Aprilaire 8825 Errors

davegrov

I'm in the process of completing a conversion of my Aprilaire Viewstats from ICSNet to the IP based 8825. The physical install was pretty easy, but had to remember to reprogram from one to three 8870's in the system. My problem is in the AMX Duet Module. I am getting this errors in diagnostics. Is this the correct way to define the device? Or does it need to be 0:5:2 for system 2?

dvViewStat = 0:5:0 //ViewStat on IP

Can anyone help?

Line 774 :: SocketConnection.createSocket : IO exception - 16:26:46
Line 775 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: Connection failed! - 16:26:46
Line 776 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: IPConnect() connecting... - 16:26:46
Line 777 :: createSocket() 192.168.1.202,10001 - 16:26:51
Line 778 :: SocketConnection.createSocket : IO exception - 16:26:51
Line 779 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: Connection failed! - 16:26:51
Line 780 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: IPConnect() connecting... - 16:26:51
Line 781 :: createSocket() 192.168.1.202,10001 - 16:26:56
Line 782 :: SocketConnection.createSocket : IO exception - 16:26:56
Line 783 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: Connection failed! - 16:26:56
Line 784 :: com.amx.duet.impl.aprilaire._8825.dr1_0_0.AprilAire8825: IPConnect() connecting... - 16:26:56

vining

Are you using the brick in passthru mode? I never used one but out of curiosity I did some reading on it and it appears to be just a IP to RS422 converter at least in the application the Duet module requires you to use it. If you weren't connecting it to Netlinx you could access the t-stats through the built in web server from any PC but in order to use it AMX the device (brick) should be set to "passthru" which I can only assume takes the web server out of the loop and allows connection like a standard IP-422 converter. Which is great if your out of serial ports or don't have spare wires where needed to connect straight 422.

There's been previous post on ICSNET vs RS422 in regard to viewstats and I guess the consensius was ICSNET for large systems 20 + stats because its faster or something but its not like these stats have much to says so collisons would be rare and inconsequential.

I like the 422 but never did anything that large with it. By using the IP comms to connect your still essentially running all coms on a 422 bus so unless you are out of ports or have wiring issues you won't be gaining anything, actually you're just adding another piece of equipment that can create problems.

I may be completely wrong in all regards (I often am) but it seems to me if you have the port and the wires available don't use the brick.

davegrov

Aprilaire 8825

Thanks for your reply. There are no DIP switches or configuration parameters in the the Aprilaire block or on the embedded Web Server. One of the things that cuaght my interest in the conversion was the ability to program (within the web server) the ability to changes the temperature set points on a schedule. This method saves considerable time and $$ from a programming standpoint. This was something that AMX had in Landmark that is a big customer request.

vining

IP Communications

In order to communicate with the ViewStat through TCP/IP you must use the HomeLogic brick. An RJ45 to DB9 cable is provided by HomeLogic. For more info visit www.homelogic.com. The brick must be set in ?passthru? mode in order for the module to be able to successfully communicate.

(I beleive HomeLogic is the OEM)

This quote was taken from the AMXViewstat .doc in the Duet module. Now what exactly this means is anyones guess but it would imply that there is either a dip switch or a setting that is change able through the web server. Maybe it's buried somewhere you haven't found yet. I don't think it would be possible to do both tasks, used via web server and com link to netlinxs at the same time unless "passthru" is appended to the string or something.

I would agree that the modules should include a scheduling feature but maybe they expect you to use !Schedule or just create your own with a simple GUI and a little code. IMHO having clients use a PC to make changes to programs or device controlled by AMX defeats the pupose of AMX in the first place. A users point of command, control and interaction with connected devices. If they want to access the system via PC have them VNC a TP for control thereby re-empahsizing the role of AMX not dimishing it.

I am curious so if you finds the answer please post it!

DHawthorne

There is a standalone program used to connect to the brick and put it in passthru mode. Someone from AMX was going to e-mail me a copy, but it never got through. I imagine you can get the config program form Homelogic. Passthru mode, however, disables the browser interface, making it nothing more than an Ethernet to RS-485 converter.

vining

DHawthorne wrote:
making it nothing more than an Ethernet to RS-485 converter.

That confirms what I surmised is this previous post.

Are you using the brick in passthru mode? I never used one but out of curiosity I did some reading on it and it appears to be just a IP to RS422 converter at least in the application the Duet module requires you to use it. If you weren't connecting it to Netlinx you could access the t-stats through the built in web server from any PC but in order to use it AMX the device (brick) should be set to "passthru" which I can only assume takes the web server out of the loop and allows connection like a standard IP-422 converter. Which is great if your out of serial ports or don't have spare wires where needed to connect straight 422.

Of course $800.00 for and IP to RS-485 converter is very expensive. I just bought an 8 port serial server made by ATOP that does RS-232/422/485, rack mountable w/ front panel LCD set up display for $600.00 and single ports converters can be had for $100.00.

Dave, if you still need a scheduler module (non Duet) you're more than welcome to try mine.

DHawthorne

vining wrote:

Dave, if you still need a scheduler module (non Duet) you're more than welcome to try mine.

Thanks, I'll show it to my boss and see if he likes it. The attachment still active? I know I downloaded it once to take a look at, but I lost my hard drive, and my downloads folder wasn't on the backup.