DF1COM Problems

[mariley2250]

Hi,

I have a micrologix 1500 connected via df1 serial to my pc which is using a USB to serial converter. I can connect to the PLC and have a great HMI running. However after a certain amount of time (not always the same) it hangs. I have tried two different USB to Serial converters and numerous configurations of baud rate etc. Am i missing something here??

[Archie]

Are you using version 3.98? If so, that one has a new SLC/Micro driver so there may still need to be a few bugs to work out. I can set it up tomorrow to see if I can replicate the problem.

[mariley2250]

currently using 3.98

basically have 2 lines of code
1) a timer
2) a bit that resets the timer

I then have a panel meter that reads the timer acc and a push button that resets the timer.

All that works perfectly except for the following.
-comms times out after about 10 secs.
-the momentary button im using does not work when i put the address down to bit level (b3:0/0) it only works at word level (b3:0)

i am very impressed with this software. I would be more than happy to contribute to the development of it for instance a web interface that allows you to use it over the net.

[DougLyons]

I had two different Serial-to-USB adapters that caused me problems.
One was a Dynex brand that came from Best Buy and the other was a Cables-To-Go brand.
These both had problems and they also both had Prolific chip sets in them.
There is a checkchipversion tool from here http://prolificusa.com/pl-2303hx-drivers that will confirm these chip sets.

I eventually found three solutions to my problems that really worked.
 1) Purchased a Dell E-Legacy adapter that has a real COM1 port that is mapped to the same Port and Interrupt that most software understands.
 2) Purchased a Tripp-Lite Keyspan model USA-19HS from Tiger Direct
 3) Purchased a FTDI CHIPI-X USB-to-Serial adapter from Digi-Key

All of these items worked just fine with a SLC-5/05 using the DF1 serial protocol.

[mariley2250]

Thanks Doug.

I investigated what brands i had and one of them happens to be the FTDI CHIPI-X USB-to-Serial adapter from Digi-Key. I will reinstall the drivers tonight and let you know if it solves my problem.

[mariley2250]

Doug,

Do you know what drivers you used from the FTDI website.

VCP Drivers
D2XX Drivers

[mariley2250]

tried the updated drivers but still the same problem..

[DougLyons]

For the FTDI CHIPI-X I just plugged in the device and my Windows 7 64-bit went to the Windows Update site and automatically downloaded two drivers. I am out of town and do not have this device with me but I will try and tell you what it is using when I get back.

I am sorry that you did not have the good luck that I did with your device. Also, I was using Advanced HMI Version 3.70 at the time of my tests I believe.

[mariley2250]

Hi Archie,

Any luck with this??

[Archie]

I ran a test for a couple hours today with a MicroLogix 1100, but it all continued working ok. I'll set up a test to leave it run all night.

[mariley2250]

do you remember what comms settings you used baudrate etc.

I tried it with a micrologix 1200 and i have the same issues.

[Archie]

I just found the problem in the SLC/Micro driver and fixed it. Tomorrow a version 3.98a will be posted with the fix as long as the TwinCAT driver passes it's tests.

[mariley2250]

excellent.. your a legend...

[Archie]

Version 3.98a is now available for download that has the fixes to the DF1 driver

[mariley2250]

Just tested and working perfectly..

Awesome work...