5504GI still playing up

NickLocke · Mar 25, 2006

Folks,

I have a suspicion that my last post on this got buried. This is what I was asking:

Readings all stubbornly stuck on zero.

Following advice on another thread, I have tried using 2.7.7 to look "inside" the GIU, all looks ok. Tried the same with 2.7.6, again all looks ok. Tried uploading from 2.7.6, behaviour afterwards is still the same.

Firmware is 4.3.00.

I am feeding the GIU (and the sensors) from a stabilised 24VDC supply - do the internal workings perhaps need something higher than that?

I really can't think what to do next.
Click to expand...

I have measured the voltages between +24 and the device inputs and I'm seeing 18 to 21 approx.

I have measured the current between +24 and one of the device inputs and I'm seeing 22.5mA - which now leaves me confused as to the whole concept of 4-20mA !

Still completely clueless! Thanks.

Nick

NickLocke · Mar 27, 2006

No better with Toolkit 1.3.0

It had to be worth a try! Full install of Toolkit 1.3.0 and C-Gate. Project updated. Still exactly the same - all readings stuck on zero.

I need some help please guys!!

Nick

RatDeSewer · Mar 27, 2006

Hi Nick,

There may be a fault with your GI unit and as such I suggest you call Tech Support on 1300 722 247 (or refer to http://www2.clipsal.com/cis/technical/technical_support if outside Australia).

Best Regards

RDS

NickLocke · Mar 28, 2006

E/mail sent to Support

RDS, thanks for your guidance. I am in the UK, so I have sent an e/mail to [email protected]:

Hello,

I have a General Input Unit (5504GI) which I puchased two weeks ago and, so far, cannot get to work. The unit details are 05-08-04 / 1629526 / 001000361558 and it is reporting firmware version 4.3.00 to Toolkit. I have 4-20mA sensors connected to channels 1, 2 and 3. The problem is that I cannot achieve any reading apart from zero, either within the monitor function of Toolkit or by querying C-Gate.

I am powering the unit from a stabilised 24VDC supply. The sensors are connected between +24 and 1&A, 2&A and 3&A as per the wiring diagram supplied.

I have measured the voltage across the sensors (so, between +24 and 1&A etc) and am seeing voltages between 18V and 21V. This makes me wonder whether I should be increasing the input voltage to get closer to 24V across the sensors (I am aware that there is an up to 5V drop internally to the 5504GI but, at the same time, I don't want to exceed the 27V limit stated for the 5504GI itself) ?

I have also measured the current passing through one of the sensors (by connecting a meter between the sensor and the 1&A input). I saw a current of 22.5mA, whereas I should presumably have been expecting somewhere between 4mA and 20mA - is this perhaps related to the voltage question above? With this current flowing, regardless of the voltage, I would perhaps expect to see a reading other than zero from the 5504GI ?

Following advice from the C-Bus Internet Forum, I have also tried programming the unit with software v2.7.6 and v2.7.7 with exactly the same results. I have also tried Toolkit 1.3.0 and, again, the readings are constantly zero.

I am starting to suspect that the unit is faulty. However, before jumping to that conclusion, I would welcome your thoughts on whether I am likely to be suffering a problem because of the voltages (as above). I would also welcome your advice on whether there is anything else I should be doing to troubleshoot.

Many thanks for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Nick Locke
+44 7x7x 7x4x4x
Click to expand...

Let's see where we go from here.......

Nick

NickLocke · Mar 29, 2006

Onwards......

A prompt initial response:

Hi Nick,

I believe the issue you are observing is caused by firmware. Return the unit with a copy of this email, and a new unit (with updated firmware) will be sent to you ASAP.

Regards,

Mxxxxxx Fxx
Technical Support Assistant
Clipsal Integrated Systems Pty. Ltd
Click to expand...

.....to which I have replied:

Mxxxxxx,

Thanks for the prompt response.

I am in the UK. Should I send the unit directly back to yourselves, or should I try and go via the UK distributor?

Thanks,

Nick
Click to expand...

Hopefully I will get a response to that when you Aus chaps get out of bed tomorrow.

Nick

ashleigh · Mar 29, 2006

Hi Nick, and any other users of the 5504GI,

I'm sorry to say that CIS engineering don't agree with the diagnosis of a firmware fault. There is some other defect with Nicks unit, and returning it for repair is appropriate.

Can other users of the 5504GI please *not* assume that every one of them should be returned for some magical firmware change. If you have one and it does what you want, please leave it alone.

Thanks

NickLocke · Apr 1, 2006

Update.....

.....the 5504GI is on the way back to the UK distributor and a new unit has been ordered. So, hopefully, whether it is firmware or something else entirely, I should be up and running soon.

Thanks to everyone that has helped.

Nick

NickLocke · May 20, 2006

Progress Update

I thought it would be worth an update on progress.

In short, I am still waiting for a replacement or updated 5504GI.

Apparently, my supplier is still waiting for something to arrive from Australia.

So, it has only been seven weeks so far.......

NickLocke · Aug 16, 2006

Eureka !

I have finally received a shiny new 5504GI. It is connected to the same sensors as the old one, so all 4-20mA. The difference is that ..... this one works!

I still have some work to do on scaling etc, but I can now see "raw" values between 0 and 255 on all four channels -- much better than the fixed 0 that I was getting before.

I suspect we shall never know whether the old unit was faulty, or whether I needed the latest firmware. Bottom line is, it's working!

Thanks to everyone that helped.

Nick

5504GI still playing up

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ashleigh Moderator

NickLocke

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