i-7018

[can]

Hi. Is there any way to export the data from I-7018 directly to excel spreadsheet using comm port and RS485? If this can be done, the computer will be able to control the heater using MD888. Is it possible? Thanks.

[support]

Directly? No because I-7018 is only a slave analog module. You need a PLC such as T100MD or F-series and you can then program the PLC to open a file on a PC running TLServer and save data on the PC as CSV file which can be opened by an Excel spreadsheet.

Or you can use ExcelLink software with the PLC to capture the data in real time into Excel spreadsheet directly.

[can]

Hi. Is it possible to use convert RS232 port into RS485 and communicate with I7018 while using the built in RS485 to communicate with other MD888? Thank you.

[support]

Yes, that's possible when you use a PLC that has only 1 RS485 port. For F2424 and F1616-BA they come with 2 RS485 port so you can have two RS485 networks running simultaneously. You will still have the RS232 port and Ethernet port for other connectivitiy.

[can]

Hi. So it means the RS232 can be configured to communicate with I7018 and RS485 communicate with MD888 at the same time? All I have to do is get a Auto485 to use it with the MD888? So all I have to do is change the port number in the custom function in order to communicate using RS232?

Thank you.

[support]

Yes, yes and yes

Of course since T100MD only has two communication ports and if you are using both for communicating with other devices you may have a problem programming/monitoring the PLC.  You therefore must have a way of temporarily prevent the PLC from sending data out of the COMM port that you use for programming/monitoring. This can be by means of a certain input switch so that when the switch is ON the PLC stops sending data out of the comm port and you can then transfer program to the PLC.

[can]

Hi. If I use a fmd88, can i communicate with 7018 via 232 using auto485, communicate with md888 via 485, and program transfer or excellink connection using lan cable at the same time?

[support]

Yes, that's exactly what you can do. With Ethernet port used for programming your RS232 and RS485 are totally freed to be used for communicating with other devices.

[can]

Hi. 888 having problem communicating to I7018 through comm 1 using AutoRs 485. Does comm 1 need special 9 pin to communicate with auto rs485 or will a normal cable do? Read from manual that 888 need another type of cable to communicate with modem. Any help? Thanks

[support]

COMM1 on T100MD888 is DB9 female. The RS232 on Auto485 adapter is also DB9 female. In order to let T100MD888 drive the auto485 you wil need a null modem cable which is DB9 male to male and the wiring should be:  2-3, 3-2, 4-6, 6-4, 5-5.

[can]

Hi. I've tried the null modem and loaded in the I7018 program from the sample folders. Changed all the 3 to 1, since I will be using comm 1 to communicate through RS485. 888 ID is 02. Monitoring 888 through the 485 port using another RS485. Changed the baud rate from original 3 to 6 as I have already changed the I7018 baud from original 9600 to 38600. Confirmed baud rate using ICP software. Changed 0E to 0F as I have changed I7018 to 0F in order to measure K type thermocouple.

---part of i7018 sample program---

SETBAUD 1,6  
SETLCD 0,1, CHR$(1)

Z$ = NETCMD$(1,"%01010F0600"+CHR$(13)+"~")  
  ' Note suffix "~" means do not calculate FCS

---end of part of i7018 program---

When Init is pressed, Invalid command is shown on LCD. What could be the problem? Do I have to short pin 7 and pin 8 like what I see on setup paper of the Auto485? Thanks.

[can]

Any idea what may be the problem? Thanks.

[support]

What is the content of Z$?

According to the original I-7018 program, if Z$ begins with "?01" it means the Initialization string is not accepted by the I-70xx.

1) Is your Auto485 set in the "Auto" turnaround mode?

2) Are you able to perform online monitoring with the PLC via the same Auto485 if it is connected to the RS485 port? This is to ensure that the Auto485 is working properly.

[can]

I used the Auto485 to check I7018 directly and it can communicate. Does it mean anything?

[support]

Are you able to use HyperTerminal or the ICPDAS configuration program to configure the I-7018 via the Auto485?

If you use HyperTerminal then you can send the string to the I-7018 and observe the response string. Then compare it against the Z$ received from I-7018 when sent from the PLC. That's the way to troubleshoot communication problem.

If the PLC is not correctly connected to Auto485 then of course what you think you have sent to the I-7018 may not be sent properly and therefore the I-7018 send back an invalid command.

You can also use HyperTerminal to monitor what is being sent out of the PLC's COMM1 port just to be sure your program is really sending out string that you want it to send.