Some advice to an old new PLC student

[toolman001]

Hi guys I think this foram will be great for me. My question is as follows: I need to learn PLCs. A trusted friend told me to learn AB first and everything will come easy after that; is that true? If so I went and ordered a lot of training materials on PLCs and AB. I was also told I needed a cheep AB to learn on. That's where you guys can help. I have the opportunity to purchase an AB SLC 500 1747-L532 SLC 5/03 at a good price around 100-175 dollars.
Should I do this or am I getting the cart before the horse?
Thanks in advance

 

[geniusintraining]

That's where you guys can help. I have the opportunity to purchase an AB SLC 500 1747-L532 SLC 5/03 at a good price around 100-175 dollars.

If you have the software then go for it... its a good PLC to start

If you do not have the software (RSLogix 500) then get a MicroLogix 1000 or 1100, the software is the same but you can use the free version with these PLC's

AND enjoy

 

[diat150]

what kind of IO cards come with the slc?

id try and go with the micrologix 1100. it costs more, but you get ethernet, di, do, and ai.

 

[Paul B]

I've recently fielded similar questions.

Can anyone post a link to help with downloading the free software for the platform mentioned above?

I know it is posted here on this site but if you wouldn't mind sharing it in this post it would tie up the loose end, and yes - save me the trouble of looking for it. Thanks.

 

[sthompson]

I believe what you want is here.

http://www.ab.com/linked/programmablecontrol/plc/micrologix/downloads.html

Stu....

 

[toolman001]

Thanks this is just what I needed...here I go!

 

[504bloke]

Hi guys I think this foram will be great for me. My question is as follows: I need to learn PLCs. A trusted friend told me to learn AB first and everything will come easy after that; is that true? If so I went and ordered a lot of training materials on PLCs and AB. I was also told I needed a cheep AB to learn on. That's where you guys can help. I have the opportunity to purchase an AB SLC 500 1747-L532 SLC 5/03 at a good price around 100-175 dollars.
Should I do this or am I getting the cart before the horse?
Thanks in advance

Has your friend used Siemens

 

[toolman001]

No siemens knowledge YET

I encountered a siemens PLC in 1984 and was lost. However I got the machine fixed after replacing an I/O card. Just had no idea what made it work. I have a huge amount of respect for their product and know it is an industry leader, and I want to learn it. At age 62 I am launching into the industrial control full throttle. I just compleated my certifications on Yaskawa and WEG drives. Have done electrical all my life just on a lesser level.
Thank God my mind is blessed in that direction, I plan to stay young this way, and make up for my wasted pass. In my area there a lot of AB PLCs and was told to learn them and the others will be easy. I have been told many things that were less than accurate. However I am moving forward. THANKS