Micrologix 1200 and panelview 300

Hello! New to this group. I'm tasked with adding a Panelview 300 to a machine that currently has a Micrologix 1200 (1762-L40AWA). Which Panelview 300 would be the best to use as far as communication? Looked at using this panelview 300 (2711C-K3A2L1) and this interface (1761-NET-AIC) - using DH485 comms. Is the the best way? just need simple data handling to/from the operator screen (i.e. timer and counter settings). Thanks in advance for your help/suggestions. PS - boss wants to use AB and panelview, no subs...

Double-check the PanelView part number. 2711C are the "Component" terminals, while 2711-K3A2L1 is a DH-485 equipped PanelView 300 Standard.

Data Highway 485 protocol is notoriously difficult to connect to a PC, but you can do it in this case if you have a 1747-UIC USB/DH485 interface box.

If you don't have one, you can still use this hardware, but you won't have the ability to monitor the MicroLogix online while the PanelView is connected. You'll use a CompactFlash card to load files onto the PanelView, and use the DCOMM button to switch the MicroLogix into the easier-to-connect DF1 protocol.

If you have not purchased the PanelView terminal yet, I would recommend instead getting one with DF1 Full Duplex protocol onboard (2711-K3A17L1). That will allow you to connect it with just one cable (no Net-AIC device) to the MicroLogix.

PanelView 300 terminals are pretty old, but are nearly indestructible and fairly easy to program. A-B will probably stop selling them soon, in favor of the inferior but cheaper PanelView Component terminals.

Thanks Ken - the part number was 2711-K3A2L1 for the panelview 300. If I go with the DF1 (2711-K3A17L1) will I be able to go online with everything connected? or will I need to unplug the panelview to go online with the plc? We like the older panelview 300's - operators can't destroy them as fast as the touch screens...

I recommend one of the following approaches:

Method 1:
2711-K3A2L1 PanelView 300 Standard with DH485
1761-NET-AIC RS232/RS485 Isolator and Converter
1761-CBL-AS03 or -AS09 DH485 Trunk to Device Cable
1747-UIC USB to DH485 Interface
1761-CBL-PM02 MicroLogix Programming Cable to connect MicroLogix to 1761-NET-AIC
1761-CBL-PM02 MicroLogix Programming Cable to connect PC to 1761-NET-AIC

This method has higher costs but allows you to download to the PanelView over the network and go monitor the MicroLogix over the network without disconnecting any cables.


Method 2:
2711-K3A17L1 PanelView 300 Standard with DF1 Full Duplex
1761-CBL-PM02 RS-232 DB9F to DIN8M
Null-Modem Adapter
CompactFlash card, under 2 GB, formatted for FAT16.
CF to USB or PCMCIA Adapter

The second method uses a single cable to connect the PanelView to the MicroLogix and is lower cost. However, you must use a CF card to load applications into the PanelView and cannot simultaneously have the PanelView and your PC connected to the MicroLogix.

There is a uLogix 1200 with an additional programming port. The model # ends in R.

Thanks guys! Probably go with method #2 - machine has been running for years, probably won't have to go on-line much. Lot cleaner setup and less components for someone else to mess with. Thanks for your help and advice!