TheEquineFencer
Member
Hopefully I'll have a legitimate copy of RS500 to program micrologix and SL500 series PLCs. A guy in another group is going to mail me his old version of it. It seems they upgraded to new version and told him he could have the old laptops to do as he pleased. I've called my local AB distributor and have yet to get a reply back. I left them a voicemail about want to buy the latest and greatest version. I did talk with AB tech support and found out Windows 10 will not be supported until June of this year.
What I plan to attempt to do is buy a used PLC or complete rack/racks to practice programming. I have a few projects in mind. On one of them I'm sure I'll need an analog input or two. I want to monitor a bank of batteries that are charged by solar panels. I want to use it to disconnect the battery bank when the charge level reaches a set LOW VOLTAGE cutoff point and reconnect when it rises above that point. I'll also need some digital relay type contacts to control the outputs. The Max input voltages usually never rise above 32VDC, but I'm sure I need a little more "cushion" for safety. The outputs I can use them to control everything else by letting them energise some relays that will actually be carrying the loads.
The other little project I want to try is to build a track torch that will start/stop at the end of a cut and then go back to the original start position. I guess I just need a PLC that will be relay outputs. I guess the inputs can be 120/240VAC. I've not decided if I want to use micro switches or Prox sensors for the inputs yet.
I have a Hossfeld bender I'm converting to Hydraulics, I may just run it without a PLC for what I want to do for safety reasons and just use micro switches for when it reaches the end of the travel to stop.
I'm open to suggestions. I have taken a couple of classes at the local CC on PLCs, we used SLC503 series in that class. I just want to get my feet wet again and get the basics down. I'm above average when it comes to wiring and figuring out how to get things to work. I'd like to be able to get a better job doing a little PLC work as most jobs around here are looking for that.
Thanks in advance for any help.
What I plan to attempt to do is buy a used PLC or complete rack/racks to practice programming. I have a few projects in mind. On one of them I'm sure I'll need an analog input or two. I want to monitor a bank of batteries that are charged by solar panels. I want to use it to disconnect the battery bank when the charge level reaches a set LOW VOLTAGE cutoff point and reconnect when it rises above that point. I'll also need some digital relay type contacts to control the outputs. The Max input voltages usually never rise above 32VDC, but I'm sure I need a little more "cushion" for safety. The outputs I can use them to control everything else by letting them energise some relays that will actually be carrying the loads.
The other little project I want to try is to build a track torch that will start/stop at the end of a cut and then go back to the original start position. I guess I just need a PLC that will be relay outputs. I guess the inputs can be 120/240VAC. I've not decided if I want to use micro switches or Prox sensors for the inputs yet.
I have a Hossfeld bender I'm converting to Hydraulics, I may just run it without a PLC for what I want to do for safety reasons and just use micro switches for when it reaches the end of the travel to stop.
I'm open to suggestions. I have taken a couple of classes at the local CC on PLCs, we used SLC503 series in that class. I just want to get my feet wet again and get the basics down. I'm above average when it comes to wiring and figuring out how to get things to work. I'd like to be able to get a better job doing a little PLC work as most jobs around here are looking for that.
Thanks in advance for any help.