I am experiencing an issue with a GE Versamax micro PLC. When I try to go online through Port 1, the "OK LED" indicator turns off while the Power LED remains on. There is no response at all when using Port 2. I have tested the cable and settings on another Versamax micro PLC and they are functioning properly. Regards, John.
To reconnect the 'OK' LED, try disconnecting from Port 1 and power cycling. Keep in mind that Port 2 supports RS485, and Port 1 supports RS232. What interface are you utilizing to connect to Port 2? Also, do you possess the project file for the PLC program?
Greetings, Steve! By unplugging the cable from Port1, the "ok LED" lights up again without requiring a power cycle. I attempted to establish communication on Port 2 by utilizing a cable with a converter. My objective is to upload the latest program.
When attempting to start the PLC using the run/stop switch with the cable disconnected, it appears that the OK LED is also lost when connecting the cable to Port 1 without it being linked to the computer running Machine Edition. It is worth noting that there is 5VDC power on the port, and it is possible that something is causing a drop in this power supply when the cable is connected. To verify this, it is recommended to monitor the 5VDC between pins 5 and 7 of Port 2 while plugging the cable into Port 1. According to information found in the manual GFK1645G, the issue you are facing may be related to a short occurring across 5VDC on a serial port of a VersaMaxMicro or Nano PLC manufactured after June 2005. If a short is detected, indicated by a date code of 523 or higher, the unit will shut down until the short is resolved. Removing the short will allow the unit to fully recover and function properly.
Thank you Steve for your response. Your guidance led me in the right direction to troubleshoot the issue. I found that using an older laptop with a physical com port and running Windows XP with ME 5.5 resolved the communication problems with the Versamax micro. However, when using my other laptop, I had to use a USB-RS232 converter for communication, which caused issues when attempting to communicate by clicking the communication button in ME. The firmware version for the Versamax Micro is 2.71. Thank you for your assistance and support.
Hi John, it sounds like you're dealing with a vexing issue here. Given that you’ve ruled out connection issue and settings problem by testing them on another Versamax micro PLC, the issue might be hardware-related. It is possible that Port 1 is having intermittent faults and Port 2 could be entirely defective. I'd suggest reaching out to GE support for possible hardware repair or replacement. Alternatively, if you have a skilled technician on your team, they could potentially inspect the ports for any physical damage.
Hey John, it sounds like a tricky issue. Have you tried resetting the PLC? Sometimes, restoring it to factory settings can solve such problems. However, be careful because a factory reset will erase your current configuration. If the problem persists after a reset, there's a possibility that the PLC is faulty. Also, considering it's not functioning across both ports, there could be an internal hardware issue that needs to be catered to by professionals. I'd suggest reaching out to GE's technical support for further assistance.
John, out of curiosity, did you check the battery status? Sometimes, these issues can be caused by low power aside from a faulty communication unit. If that isn't the issue, the problem might be with the PLC itself. A part could be damaged or have lost its functionality over time. See if there's any physical indication of damage on ports or if you can try a hard reset. Let us know if these troubleshooting steps work for you.
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Answer: 1. Q: What could be the reason for the "OK LED" turning off when trying to go online through Port 1 on a GE Versamax micro PLC? The "OK LED" turning off could indicate a communication issue between the PLC and the device trying to connect. It might be due to incorrect settings, faulty cable, or issues with the port itself.
Answer: The lack of response on Port 2 could suggest a more severe connectivity problem, possibly related to the port's hardware failure or a configuration issue specific to Port 2.
Answer: To troubleshoot online connectivity problems, start by checking the cable connections, verifying the communication settings, ensuring the appropriate drivers are installed, and confirming the PLC's port configurations. If issues persist, consult the PLC's documentation or contact technical support for assistance.
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