modicon 984 "timeout on receive" error

[fletch05]

Using old dos based taylor and keep getting this error
message (2044). Have tried different cables and different
processors, same thing. Tried all combos of comm settings.
Tried installing it in windows 98 and xp, same thing. When
I press F1 to attach, the modbus light on processor flashes, get a "processor in dim awareness" message. Doing
a network scan it sees 984??? at node 1. Could it be a
autoexec.bat entry I need? Any help appreciated.

 

[Macbeth]

"processor in dim awareness" Means there is NO program in PLC. You need to Download program. If you don't have the program you are S.O.L. With out a program in PLC you can not go online.

 

[fletch05]

I can't download a ladder, I'm getting "timeout on receive
error" every time I try to go online. When I retry is when
I get the "processor in dim awareness" error, which I've had numerous times in the past and was always able
to restart the ladder (which was still there). The pc sees
the 984, but is not getting the right packet back in response to its queries. I'll get the "timeout" error on
a processor that is actually running a machine, and give the cable to another person running the same software, and
they can connect. I've tried 2 different laptops and different cables, all combinations of comm settings, even
tried to use ascii instead of rtu, to no avail. As soon
as I hit enter on the pc I get a flash on the modbus light
on the processor, so I know I'm getting through, but the
pc never sees the response back, apparently.

 

[modiconbob]

Are you positivly certain of the address? Modbus may have an address of 1-247. With the wrong address or any wrong parameter, you will return a time out error.
All 984's default to 9600 baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, even parity. Out of the box, the address is 1. On the slot mount 984's there is a mem/dip switch for address changes. In mem, it usually remains at 1, in mem it could be 1-247.

 

[modiconbob]

Made an error in the last post!
Should read "In Dip, it usually remains at 1, in mem it could be 1-247"
Sorry!

 

[fletch05]

Thanks for the reply Bob. When I do a F1 network scan
it shows 984??? at node 1. I tried experimenting with
the dip sw settings, even tried to communicate ascii
instead of rtu, but never saw the modbus led flash, except
with all dips in off position and using the default comm
parameters (9600,7,1,even). I'm thinking now that maybe
I have to run this out of dos, and need a autoexec.bat
entry of some kind to communicate? Really would like to
get past this problem, cause they just want too much money
for the newer software, and I don't like it anyway, always
was comfortable with the dos-based taylor program.

 

[modiconbob]

fletcho5,
I don't think that you need anything else for your software, and yes it's expensive.
Exactly what is the model number of your 984?
Something like AS-E984-685 or AS-984B-914?
Also what is the part number of the cable that you're using?
Can you talk to any other controller with this setup?

 

[fletch05]

Bob, it's a A984-145, a compact 984. I've tried to connect to 5 or six similar compacts. Some of the people I worked
with had this software running on same laptop (compaq) and
it worked ok. I suspected the cable originally, and had
someone connect using their laptop with my cable, and it
worked fine. Also tried using modbus+ with the correct
cable, and it didn't work either, but I knew I probably
didn't have the right drivers installed for the pcmcia
slot. I don't care about having modbus+, just want the
modbus connection to work. Thanks for your input, I've
been trying to get this to work for a long time, so any
other ideas will certainly be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[modiconbob]

fletch05,
Have you talked through the serial port to ANY other controller?
Your cable works with other computers.
Other computers with the same software, talk with this 984.
Is this a compact laptop lite elite 4/40 rx?
I have several of these and one in particular will not talk with a specific line of controllers. I have swapped the hard drives to ensure that all of the software is identical, and this particular unit will NOT talk. I have come to the conclusion that this unit has some electrical or timing problem with the serial port. Maybe you're in the same situation.
If you want, contact me offline.

Bob

http://www.deltaautomation.com