Lookout 6.2 displays BCD/hex formated data (152) from AutomationDirect 250-1 as a decimal(338).

[dalewh]

Thanks for your response. I do not understand how to accomplish your suggestion. I cannot find a reference to Hex in the tag configuration.

[dalewh]

Thanks for your response. I do not understand how to accomplish your suggestion. I do not find a reference to Hex in the tag configuration.

[jbesselm · Accepted solution]

Are you using the NI OPC Servers that come with Lookout 6.2 and higher? This does allow BCD data type on V memory. 

[dalewh]

Yes, we are using Lookout 6.2 and BCD is listed as available. However, when BCD was selected we noted no change from the decimal values we were seeing and assumed that was not a correct selection for whatever reason! After your response, I tried selecting the BCD format again with the same results as before(same decimal values displayed). But this time I kept the BCD selection in saving the OPCserver and closed the Lookout process and opened it up waited approximately 1 minute and the correct BCD values appeared! I'm asking the question why so long to update and why did I have to close the process and reopen to get this to work? My data updates are consistently < 1 second.

While the OPC server is a great addition to the Lookout program, it does not seem to be as efficient relative to  changes while the program is running as Lookout.

Thanks to all who responded to my problem!

[jbesselm]

Can't answer as to why, but I have found that after making some changes to the OPC server the client process will have to be reloaded. In the object explorer you can also right click on the OPC Driver and click Refresh and accomplish the same thing I Think. From the OPC Server Help I found the following:

Full Time online

To acquire data from a PLC or device, a channel and device must be configured in the server, and a client application must be requesting data. The full time online mode of operation is used r OPC server project to be modified while the server continues to supply data to client applications. Almost every parameter can be changed while the server is operating (although some parameters including tag attributes may not take effect until you reconnect the OPC client). Parameters like communication port or baud rate can be changed while a client application is active, if needed. More importantly, user defined tags can be added to the server without shutting down client applications. When new tags are added to the server, they are immediately added to the OPC browse space, and will be available to OPC clients.

I have found the OPC Server to be an excellent way to communicate with the Koyo PLCs using the ECOM module. I have found this to be more reliable than using Directlogic Plus which was written for earlier versions of Lookout. I believe that if you are using the H2-ECOM100 module you could use Lookouts MODBUS TCP driver object. Over all we have found the OPC servers to be a very positive addition.

[ICS-Dave]

Here's my 2 cents:

If 6.2 works anything like 4.51, and the 250 is anything like the 06, then this syntax might help:

In Lookout plc.V2000:B  =  PLC BCD value in V2000

In Lookout plc.V2002 : DB  =  PLC double BCD value in V2002 (no spaces surrounding colon - if I remove them I get a smiley)

In Lookout plc.V2004:R  =  PLC Real value in V2004

In Lookout plc.V2006  =  PLC Decimal value in V2006

(assues comm link is named "plc")

Hope it helps.

[dalewh]

Jim,

Thanks for your input, you prompted me to push the situation further and we stumbled over the answer.  Thanks again! 

[dalewh]

Dave,

We do have a fix, we appreciate your response!