Hello everyone, I recently came across an old and dusty GE 90-30 Model 364 in our shop storage area. After cleaning it up and assembling it, I realized that my company has clients who previously used this model years ago. Although I am familiar with Modicons, Quantums, flexLogix, and ControlLogix, I am struggling to connect to the CPU on this particular model. I am using VersaPro Standard and have attempted to communicate with the processor through both the Ethernet and RS-485 ports without success. Despite resetting the communication settings to default by removing the battery, I am still encountering issues. The EOK and LAN LEDs light up when the unit is powered on and the Ethernet cable is connected, but I am unable to update the firmware or connect with the winloader. I would greatly appreciate any assistance or advice on this matter. Thank you.
The CPU364 module's serial port is reserved for maintenance tasks such as downloading firmware upgrades. To establish serial communication with VersaPro, you will need to utilize the 15-pin RS485 port on the power supply and connect it via an RS485.RS232 converter like the IC690ACC900 or HE693SNP232. The converter draws its power (5 VDC) from the port, with the +5VDC located on pin 5 (while pin 7 is at 0V). By default, the port settings are configured to 19,200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and odd parity. Ensure that the COM port on your computer is accessible and check which COM port VersaPro is configured to use.
I am utilizing the RS-485 port and an adapter to attempt a firmware upgrade. The default settings mentioned for COM1 in VersaPro have been configured consistently across winloader, VersaPro, and my COM port settings. Despite trying Telnet, there has been no response.
Ensure that you are receiving +5VDC on pin 5 of the power supply port. The cable connecting your computer's COM port to the 9-pin side of the adapter should match up pin to pin (1 - 1, 2 - 2, 3 - 3, etc.). With only the CPU and power supply installed on the baseplate, take note of which LEDs on the power supply and CPU light up when the system is powered on. Also, observe if the 'SNP' LED on the CPU module blinks when trying to connect online with VersaPro for the first time. It is important to check if the CPU module and power supply were installed together on the baseplate while the system was in storage, as the battery backing up RAM is connected from the power supply to the CPU through the baseplate. If the CPU and power supply were stored separately, the RAM may have been cleared, potentially losing any stored program or configuration settings on flash memory upon power-up.
Upon inspecting the system, I noticed that the Power Supply (PS) is showing a Power (PWR) and Okay (OK) light, while the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is displaying an Error Okay (EOK) light. Despite my attempts to establish a connection from VersaPro, no changes were observed. Both the PS and CPU were securely mounted to the backplane. Further investigation revealed a lack of voltage on pin 5 of the SNP-RS485 adapter, with pins 2 and 8 holding steady at 9.5 volts, and pins 1, 6, and 9 registering at 10.1 volts.
The 'SNP' LED on the CPU module will flash to indicate activity on the serial cable. If this LED remains inactive when attempting to establish a connection using VersaPro, it suggests a potential physical issue such as a damaged wire, incorrect cable, or lack of power supply for the adapter. When referencing +5 VDC on pin 5, it should be checked on the 15-pin port of the power supply, not the 9-pin side of the adapter. The LED indicators on the power supply are normal during initial startup, showing that the CPU has no stored data. While the lack of a lit 'BATT' LED implies possible data stored in RAM, the absence of activity from the 'SNP' LED suggests a focus on wiring problems. During connection attempts, the 'SNP' LED should blink periodically. To troubleshoot: 1. Confirm the presence of +5 VDC between pins 5 and 7 on the power supply to power the active components in the adapter. Consider creating a temporary "cheater" cable if necessary. 2. Check the functionality of the COM1 port on your computer and ensure it is not already in use by other software. 3. Verify that the cable connecting your computer's COM port to the adapter's 9-pin side follows a 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc. pin configuration.
Hey there! It sounds like you've done a great job trouble-shooting the issues thus far. It seems the problem might lie with your method of communication. Given that GE 90-30 Model 364 is a bit older, I'd recommend using Proficy Machine Edition instead of VersaPro for programming. VersaPro might be having compatibility issues with this model. If you still have troubles, another step could be checking the dip switches on the power supply; they should be in the off position when you're trying to connect. Stick with it, you'll crack it!
Hey there, it sounds like you're facing quite a challenge with the GE 90-30 364 model. My first recommendation would be to check if you are using the correct GE Ethernet driver in your configuration or not. Sometimes, compatibility issues can be the culprit. Besides that, the Ethernet card's settings might need to be revisited. Make sure you have the station manager password if required, and validate the IP and subnet settings match your network configuration. Additionally, remember that the winloader will only work through a serial port, not Ethernet, before you can update the firmware. Good luck!
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Answer: Answer: When encountering communication problems with the GE 90-30 Model 364, start by checking the connection settings, ensuring the correct communication ports are used (Ethernet or RS-485), and verifying the LED indicators on the unit. Resetting communication settings to default by removing the battery is also a common troubleshooting step.
Answer: Answer: If you are experiencing difficulties connecting to the GE 90-30 Model 364 CPU using VersaPro Standard, ensure that the software is compatible with this specific model. Double-check the configuration settings in VersaPro and verify that the correct communication protocol and parameters are selected.
Answer: Answer: If the EOK and LAN LEDs indicate power and network connectivity but you still cannot update firmware or connect with the winloader, consider checking the network configuration, firewall settings, and any potential software conflicts. Additionally, ensure that the firmware update process is compatible with the GE 90-30 Model 364.
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