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Doug,
The cost breakdown for the Automation Direct PLC system on my boat is: PLC
hardware $2183, Software $394, color touchscreen display $745 and joystick $469
for a total of $3791. If you are patient and know what you want, you can pick up
I/O modules on Ebay at a significant discount. As an example, an Ebay
search string Automation Direct will usually turn up a list of available PLC
modules.
Cliff
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 12:41
AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] computers in
subs
Simon,
I know it's out of my league, but out of curiosity, what is the price tag
for that setup?
Thanks --Doug J
Simon,
For the 1 atm sub I have under fabrication, I
am using an Automationdirect (http://web4.automationdirect.com/adc/Home/Home),
DirectLogic 205 series PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) with a 6"
color touch screen display which is used to interface with the
controller and for all gage displays. The PLC base has 9 modules, 1
CPU, 3 analog input, 1 digital input, 1 RTD input, 1 analog output and
two relay output modules. The PLC is currently configured with 20
analog input channels, 12 digital input channels, 4 RTD temperatures inputs,
4 analog output channels, and 18 relay output channels. The CPU module
(DL 260), which is about the size of a bar of soap, has two RS232
ports, one of which is used to connect to my compass/roll/pitch sensor and
the other is connected to the touch screen display. A dual axis joy
stick is used for roll and pitch analog input to the PLC and
a potentiometer on the rudder pedals is used as an analog input
for yaw control. The joystick has 6 switches that I use for blowing
and flooding the MBT and VBT as well as moving the trim weight forward
or aft via a power screw driven by a hydraulic motor. This
setup gives me fly by wire capability. A laptop PC was used
to write the ladder logic, design the screens and download the ladder logic
and screens into the PLC. All is working fine on the bench and I found the
system to be quite flexible in changing inputs and outputs to the PLC and
modifying display screens.
A PLC was chosen over a hardened PC for
robustness and to minimize space. The PLC is powered from either the main
battery bank (120 VDC) via a DC-DC converter (120 VDC to 24
VDC) or from an independent emergency battery pack (24 VDC).
Cliff
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 5:08
AM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] computers in
subs
NEW TOPIC!!
Who
uses onboard computers on their subs? Are you using modified
trimix
SCUBA computers, or homebrew type stuff?
Simon,
You mean a dive computer or a normal? On a 1 atm sub
a deco computer makes no sense.
If my sub is operational again; I consider a pocket
pc for instument reading ,listing checklists, gps navigation and as video
camera display/capture.
There are probably more possebilities and it might
save space.
disadvantage: not water resistant
regards Emile
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