Speedtronic Mark IV Interfacing

A

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Anonymous

I want to interface Speedtronic Mark IV with HMI Software, does Mark IV have communication port or serial port, so i can connect Mark IV and HMI using communication or serial port?
 
Most Mk IVs have the capability to provide information via an RS-232 serial port; it's called the "Data Dump" and the points in the list of information to be transmitted via the Data Dump cannot be modified. There is no control mechanism available via the Data Dump; it is simply an Associate to the Manager (to use the Walmart analogy instead of the Slave-Master analogy which is offensive to some...); when the Manager requests data the Mk IV sends it--all of it. It's pretty arcane, but it works.

Later Mk IVs, known as Mk IV+s, have the capability, with some added hardware, to communicate with a remote Mk IV Operator Interface commonly referred to as a <D>. This was done over either a serial interface or an ARCnet-style LAN--both of which were known as CSF (Control System Freeway). Special hardware was required for the interface and some Mk IV+s could be retrofitted with it if it wasn't originally provided--but not all of them. Commands could be issued from the <D> to the Mk IV+ to start/stop, load/unload, etc., remotely.

CSE Engineering, Inc., (www.cse-eng-inc.com) is the only company other than GE which has developed a communications driver and operator interface software capable of communicating with Mk IV+ panels, retrieving data, archiving it, controlling the unit via commands to the Mk IV+ panel. GE's offering is their CIMPLICITY-based HMI similar to what they provide with Mk V- and Mk VI-equipped units.

Again, not every Mk IV+ unit can be retrofit with the appropriate hardware, but if the MK IV+ already has a <D> or a SmartRemote then it can be converted to GE's HMI or CSE's IBECS Turbine Control, <ITC>(tm).

markvguy

P.S. EVERYBODY wants to interface their Mk IV to an HMI.... It's simply a matter of what you want to do with the HMI--simply display a limited amount of data, or control and monitor the unit. Also, one has to consider the cost of the HMI and the length of time they think they will continue to use the Mk IV/Mk IV+; that product line, while still a good control system, is no longer in production and parts are getting harder and more expensive, while several companies are offering alternatives for turbine control panel upgrades (control system retrofits), including, but not limited to, GE, Siemens, Global Controls, and a host of others using this-or-that PLC (which, as has been discussed elsewhere in this forum ain't the best idea...).
 
Can we use a parallel printer instead of serial printer. How can we convert the serial data o/p from HCMC card to parallel data.

sunil
 
You might find some kind of serial-to-parallel converter, but this author does not know of any way to convert the HCMC output at the HCMC.

If memory serves correctly, all you need is an Epson LQ-compatible printer (with a serial interface...). Many dot matrix printers have an option card that can be purchased and put in an option slot of the printer; most are not sold these days with serial capability.

This author has seen several sites connect the Mk IV printer output to a serial port of a PC, and, using a telecommunications application (ProCOMM or ProCOMM PLUS, even MS-Windows Hyperterminal) log the output of the port to the hard drive. It can also be shown on the telecomm display, and printed if necessary. It's not an elegant solution, but it is one solution which has been implemented many times. The PC doesn't have to be very fast or sophisticated!

markvguy
 
Dear Friends,

I need information about DS3800HCMC Card (Function,Logic/schematic diagram, Part List...). Would you please help me?
 
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