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PLC basics

Ric

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I'd like to learn about plc's. I dug up an article in the spring 2003 edition of SSCWN. It's an intro to plc programming for carwashes. Do you think it would still be a good starting point since it is 5 years old now? Where else might I go to get some basics and tinker around with a plc?
 

MEP001

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I use the Siemens LOGO! series, which (1) isn't technically a PLC, and (2) requires software that costs about $75. It does a lot, but a true PLC is a lot more versatile.
 

lag

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I also use the LOGO!. I also use a Teco PLR(programmable logic relay) .The software is free ,and has a simulation mode. You can also download a user manual. The LOGO! ,and the Teco are good way to learn the basics of programming,without spending a ton of money.


These units ,as Mep stated are not a true PLC but never the less I have found many uses for them around the car wash.
http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.22/.f
 

pitzerwm

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In the Library area here under presentation, you can get a little idea on them.
 

Greg Pack

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Some free training at plcs.net

I went to a three day class at automation direct headquarters near Atlanta, It was good, but I have forgotten 90% of what I learned. I'd like to go back.
 

Bubbles Galore

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Can you give me an example of how you would use the TECO PLR at your wash? I would like to automate as much as possible and this looks like the way to do it.
 

MEP001

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I've given an example before - I use the LOGO!, which is basically the same thing, as an individual bay controller for pump delay, a blow-down and a method to cancel the CC transaction when the STOP position is selected. I've written about two dozen different programs for it, from as simple as a way to use ordinary momentary-contact switches as latching push-button controls to a 6-color wax application from three colors of foam to a very versatile RO production unit controller.
 
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lag

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I use these to control bay and building lighting(3 LOGO!s ,and 2 Teco).


I also use Tecos in our automatics to run a Rain-x system, a super dry system (4 blowers on one wash.and 6 blowers on 2 others),to give a wash in use signal to our tellers, a bug prep system (to put a differnet chemical on the front of a car ,then switch to the other soap ,all on the same pass) , to run gattling guns ,on the underwash. I also use to delay our dryer motors (2 power supplys to each panel,then delaying the start of each blower). I also have some extra signage that I run during the wash ,and a door system.

I have them to run a blowdown during the winter in our automatics.

I am currently considering using as a way to micro manage our floor heat ,and radiant heat systems,during the winter, and thinking also about a antifreeze system in our self serve bays.

They for me have replaced a relay panel for each bay that was just getting bigger,and bigger each year.
 

JIMT

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I went my local college and took a course that they were teaching on using PLC's. I bought the software for the PLC that I had and they had a training manual with it that showed how to write programs. Then I just started doing it myself and learning how to do it.
JIMT
 

MEP001

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lag said:
They for me have replaced a relay panel for each bay that was just getting bigger,and bigger each year.
That's what I like most about them - the LOGO! can't do much that you could do with a bunch of relays tied together, but one good on/off delay relay costs almost as much as one LOGO! unit, and you can program in 50-100 different relays in one unit.
 

Bud

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Speaking of pump & dryer delays, how much time on a SS pump should be delayed as to not have the motor kick on when someone is just dialing in to another service such as foam brush? Also I have docking dryers on our PDQ 4000s. How much delay should be between the 2 motors coming on? There already is a delay built in but it seems like it is not enough. I believe once the first motor is at full speed the other could be started, right?
 

Rudy

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I added a programmable relay to control the closing of my automatic door. Instead of a time delay, I use the safety beam as an input to the relay. When the beam gets broken for over 2.4 seconds (the time it takes a small car to clear the beam), the PLR gets "armed", and then "closes" the door after the beam has been clear for 1 second.
 

MEP001

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Bud said:
how much time on a SS pump should be delayed as to not have the motor kick on when someone is just dialing in to another service such as foam brush?
I use 1 second - the contacts have to remain closed for that long before the pump will kick in, and have to remain open for that long to disengage. I used the same PLC and the same delay for the RO pump.
 

lag

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Bud....Your docking dryers have 2 separate power supply's ,one for each producer. PDQ has a plc on board. Unless you are having a problem tripping the main on your breaker box,your time delay should not have to be messed with.
 
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