Watlow F4 Controller with LabView

[crustomji]

Hi Kumar, were you able to get the Watlow F4 controler working? I am getting an identical error as you were... I am using the latest VISA, LabView 2012. I cannot get the simple IDN command to work in MAX... thanks.

[crustomji]

Nevermind- figured out the problem. Espec have wired their unit assuming the RS-232 cable the user is using is a STRAIGHT THRU cable, not NULL. This is very unususual when it comes to wiring instruments as far as I am concerned. What's worse is they do not specify this anywhere in the provided manuals. This fixes communications... now onto the LV VIs, which if the threads are any indication, could be worse than the Espec nonsense...

[RavensFan]

I think that language is uncalled for in what is supposed to be a professional technical support forum.

[RTSLVU]

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@crustomji wrote:

Nevermind- figured out the problem. Ass clowns at Espec have wired their unit assuming the RS-232 cable the user is using is a STRAIGHT THRU cable, not NULL. This is very unususual when it comes to wiring instruments as far as I am concerned. What's worse is they do not specify this anywhere in the provided manuals. 

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Not unusual at all as there are two standards for serial port wiring. 

Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) historically mainframe terminals, now computers

Data Comunication Equipment (DCE) modems and other peripherals

Connecting DTE to DCE you use a stright through pin for pin cable

Connecting DCE to DCE or DTE to DTE you use a 'null modem" cable swapping Rx and Tx and handshaking if used. 

If the connectors are wired correctly it's easy to determine the cable you need. A computer has a 9 pin male jack, this is DTE if the device you are connecting to has a 9 pin femal jack it is DCE and you use a straight through cable. If both jacks are the same then you need a null modem or crossover cable.

[dognic21]

How did you end up solving this issue? I am currently trying to communicate with a watlow Touch through TCP/IP and am having issues writing to the device. I can read just can not write. 

Thank you

[erezg]

I did not try to write to the instrument yet (only to read). I’ll have to try soon (couple of weeks) – If I’ll have any luck I’ll be happy to share

[isone]

Can you please share the code in which you solved your setpoint issue ? 

I am having the set point issue as well , I appreciate any help.

Thanks

[ewang52]

Is there anything specific that you would want help with? If you post your code, we could try to help you out.

Eric Wang

Applications Engineering

[erezg]

Dear Isone,

I did not try to write to the F4 yet. Sound hard,.... please share if you succeed.

Best, Erez

[magpie15]

Hello,

I hope you are able to get your project up and running. I wanted to let you know that you may have better luck getting responses with a new forum post as this one is older and marked as resolved. You are also welcome to create a service request to get help on this application.