Ab Plc

Is AB a good PLC for beginners. How much could I expect to spend for software etc.

In my opinion yes, and software prices vary per PLC and software options.

I'm planning on starting small with some simple lead/ lag pump stations. I would like to use something with the ability to use a analog input and output for future transducer applications. I have taken some basic progamming in school and in the past installed probally several thousand i/o of symax equipment some with analog and I have worked very closely with some programmers in the past but this will be my first solo attempt.

If you want to buy a PLC to learn with, a 10-point MicroLogix 1000 is reasonably priced, and the software is free!

Check it out HERE.

beerchug

-Eric

Sorry, no analog on the 10-point ML1000's...

beerchug

-Eric

But...

There is an analog version of the Micrologix 1000, but it's price is quite a bit more.

Check it out here .

If I went with the RSLogic 500 could I program an old SLC500 as well as new SLC500 & micrologic. How much is this software.

You will have to say goodby to $1100.Like most of us.
http://www.ab.com/catalogs/b113/micro1000/software.html
Look for 9324-RL0300ENE
Go to www.ab/shop you will get the price

Get ready AB is not cheap.

AB has good hardware, and if you learn on them you will have experience with the US leader in number of installations. The program structure is consistent with most ladder logic platforms, it has very good math capabilities, and is among the best in handling floating point and so on. The on-line editing is probably the easisest to use. It will be easy for you to get help on the AB platform. The MicroLogix 1000 is inexpensive, even if you need analog I/O. The programming package for the MicroLogix only is free to reasonable depending on the functions you need.

On the down side the AB programming packages are quirky and programming is in many ways non-intuitive. Creating multiple branches and editing existing logic is clumsy. Their addressing scheme is, to me, cumbersome. They restrict flexibility with downloading options, and connectivity over comm links is awkward to other AB products and very difficult with non AB products.

In summary the AB would be a good choice for starting PLCs.

My personal first choice, though, would be AutomationDirect.com

Thanks that is what I was looking for some help.
The SLC500 I have is 10yr old or better new in the box. Will this software program it. Since I have it I might use it for a demo or would I be better off to sell and get some newer tech. I like what I see in the micro1000 and 1200.

Thanks Tom im looking at the automation direct also and if it is a comparable system I don't have any problems using it. I actually live with in driving distance of their location. I would like to here more about them good, bad and ugly. Tech support and training are two issues that I consider important. I found one web site for a guy that does training on their system but his Beginner course is already come and gone for my area and I don't know if I am familer enough with the systems to get anything out of the advanced class. Any one else that trains on their system. Should I just go with one of the generic training platforms. Everyboby seems to want to base theirs on AB.

Any suggestions will be a great help.

AS somone who have lot of experience with AB and Omron.I just started with AD I got DL05 and direct logic and read the book.
I already wrote some programe.
If I have to compare Omron and AB is better then AD RS-Logix and Syswin is esayer then direct logix,
I would say programing with direct logic take 20% more the AB.
Omron offer on line edit for all thire PLCs.
All the Octal method is not so nice.Data display and comments is too complicated.
Forcing is too hard.
Price that different issue.
We decided to use AD for simple tasks. for larg systems AB and Omron will be our choice.

and here's another point to consider ...

one thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet:

if you hope to eventually land a job with what you learn, then consider asking a few prospective employers what brand they’re using ... don’t get me wrong ... ANY and ALL knowledge is a good thing ... but if your budget is limited, it would be a good idea to focus on learning something that would be more impressive when it comes time to find a job ... picture yourself on an interview ... you tell your prospective boss that you’re very familiar with brand “X” ... and he tells you that his company only uses brand “Y” ... now you still might get the job ... but suppose that some of your competition waiting out in the lobby is already very familiar with brand “Y” ... choose your battles carefully ...

you said:

Everyboby seems to want to base theirs [training] on AB.

Click to expand...

now ask yourself why that seems to be the case ... hint: it ain’t because AB is a lot cheaper ...

as for your old SLC-500 unit ... yes, the new RSLogix500 will be able to program it ... but you’ll need a communications adapter ... something like a 1747-PIC ... do a search on this forum for an unlimited amount of verbiage on that particular topic ...

as for the price of RSLogix500 ... for everything you’ve mentioned so far, you could use the “starter” version ... it’s about $500 for a legal copy ... the biggest limitation when compared to the “full” package (for about $1,100) is that the starter won’t allow you to do “online” programming changes ... BUT ... since the MicroLogix and SLC-500 processors can’t do online programming anyway, this would not be an issue ... note: you’d have to be working with at least an SLC-5/03 processor to be interested in online programming ... so I’d say save your money on the software ... because regardless of what brand you decide on, you’re going to need things like communications cables, etc. as you move forward with this project ...

hope this helps ... good luck ...

Thanks Ron,
I'm not looking for a job but you never know what the future will bring. One of my current customers that I will be selling this tech. to in the future does have some AB equip. that I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to work on in the future. I also what to provide the best quality I can and price would be the second concern. I am trying to bring my technology up to date, I want my customers to have the best there is to offer. As far as what I sell I currently only do hard wired controls, the bad thing is if I need a plc for a project I have had to sub this out to a competitor in the past putting my customer relation at risk. I have always (18 years) wanted to sell, program and install PLC's now I think I have a small market that will be excellent to learn on. In the past I worked on large plants that I installed alot of rack systems, but I only installed them and done the hard wiring with limited exsposure to programming.

Some people like A-B, some LOVE IT! I learned on AB PLC2's and SLC100's. 8 years later, I am working for a LARGE tire manufacturer who had a lot of AB, and a lot of AutoMAX, and over 300 GE Fanuc, and a few of each of 20-30 small brands. Lots of experience with off brands here, I was scheduled for a GE school. Reluctantly I went. WOW. So much easier to learn and operate. Started using GE on all kinds of projects. A new tire machine was coming in with $22,000 in A-B hardware, I quickly did a comparison, and found out that for a little over $2,000, GE would do all that, and more, plus have a lot of analog comparitors AB didn't have, plus a second serial port that would be another $5K on AB. Personally, when I hear AB, I shout RUN. Let me say this, AB is very good equipment, it is pricy, and you can get a factory three-piece suit to come visit you, or if you aren't so lucky, a zero from a local supplier. GE and most other brands who are more cost effective usually have a distributor with an applications specialist in dockers, who will take you to lunch at Applebee's or Steak and Shake, give you litterature, and try to bail you out of programming troubles.

I love GE, and like Moeller "EASY" smart relays, and Entrtron Industries (Free Software, excellent tech support). Money saving tip...get a toolbox starter kit, you usually get the software free and some other goodies too!

Having worked as a contract engineer and consultant for many years... YOU ARE AS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST PROJECT!

With fifteen years of A-B experience, and then working a couple of weeks on a GE project, a recruitor told me that they couldn't use me because I didn't have "CURRENT" Allen-Bradley experience. You can always use A-B skills, as far as older hardware, update as soon/as much as you can. Don't overlook PLC training here at PLCS.net.

Best Regards......casey