only going the other way...
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: marksji
Originally posted by RHanrahan:
Something like the ZIP Link cable but only going the other way...
Yeppers... I don't want new terminal blocks, in fact, I love the ones we use now, but wiring to each screw terminal in a 9 slot rack on a run of 50 control panels gets really old. Not to mention on the high-density 16pt cards what I'm talking about would look a whole lot cleaner.
Created Date: April 23,2004
Created by: ericn
I agree. I buy ZIPLink cables and chop off the connector end to make my own 'flying leads ' cables. I know, it's not the most cost-effective method, but it sure saves time wiring the modules.
Cables without the connector should be considerably cheaper. We can get these for the 32-point modules, so why not for the others?
-Eric
Created Date: April 24,2004
Created by: elevmike
Ive bought Zip Link cables and chopped off the connector my self. However they do make some pigtail Zip Link calbes but not for all modules.
BTW, I got my wish for the AC input modules for the DL06! http://forum1.automationdirect.com/board/biggrin.gif Ask and you shall receve! The cost of materials for many of my future panels just got cut in half! Now what do I do with all of this DL205 stuff I have in stock?
Created Date: April 24,2004
Created by: Tom Jenkins
How about making all serial connectors DB-9 with standard pinouts. Now we have RJ-12, HD-15, DB-25, DB-9 ...... sheesh!
How about a LCD display with a channel select dipswitch displaying the input signal on analog input modules as raw data or % range? Maybe even just use the LEDs to light up at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% signal, with blink to indicate lost signals on 4-20 mA.
A simple fast way to shorten the range on the RTD / 4-20 mA signal conditioners - maybe a dip switch?
An analog input terminal block that includes a disconnect, a fuse, and a MOV tied to ground through a metal foot on the DIN rail.
Larger holes and screws on the DL-240 potentiometers so a human scaled screwdriver might fit!
A two level terminal block with a built in 250 Ohm dropping resistor for 4-20 mA to 5 VDC analog signals.
Communications bridges like the ProSoft ProLinx, with memory buffers and protocol conversion and master/slave capability and easy set-up like theirs, but maybe with fewer ports and less $$$ and DB-9 connectors and it could have a cheaper less sexy case.
Created Date: April 24,2004
Created by: elevmike
Originally posted by Tom Jenkins:
Larger holes and screws on the DL-240 potentiometers so a human scaled screwdriver might fit!
I'll second that! I have about 4 240 CPUs where the pots were broken off the board by a tech trying to force a pocket screwdriver into them through the hole in the CPU cover. Surly the hole can be a little larger...