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.
To set the comm port on the Direct Touch, hold the upper left and lower right corners of the screen, and this will take you into the Setup Screen.
From the System Setup menu, select the communications port to set up.
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
If after selecting "Restore Uploaded Project" you get an error "E250 Upload Edit Not Enabled" then you cannot edit the project.
You can transfer the project to a new panel by selecting 'Download Restored Project' but the source code for the project to allow editing and/or viewing the project is not available.
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
Question:
I get an "OIT Not Supported" error.
Answer
Make sure the panel is in upload/download mode.
FAQ ID: 1283
Question:
The DirectTouch panels are listed as obsolete. What are my options ?
Answer
The Direct Touch products are no longer available from the manufacturer. This includes the panels and the programming software.
Some of the serial cables are still available but the panels & the programming software are not.
Issues that must be considered if you have a Direct Touch Panel.
- Screen Creator (the Direct Touch programming software) will not run in Windows Vista or Windows 7 and will not run in Windows XP 64 bit).
- It must use a native serial com ports (COM:1-COM:4)and not a USB adapter.
- There is no conversion process for any other HMIs. This includes all of our current HMIs.
- The newer panels we sell will not fit in the cutouts for a DP series panel.
- The cables will not interchange.
- If the original programmer of your DP panel did not enable upload edit, the project in the DP panel cannot be retrieved. They had to specifically enable this option when they created the project and downloaded it to the DP panel.
Some customers have switched to our C-More or C-More Micro HMIs. They rewrote their HMI projects from scratch, there is no conversion possible. They were required to modify their enclosure to accommodate the newer panel's cutout requirements or make an adapter plate. We do not sell an adapter.
If you have previous purchased the programming software (Screen Creator) through AutomationDirect.com, we can assist you in downloading the software from our website.
To get a copy of the DirectTouch software, please see FAQ 1635
We have some additional information here; Direct Touch application notes.
FAQ ID: 1431
Question:
How do I get a copy of the existing DirectTouch project that is running in my panel?
Answer
Since we no longer sell any of the Direct Touch products and the manufacturer doesn't make the panels we used to sell, we can give you access to the programming software, Screen Creator, for free. You can get the installation file by clicking DirectTouch Programming Software and select download icon in the top right corner of the screen. When it's finished downloading, unzip it, then run the SETUP program. Note this software was written for Windows XP and older and may not work on newer Windows versions.
You need a programming cable, which we don't sell anymore, but you can find a pin out of the serial programming cable in the Screen Creator manual in Appendix A page 15: Programming Cable Diagram
Note that the only USB to serial adaptor that we've found that works with the software, cable, and panel is our USB-RS232 unit: USB-RS232
We have an application note AN-DP-005.pdf that describes how to extract a project from a panel and attempt to restore it into the Screen Creator software to view the objects and their properties. The application note says no USB adaptors will work but that is incorrect, as stated above. The last portion describes that it may not be possible to restore the project into the software based on whether a box was selected in the software by the person who sent the project to the panel. If that's the case there is no workaround and all you will be able to do is send the project you uploaded into another panel.
FAQ ID: 1635