PID E6C and RS485 - could I use this for data acquisition?

[asd]

Hi,

I have an E6C PID controller - Looking at pins 4,5 &6 , they are labelled o/p3 and have RS485 next to them. Does this mean they could be used to acquire data, if so, what data, and how?

Thanks.

Simon.

 

[jamesb]

If they have the RS485 module in them, then yes.

You'll need an RS485/RS422 serial port for your computer, you can pick them up pretty cheaply.

If it uses Modbus I can send you some VB.Net code to deal with it.

 

[asd]

Hi Thanks, I don't know much about this sort of thing, I am very rusty on it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-Pin-RS-232- ... vi-content

Do I get one of these?

What next?

Simon.

 

[jamesb]

Never used one of those, I've had enough problems with cheap converters over the years. Although more expensive, I prefer Brainboxes stuff. The Uc 324 is what I use at the moment.

So far I've only used then as 4-wire but in a fortnight I'll be trying a bus with some of these on so I'll have to go back to the bad old days of 2 wire.

http://novusautomation.co.uk/acatalog/N322_PT100.html

They do PIDs as well and they're also MODBUS supported.

 

[asd]

Hmm, thanks, V interesting, I'll look into this further.

I'll probably (definitely) be asking a few more questions, I reckon!

Simon.

 

[asd]

I don't think my West E6C PID has the RS485 facility after all.

I like the look of the N322, but might go down the Brewpi route.

Simon.