Troubleshooting GEFANUC 90-70 PLC Communication Issue with PCM711 Module using Modbus RTU – Need Assistance

Question:

Hey Steve, I'm currently facing an issue with my GEFANUC 90-70 PLC, specifically involving the PCM711 module configured as a Modbus master rtu with MegaBasic. This setup is connected to two Bently Nevada racks and was working smoothly in retrieving and storing data into the CPU module. However, after a recent power loss, communication has ceased. Upon inspecting the PCM711 memory using a hyper terminal, I discovered only two executable files, "FS.exe" and "FH.exe". Unfortunately, I lack the necessary tools to resolve this issue. The documentation suggests needing PCOP, TERMF, and a Megabasic file for Modbus configuration. Could you provide some assistance on this matter? Please note that Megabasic files typically have the .bas suffix. It is possible to manage without PCOP, as Termf should suffice for the task at hand. In fact, Hyperterm may also be a viable option for troubleshooting. Would appreciate your guidance on this.

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The file Pcmexec.bat includes important commands: Q FH.EXE 0, Q FS.EXE 0, R FH.EXE /BR FS.EXE. There are no .bas files present. When the reset button is pressed for under 5 seconds, the OK LED blinks, but there are issues with communication connectivity.

Steve Bailey inquired about the existence of additional files with the suffix .bas in Megabasic. He suggested that PCOP may not be necessary and that Termf or even Hyperterm could suffice for your needs. Is there a sample Megabasic file available for reading/writing Modbus commands?

Apologies for the confusion. Megabasic files use the .pgm suffix rather than .bas. Upon powerup or soft reset, the PCM executes the program pcmexec.bat. Compiled executable files have the .exe extension. Issuing the "Q" commands enables writing to the FH.exe and FS.exe files. Running FH.exe in the background can be achieved with the "R FH.exe /B" command. Similarly, the command "R FS.exe" executes the FS.exe program. Consider connecting a terminal program to the serial port during a soft reset to monitor the outgoing characters. I am uncertain if a Modbus master program is available in Megabasic.

Hey there, I definitely empathize with your situation. It seems like the recent power loss might have corrupted or deleted some necessary files in your PCM711 module. As you've noted, you'll indeed need the TERMF and Megabasic (.bas) file for Modbus configuration. To begin, try utilizing the Hyperterm for troubleshooting. In addition, you mentioned you don't possess the necessary tools to resolve the issue, so seeking assistance from a GEFANUC technician would be a prudent next step as they'll have the advantage of hands-on experience and potentially specific software tools for this module. Moreover, always ensure your PLCs are equipped with reliable Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) to mitigate risk from unexpected power loss in the future. Hope this helps! If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

Hey there, It seems like you've run into a bit of a snag with your GEFANUC 90-70 PLC. You've definitely covered all the right bases by checking for executable files on PCM711 and consulting your documentation. It appears that some of your necessary applications might have been inadvertently erased during the power loss, hence the communication issue. Using Hyperterm for troubleshooting is definitely a great suggestion. In terms of replacing the necessary tools, if you have access to any previous backup of your system, it might contain the necessary .bas files. Alternatively, it could be worth reaching out to GE or Bently Nevada support lines for assistance. They may have a means to acquire these necessary tools or configurations or offer a viable alternative for you. Good luck with this, and I hope you get your PLC back up and running soon!

Hi there, It seems like your PCM711 may have lost its configuration due to the unexpected power outage. The missing ".bas" files may hold your Modbus configuration, which would explain the halted communication. If you have a backup of the configuration, you can use the TERMF tool to download it back to the PCM711, even without PCOP. If that's not the case, unfortunately, you might need to redevelop the programming from scratch, which could be a significant task depending on the complexity of your configuration. As for the use of Hyperterm, it's definitely practical for diagnostics, but will only give you live data from the Modbus. I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best in restoring your system's function!

Hey there! It sounds like you're dealing with quite a hassle with that power loss. Given that you can still access the PCM711 through HyperTerminal, I'd recommend checking the initial Modbus configuration settings first to ensure they didn't reset for some reason. If you can, try to retrieve any logs or error messages; they can provide insight into what's gone wrong. Since you mentioned using TERMF, make sure to confirm that the settings match the Bently Nevada racks exactly, as mismatches often lead to communication issues. If all else fails and you still have the .bas files saved, try to reload them to restore the configuration. Good luck!

Hey! It sounds like a frustrating situation, especially after a power loss. Since you're only seeing the executable files, it's possible that the Modbus configuration or parameters got reset during the outage. I'd recommend trying to use HyperTerminal to check if you can communicate with the PCM711 and see if its settings are still intact. If Termf is sufficient for what you need, you might be able to re-upload or edit configurations directly through that. If you have access to another PC with PCOP, that could really simplify the process. Good luck with it, and be sure to back everything up once you get it running again!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. What could be causing the communication issue with the GEFANUC 90-70 PLC and PCM711 module after a power loss?

Answer: - The communication issue could be due to corrupted or missing files in the PCM711 memory, such as the required Megabasic file for Modbus configuration.

FAQ: 2. What are the essential files needed to resolve the communication problem with the GEFANUC 90-70 PLC and PCM711 module?

Answer: - To address the communication issue, you would typically need the PCOP, TERMF, and a Megabasic file with a .bas suffix for Modbus configuration.

FAQ: 3. Is it possible to troubleshoot the communication problem without PCOP, using only TERMF and Hyperterm?

Answer: - Yes, it is possible to manage without PCOP by utilizing TERMF and Hyperterm for troubleshooting purposes. Hyperterm may also be a viable option for resolving the issue.

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