Do More and Ez automation HMI

[ChrisB]

Will the Do More processor work with my older ez automation HMI? It is currently connected to my dl260 processor via serial communication via port 2. Another question off subject.... I recently took a new job that strictly uses AB only. AB is quite a bit different than direct soft 5.3 Wondering if the new Do More software is a bit more like AB, first look tells me yes. Thanks

                                Chris

[Controls Guy]

Most HMI brands do not yet have a Do-More driver, but Do-More can also communicate using the DL protocol used by the 205's, etc., and also Modbus.  Better yet, with unsecured protocols like that the HMI can only talk to a defined area of memory in a Do-More, so if you write your Do-More app to take advantage of it, there's no way the HMI can wreak havoc by writing to random areas in the controller.  So, it actually does a better job of using those protocols than the original controllers.

(So...."Yes")

As an AB user myself, a lot of the things that make AB good to program have been built into Do-More (some even better than the AB version), as well as some new features of Do-More's own!

[Greg]

ChrisB, if you replaced the DL260 with the Do-more CPU then your HMI will still work.

If your HMI used Modbus RTU then instead of the complex mapping used by the DL260, the communications will be directly to Do-more's Modbus memory:
MI0-1023 = Modbus Inputs
MC0-1023 = Modbus Coils
MIR0-2047 = Modbus Input Registers
MHR0-2047 = Modbus Holding Registers

If your HMI used DL-protocol then instead of going into V-memory used by DL260, the communications will be directly to Do-more's DL-memory:
DLC0-777 = DL C-bit memory
DLV0-3777 = DL V-memory
DLX0-777 = DL X-bit (discrete input) memory
DLY0-777 = DL Y-bit (discrete output) memory

[ChrisB]

Sorry guys replying from phone... What about physical connection at the do more processor? The hmi is currently connected to port 2 which is a serial db9 port I believe. I don't think the hmi I have has provisions for a standard Ethernet cable. Is there an adapter of some sort? Ready to jump into this cpu but need to be sure I can still use hmi.

[BobO]

All DM1 CPUs have an RS232 port that can be configured for KSeq or Modbus slave. I would expect the HMI to support one or both of those. If you choose KSeq, all of your comms will go to DLC/DLV/DLX/DLY memories in the DM1 (instead of C/V/X/Y). If you choose Modbus, all comms will go to MI/MC/MHR/MIR memories in the DM1.

Take look at the PUBLISH and SUBSCRIB instructions to move data in and out of the guest memories, and perform any conversions/byte order change/etc that might be required.

[b_carlton]

Check closely. The cable may be going into an adapter which adapts the 15 pin port on the DL260 to the 6 pin modular plug. Just remove the modular end of the cable from the adapter and plug into the modular port on the Do-more.

If there is no adapter then you may need to buy an EZ-2CBL.

[Controls Guy]

If your HMI used Modbus RTU then instead of the complex mapping used by the DL260

I doubt that anyone who thought an octal to decimal conversion arduous would be using Koyo in the first place!    

[BobO]

All DM1 CPUs have an RS232 port that can be configured for KSeq or Modbus slave. I would expect the HMI to support one or both of those. If you choose KSeq, all of your comms will go to DLC/DLV/DLX/DLY memories in the DM1 (instead of C/V/X/Y). If you choose Modbus, all comms will go to MI/MC/MHR/MIR memories in the DM1.

Take look at the PUBLISH and SUBSCRIB instructions to move data in and out of the guest memories, and perform any conversions/byte order change/etc that might be required.

Hmmm...just realized that a) didn't answer the question, and b) repeated information from a previous posting. My transition to manager is nearly complete...

[ChrisB]

Sorry guys... Hey Bernie. Phone again. So once again cause I guess I'm kinda slow... For what it's worth I built the cable that goes between my hmi and dl 260. It resides on port 2 of the 260 processor. It uses k sequence. Port 1 has my serial programming cable plugged into it at all times. This hmi and Plc are being used as the controls for my home automation. Reason for programming cable always plugged in is because it goes through a hole in my family room floor so I don't have to travel into the basement to make changes. After reading Bernies post I am starting to think I can just chNge the end on the processor side with another one that would work with my hmi. As of right now this is the only thing holding me up from purchasing this processor. Thanks again!   Chris

[Controls Guy]

After reading Bernies post I am starting to think I can just chNge the end on the processor side with another one that would work with my hmi.

Hard to say, because the 15-pin "VGA" port is actually one logical port in both 232 and 485 versions in the same connector.  I believe the EZ's have both 232 and 485 available, so no telling which one you have. Problem is, the Do-More doesn't have any native 485 on board, so if that's what you have, you'd have to either:

1) Change the EZ end to 232 and make/get a new cable
2) Get a 232-485 converter for use with the Do-More internal RJ12 232 port
3) Get a 485 comm module to put in the DM rack.

Obviously, option 1 looks the easiest/cheapest.  FWIW, any time I paired an EZ with a DL-classic, I used EZ's cable, and I believe it was 232, so you might not have to worry about any of that.