Who are the PLC gurus?

BornHandy · May 11, 2019

I just got my hands on a Mitsubishi PLC. Looks like I/O's, power supply, and the din rail. It used to operate robotic arms. I would love to re-purpose it as a wave-maker controller, or anything else I can think of later.

Anyone who knows about PLC's be willing to point me in the right direction?

Big G · May 12, 2019

theatrus · May 13, 2019

BornHandy said:
I just got my hands on a Mitsubishi PLC. Looks like I/O's, power supply, and the din rail. It used to operate robotic arms. I would love to re-purpose it as a wave-maker controller, or anything else I can think of later.

Anyone who knows about PLC's be willing to point me in the right direction?

Do you have a copy of the corresponding software? The Mitsubishi software doesn't appear to be easily obtainable from their website.

dantimdad · May 13, 2019

It's not easy to get. They make you have a log in to download. We got away from them at work and do everything with johnson and lyon.

I don't do a bunch with them but all software has to go through me for vetting first.

BornHandy · May 13, 2019

dantimdad said:
It's not easy to get. They make you have a log in to download. We got away from them at work and do everything with johnson and lyon.

I don't do a bunch with them but all software has to go through me for vetting first.

I have a copy of gx developer (the disk and key was in the cabinet), but it looks like it isn't the right software for my PLC. I may be dead in the water...

dantimdad · May 13, 2019

That stinks.

theatrus · May 13, 2019

Agree that stinks. What model of PLC is it?

The Automation Direct units are cheap and cheerful, maybe worth swapping via selling the original on eBay and buying one of those?

reefwiser · May 14, 2019

It used to program this unit. It had a PC program that ran on Windows and had a keyboard that mounted to the front of the unit. Unless you have had a PLC classes it’s programming language was really hard to learn.

You can buy a simple on/off timer that can be hooked to a outlet to turn a powerhead off and on.

Bigtrout · May 14, 2019

Or a 10 dollar raspberry pi zero W and build a reef pi controller ;)

Umfortunately, with an undustrial plc, its the software that costs you, every brand having their own propietary software.

I built a reef pi controller that currently is doing
8 powet outlets
2 heaters
3 temp sensors
4 channel pwm for lights

Soon to have a ph probe

Total cost to build was around $130 range and the software is open source, and allows me to access it from anywhere on my network. The community is helpful and reef pi is still being developed and improved. Take a look!

chachew · May 17, 2019

Bigtrout said:
Or a 10 dollar raspberry pi zero W and build a reef pi controller ;)

Umfortunately, with an undustrial plc, its the software that costs you, every brand having their own propietary software.

I built a reef pi controller that currently is doing
8 powet outlets
2 heaters
3 temp sensors
4 channel pwm for lights

Soon to have a ph probe

Total cost to build was around $130 range and the software is open source, and allows me to access it from anywhere on my network. The community is helpful and reef pi is still being developed and improved. Take a look!

Which open source project are you using?