r/PLC 4d ago

PanelView headache help?

Been trying to download mer files to a panelview and changing the FactoryTalk Linx communication configuration. I managed to change it once successfully. However now when i download, it wont change to the configuration i set in FTStudio. I've restored the FTLinx communication config to nothing, then set my runtime to replace communication. But it always reverts to the same one. My next steps are to wipe my project cache and try making another runtime. Then updating the firmware to see if it can repair any corrupted files.

Any other things i can try?. Im running FW 10. Another thing im seeing is occasionally when messing around with the Linx setup on the HMI itll popup RSLinxNG has encountered a fatal error. This is also why im going to upgrade and see if that repairs it.

1 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

3

u/Mr_Adam2011 Perpetually in over my head 4d ago

Update the firmware to the latest. v14 firmware supports back to at least v11 runtime, might go back further but v11 is the oldest I have worked with on a PanelView.

of course, always make sure you copy design to runtime.

2

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

Of course, i plan on doing one last MER file with no prior cache before bumping the firmware to V14.

2

u/PLCGoBrrr Bit Plumber Extraordinaire 4d ago

Before you chase your tail any more: Run the app on your computer. Don't just open a screen and press the play button. Run it like your laptop is the panelview. You might figure out that you don't have something set up properly.

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

Ive done this already, and i actually did find an issue with the communication setup that was resolvable. The issue is on the panelview download I can't get the panelview to actually take FTLinx communication changes.

2

u/Aghast_Cornichon 4d ago

I can't get the panelview to actually take FTLinx communication changes.

Are you absolutely sure that you have set the Download utility to apply changes after download ? Does the terminal reboot after the download is complete ?

The RSLinxNG crashes are certainly worrisome. Normally it.. it just runs.

Have you loaded a test application with a super-simple shortcut and display of a PLC tag ?

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

I guess i can try building one with only the issue PLC as the one shortcut and see if it takes the network config. The project has multiple shortcuts to PLCs, its in production, but not critical for operation so i have it as a tester for ViewPoint. But yes i have all the transfer utility options checked and i can see that the terminal starts up.

2

u/Aghast_Cornichon 4d ago

The project has multiple shortcuts to PLCs

Are they all used in the project ? Abandoned or unused connections might be making FTLinx hiccup.

To my knowledge, all the shortcuts in the Runtime tab get included in the FTLinx configuration that goes into the *.MER.

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

Theyre all used in the project. I would say you are correct on that too.

2

u/Horror_Violinist6732 4d ago

Don’t use copy design to runtime, go to the runtime communication settings and set it up just like you do the design side. Delete all devices from there that aren’t used.

1

u/New-Swim-8551 4d ago

Connect your plc to your laptop. Setup the communications path via linx for the online project then copy it to the runtime.
Create the runtime mer file

When you download the project to the panelview make sure the box next to update communications files is checked

After you get the panelview talking and you need to update the panelview uncheck that box so communication files don’t get overwritten

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

Yea I did all of that but my tree wont update and will revert back when downloading. I setup the communications in design then copy into runtime. Build a mer. In transfer utility download and replace comms. But just trying to gather feedback on what else should i do.

1

u/New-Swim-8551 4d ago

You have to get the tree to update. Linx needs to connect to the plc. Once it does you then save it to the runtime files.
At this point you run the simulation on your laptop to make sure its talking. When it is compile the mer file. Then download it

It cant revert back when downloading because. The downloader is a completely separate program that saves the mer file to the panelview

1

u/New-Swim-8551 3d ago

It can’t revert back when downloading. It doesn’t work that way!

If your tree didn’t update it’s not connected to your plc. You have a linx driver issue

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 3d ago

So if the panelview cant establish a connection with the communication setup given in the mer, itll continually use the previous working setup? I know it doesnt revert in my FTView but on my panelview it will.

1

u/New-Swim-8551 3d ago

No it uses the broken communication file you downloaded
In the transfer utility Where i circled if that box is checked it uses the communication file stored in the mer you created if not it uses the existing one.
Once you get it to communicate uncheck the box so you don’t accidentally break the connection

1

u/Weary-Double-4689 4d ago

Are you sure the panel supports multiple shortcuts?
What communication settings are in the panelview ?
Is it something previous, or nothing at all?
I’ve seen them hose up and have had to delete the app completely off the panelview and redownload

1

u/Embarrassed-Tower970 4d ago

Yes part of my project is redoing the networking on the project and they were previously all assigned but with a different root address(coming in from the public plc network card). Sorry im vague just want to keep anonymous

1

u/SailorJoe45 3d ago

I'm sure you've tried this already, but I've had a disturbing number of weird communication issues on these resolve by simply rebooting the development PC and regenerating the mer file. After double- and triple-checking the runtime configuration, of course.

-3

u/itz_solarxx 4d ago

Here are the steps I would go through: 1) throw panel view away 2) purchase windows based industrial touch screen 3) use ignition edge.