really cheap HIM and control

[Erik vdH]

Hi,

I have a customer with a project which calls for a really cheap graphics HMI (pos touch screen) and basic controller. It is for a high end domestic temp controller. Volume will be quite low, anyone come across anything?

Cheers

 

[ArikBY]

If 4 inputs if enough

DL05+4 Analog in+C-More micro about 320 $US.

That the cheapest I know

 

[J.A.du Toit]

Have a look at Red Lion www.redlion.net

 

[Doug_Adam]

We are currently evaluating a product called Easyview from:
http://www.dominion.net.au/

I think they are also the agents for NZ.
One of our people used them extensivly in Europe and has a good impression of them.

 

[anilrohom]

Try out with Automation Direct PLC and HMI

 

[BryanG]

Have a look a Moeller EasyMFD http://www.moeller.net/en/industry/switchgear/switch_control/mfd/mfd-showcase.jsp
It's is a combined HMI and PLC, doesn't come with touchscreen but does have buttons. They will even lazer engrave your company logo and button info onto it instead of the Moeller logo. Its a dream to fit as you just have to cut two 22.5mm (7/8inch) holes.

Regards

Bryan

 

[Money4Nothing]

Remember, cheap hardware doesn't always equate to overall cost savings. You can lose money on development time, troubleshooting, compatibility issues, etc. Its usually more cost-effective to provide hardware/software that is familiar to the developer, ever if it costs a bit more on the front end.

$

 

[Gerry M]

The cheapest I know of:

http://www.tri-plc.com/index.htm


Your statement here:

I have a customer with a project which calls for a really cheap graphics HMI (pos touch screen) and basic controller.

and here:

It is for a high end domestic temp controller.

seem contradictory.


I usually use Automationdirect.com products, or you could try Unitronics.

 

[TimothyMoulder]

Unitronics. Sounds like a job for a Vision 280 or 290 with snap IO.

www.unitronics.com

 

[504bloke]

I have used the Easy range and they are nice and may be just what you want like BryanG stated.

 

[Erik vdH]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will look them up. Regarding the contradiction between cheap and high end, I guess anything more than a thermostat is high end for the domestic situation!

 

[JesperMP]

I am out of my normal league here.

But what about an "intelligent relay" ?
I think that some have analog inputs, and I also think that some have a small display and a few buttons.
And they fit in one of these enclosures where you normally place circuit breakers in domestic installations.

 

[RoTaTech]

I've a buddy who is having great success with a Z-world controller. He raves about it, and he buys a touch screen unit for about $400CDN.

http://www.rabbitsemiconductor.com/

 

[Lancie1]

Erik,

If it is a domestic HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning) then one of your big problems will be how to interface a PLC to the 24 volts AC power common in HVAC controls (here in the US anyway).

There are a few PLCs that will accept 24 VAC inputs (such as the AUTOMATION DIRECT F1-130DR). It seems that getting the proper interface would be more important than the cost. If a cheap PLC will not accept 24 VAC inputs and outputs (or whatever is used in New Zealand), then you are looking at adding a bunch of interface relays and a power supply. Suddenly your cost has gone above what it would be to have bought the right PLC in the beginning.