Cliff
Yup, that is out of my budget. But I have a friend, and fellow sub
builder that wants to go all out on his control and monitoring system
including the touch screen. So what is the leaning curve for PLC and the
required electronics of sensor integration? And what web, book, and or
training resources would you recommend for someone with beginner digital
electronics abilities and good object and structure programming skills, but no
PLC?
Is automation control your field of work, or did you develop this skill for
your sub? And so do you have experience with PC104 ( www.pc104.org) and would that be a better
approach for someone with C or VB experience but no PLC?
Thanks again
Doug
In a message dated 4/2/2005 8:38:24 AM Central Standard Time,
dr_redus@devtex.net writes:
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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