Christian_IA Posted July 11, 2012 Report Posted July 11, 2012 Hi all. I have aquired a Mitsubishi Melsec FX2N-32MR and some extension modules and would like to get some PLC programming experience Even thou I'm an pretty experienced embedded software developer I haven't very much experience with PLC's so I have a couple of questions. Are there any free or cheap software development tools that I can use instead of buying the rather expensive Mitsubishi GX Developer ? I also have a FX2N-485-BD extension board, can I connect the pc used for developing the software via this or do I need the serial cable with the round 8-pin PS/2 like plug ? I haven't got an EEPROM board, do I need that for storing software in the controller ? Regards Christian Quote
Christian_IA Posted July 11, 2012 Author Report Posted July 11, 2012 I have found this in here: http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?autocom=downloads&showcat=19 GX-Developer FX 8.25 1000step I presume that I can use this for a lot of testing and learning, am I correct ? /Christian Quote
Crossbow Posted July 12, 2012 Report Posted July 12, 2012 Yes, the 1000 step version will work for you. You will need a programming cable, part number SC09. You can't connect to your PC via RS485, since your PC doesn't have an RS485 port. Quote
Christian_IA Posted July 12, 2012 Author Report Posted July 12, 2012 It looks like 1000 steps are more than enough for me The demo version hasn't got the limitation that it can't up- or download code to/from the PLC ? Is it possible to use a RS232/RS485 converter like http://www.advantech.com/products/ADAM-4520/mod_8DCEE4B7-FBDE-4C5D-9752-ED2F2FBD00BF.aspx and make my own cable ? /Christian Quote
Crossbow Posted July 13, 2012 Report Posted July 13, 2012 I would not waste your time trying to make your own cable. And it's RS422 not RS485 on board. Quote
Christian_IA Posted July 13, 2012 Author Report Posted July 13, 2012 I will look on ebay The board is called FX2N-485-BD and according to the manual its RS485 but it can also use RS422 and I think its pretty much the samme, the differences are the munber of nodes on the network and that RS422 are full duplex where RS485 is half duplex. Quote
Crossbow Posted July 13, 2012 Report Posted July 13, 2012 The wiring of RS422 is different, as it uses 4 wires, and RS485 uses 2. I have never been able to get online to program an FX via the RS485 board. RS232 and RS422 have never been a problem. Quote
Christian_IA Posted July 14, 2012 Author Report Posted July 14, 2012 Ok, so you recommend I wire the board that I already got as RS422 ? Have you tried using FX2N-485-BD wired as RS422 to communicate with the PLC succesfully ? Quote
Inntele Posted July 14, 2012 Report Posted July 14, 2012 The PLC programming functionality does not available with FX2N-485-BD. As Crossbow has said already, the programming protocol demands full-duplex communication, therefore it will work only with interface boards that support full-duplex, these are FX2N-422-BD or FX2N-232-BD. Quote
Christian_IA Posted July 14, 2012 Author Report Posted July 14, 2012 OK, will programming functionality be available if I buy a SC-09 clone cable with usb and the 8 pin ps/2 like plug ? Quote
Inntele Posted July 14, 2012 Report Posted July 14, 2012 Yes, such cable should work, if it has the same pinout on 8-pin MiniDIN as SC-09 and the USB driver for this cable convertor will be installed on PC. The Mitsubishi offers a similar cable, you want to use, and I can recommend to buy the original, if you don't like to play in lottery and to have a headache. Quote
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