AutomationDirect Logo DirectTouch Panels Frequently Asked Questions

 

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Question: When I try to communicate to my 250(-1), 260,06 CPU on port 2 RS422 I keep getting the error (#2965 CH3 Time Out error Check the cable and PLC station number).
Answer: If you are using our D2-DSCBL-2 make sure that the wires are connected as shown on page A-4 of the ScreenCreator manual and that blue/white is tied to Green/white, and blue is tied to green. If making your own RS422 cable make sure that it is connected as follows: 
15 Pin     Touch Screen
     7             SG
    10             RD
     9             RD+
     6             SD-
    13             SD+
Jumper 11-14 and 12-15 on the 15 pin port.
FAQ ID: 160

Question: What are the standard Modbus ranges in ScreenCreator?
Answer: Station Number : 00 to 99 Coil : 1 to 9999 Input : 10001 to 19999 Input Register : 30001 to 39999 Holding Register: 40001 to 49999
FAQ ID: 161

Question: I am placing my DP-C320 touch screen that will be located between 50' and 100' from the PLC. Is there a recommended type of belden cable that I should use?
Answer: We recommend using the Belden cable 9729 in this situation.
FAQ ID: 162

Question: How do I get the Touch Screen to automatically read the Data and Time from the PLC?
Answer: Put a clock and a calendar part on the Global Screen and change their Access to CLOSED and SELECTABLE.
FAQ ID: 163

Question: Will the Touch Panel work with an A-B AIC module?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 164

Question: Will the DP-C321 connect to a GE 90-30 using Modbus?
Answer: Yes.
FAQ ID: 165

Question: Can the DP software share tags with DirectSOFT?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 166

Question: Can I use both communication ports on the Touch Panel at the same time?
Answer: No, it is not possible to communicate to other devices using both communication ports at the same time. However you can be connected to the RS232 port for programming while at the same time connected to the RS422 port for communication to another device.
FAQ ID: 168

Question: Can the DP-C321 display floating point numbers?
Answer: Yes, as long as the software version is 1.15 or later.
FAQ ID: 169

Question: Can the Touch Panel communicate Modbus to another device?
Answer: Yes.
FAQ ID: 170

Question: Does the Touch Screen support DF1 or DH485?
Answer: Only DF1 at this time.
FAQ ID: 171

Question: Does the DP-Panel have an ASCII driver?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 347

Question: I'm getting an Error 7643 on the DP-C321 panel. What is wrong?
Answer: You will only get this error after downloading a project to the panel. This error indicates that the communication port has not been set on the panel.
FAQ ID: 410

Question: Can I use the internal Beep on the touch panel for an Alarm indicator?
Answer: NO, the beep is only there to provide active feed back indicating that something has been pushed.
FAQ ID: 411

Question: Can I network 3 DP-C321s with an AB SLC500?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 477

Question: Can the Direct Touch panel display STRING data from Think & Do?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 478

Question: Can I change screens on the Direct Touch panels from the PLC?
Answer: Yes, use the Screen Select Control Part.
FAQ ID: 479

Question: Can Direct Touch Panels communicate 600 feet away from a D4-440DC-1?
Answer: Yes, but only through the RS422 port.
FAQ ID: 567

Question: Which cable do I use from the WinPLC to the DP panel?
Answer: DP-2CBL.
FAQ ID: 568

Question: Can the PLC control which screen is viewed on the DirectTouch panels?
Answer: Yes.
FAQ ID: 569

Question: Will the DP-ABCBL-2 work with the AB Micrologix 1200 PLC?
Answer: Yes.
FAQ ID: 722

Question: Could you use either port of the AB Micrologix 1500 with the Direct Touch panel?
Answer: No. Only the bottom port of the 1500 may be used.
FAQ ID: 762

Question: What does an "Error 2" indicate when doing a System Check on the com ports of the panel?
Answer: This feature is intended for factory diagnostics only and should be disregarded.
FAQ ID: 848

Question: I keep getting this error "No Response From OIP" when I try to upload or download a project to my DirectTouch panel.
Answer: This error is a result of the voltage on your PC comport being low.This is a common problem with Laptop computers. We have found that using this RS-232 port Optical Isolator from B&B Electronics www.bb-elec.com works well. P/N 9POP4. Model 9POP4 protects four RS-232 lines from ground loops and surges up to 2000 V RMS. A single +12 VDC power supply powers both sides. Ideal for low powered ports on newer laptops and other PCs.
FAQ ID: 922

Question: Can the backlight be replaced in the DP panels?
Answer: The 320 series could be replaced but not the 321 series. We can no longer source replacement backlight bulbs for any of the Direct Touch panels.
FAQ ID: 1055

Question: When I upload a project from my panel into Screen Creator, it says it cannot be restored, how can I get it into my new panel?
Answer: After the upload into the software you cannot restore it you will get "E251 Upload edit Enable" if "Upload Edit Enable" was not selected on the download screen when the panel was originally programmed. You can however connect to the new panel after the upload from the old panel and download it to the new panel.
FAQ ID: 1078

Question: How do I access the setup screen?
Answer: Touch the upper left and bottom right corners of the screen at the same time.
FAQ ID: 1092

Question: I get Error 2225 on my Direct Touch screen. It has been working for years without problem no recent modifications have been made. What could be the problem?
Answer: If your using a DirectLogic PLC the mode switch is more than likely in the "RUN" position with any HMI connected the mode switch must remain in the "TERM" position at all times.
FAQ ID: 1094

Question: Can I use a USB-to-Serial adapter to upload and download projects to my Direct Touch panel?
Answer: NO!! You must use a PC with a built in 9pin serial port.
FAQ ID: 1096