Trainer Project

Hi everyone,


I am new to the forum and wanted to reach out to the community for some helpful advice on a PLC trainer project I am working on. I recently purchased a Micrologix 1400 (1766-L32BXBA) and am hoping to create a trainer that will allow me to expand my knowledge of PLCs and programming. Along with the PLC, I also purchased:

3 DPDT 24V Relays
2 2-Position Selector Switches
1 3-Position Selector Switch
3 Push buttons
3 indicators
Rhino 24V Power Supply

I wanted to see what other equipment would be useful in learning more how to program. Soon, I think it would be cool it get a small drive and motor so that i could practice some PID tuning and motor controls. Any input on how to make this trainer more valuable to me while learning would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


Axiom

On the trainers that I build, I like to add a low cost HMI to practice with numerical values, math, number comparison, etc.

I would get an HMI and maybe something you could tap into the analog I/O on the PLC. Possibly get something Modbus and explore those features. The list can go on.

Anyway, have fun!!!

Thanks for the replies, those are great ideas. I still have some room left in the budget, so I will get back to shopping. Can't wait til everything finally gets delivered so I can start building this thing. Thanks again guys.

you didn't mention it - so just to be sure - do you already have the RSLogix500 software needed to program your processor? ... note that the FREE download version will not be sufficient ...

Thanks for commenting on the post Ron. I do have a license for the standard version of RSLogix500. I decided to go with a used Red Lion HMI that I found online. I like that the Crimson software is free. What do you guys think of the Red Lions?

I was also kinda thinking about padees point about Modbus communication. I was thinking maybe I could put some static values in some registers in the Red Lion and maybe practice having the PLC grab them and push them back into the Red Lion in a different register. I dont have much experience at all with Modbus. So I was hoping that would be possible.

Red Lion's Rock!

Because you are taking the initiative yourself to learn this, I may have a few useful gadgets I could send you to help you along.

I do have a spare 1763-NC01, an ADAM 4055-BE DIO Module, some RS485 wire, and maybe a few more other items I could put in a flat rate box and shoot it your direction. I'll poke around one of my storage units this weekend and see what I can find. I got a ton of stuff!

My end goal in life is to leave the way I came in. Naked, cold, and with nothing! Ha!

Wow, that would be awesome man! Thanks alot

There are 12bit 0-10V inputs. You should provide the input range to at least one of them and setup the scaling functions for temperature, pressure, and other values.

Thanks DaDaDadeo, I agree with you there. I really think it would be cool to get some actual transmitters in there and do some simulating with some real gear. Thanks for the input man. You all have a good night.