Reliable Control

[just_opinion]

Can you guy give me opinion on the Reliable Control ?
What language does it use to write program?

Etc..

Thanks

[justjohnson]

Controllers are robust - bacnet based only so if you like LON try something else.

Programming is easy - it is line based coding using CONTROL-BASIC - kind of like BASIC but with a Reliable flavor. It takes a bit of getting used to if you are more familiar with the connect the dots graphical based systems but far more flexible. What takes fifteen blocks and alot of drawing of lines I can do in a couple of lines of code.

RC-Studio is a good engineering tool. Programs are done in a spreadsheet format, inputs, outputs, variables, etc. and actual programs are broken down into sections that can be individually downloaded.

RC-Studio is NOT a good front end workstation. It's clunky for an end-user and to get to web-based (which all specs in my area are) you need a separate PC with separate software to do it.

All in all I like the line, especially now that they have a new device called the Smart Space Controller. A low cost communicating thermostat with I/O like the Viconics offering with one big exception - it's fully programmable, even the display.

[just_opinion]

RC-Studio is NOT a good front end workstation. It's clunky for an end-user and to get to web-based (which all specs in my area are) you need a separate PC with separate software to do it.
.

Can you elaborate this a little more. Thanks Justjohnson

[paulir]

Can you guy give me opinion on the Reliable Control ?
What language does it use to write program?

Etc..

Thanks

Hardware- Solid
Pricing - Based on sales
Protocols- RCP & Bacnet
Programming- Control Basic, easy, flexible, good function selections.
WEB UI-Front End- Still prefer Tridium on top (Softjace on PC or 60)

Close to release, built-in Web UI in MachProSys

My first job of close to 165 controllers experienced no bad components, and went very smooth realizing we have been doing all graphical programming for last 10 years, and this was the first Basic coded project. We had to re-load the VAV's three time, but only due to our learning curve, and us wanting more features, requiring additional global variables, etc.

Over all I give their hardware a 10 out of 10 score, and software a 8.

[xarralu]

All in all I like the line, especially now that they have a new device called the Smart Space Controller. A low cost communicating thermostat with I/O like the Viconics offering with one big exception - it's fully programmable, even the display.

Justjohnson- Do you need RC Studio to program the Smart Space Controller or is there pre-canned programs available? Thanks!

EDIT: Also, can you make/set schedules through the controller or do you have to do that through the OWS?

[refrige-nate]

where / how do i learn "BASIC" programming?

[hybridtheory]

I learned to write basic (QBASIC, that is) back in tech school in the late 90s. I'd be somewhat surprised if any local school or community college teaches it, but a Visual Basic class may help get you a general foundation on structured programming.

I get to deal with a couple of control lines that have "BASIC-like programming" and they each have their own "quirks". I'd suggest doing a VB class, and you'll be able to pick some steam up the rest of the way from there.

My .02 on Reliable:

1. Decent controllers and have gotten much better over the last few years. There was a point where we saw some high failure rates on their devices for no apparent reasons - but I have to say that their quality has come far in the last two years.

2. Programming software is pretty general. Sorta difficult to shoot yourself in the foot, but most of the logic is drive by their BASIC language. No real built-in blocks or objects that would save you from writing code.

3. I agree with many of the people here on RC-Studio. It works, but is very clunky, disjointed, and has too much Active X stuff in it for the web portion (nowhere near as elegant as ALC, Tridium, or even Auto-Matrix - given their solutions are purely web based and require a browser at the point).

I'd only use RC-Studio on sites that have a hard-spec requirement for BTL from top to bottom. We've had a few run ins with ALC and Alerton where we've lost because of a BTL-listed "Advanced Workstation".

[xarralu]

Can you make/set schedules through the Smart Space or Mach Stat controller or do you have to do that through the OWS?

[HJ Controls]

mach-stat has i think two weekly schedules and holiday schedule you can set. the weekly schedule you can set up to four on/off times per day.
you can also program day of year and time of day using variables and control basics.

There are schools from reliable and kmc but are in Canada. There could be a dealer who may have training locally. Also Reliable Controls have tuturials on website.

Reliable Controls will let you accomplish anything you desire.

It is kinda of clunky. But it is reliable.

Just noticed you are from Dallas. Call Enviromatic Systems they are in Grand Prairie.
They are the Dealer for DFW. Shoot me your email address and I will get you the info and who to talk to.

[D1G]

where / how do i learn "BASIC" programming?

VB tutorials (http://visualbasic.freetutes.com/)

Free MS "SDK" for VB and others (http://www.microsoft.com/express/Windows/)

Many links to tuts can be found here (http://www.programmingtutorials.com/).

[381engineer]

You can get Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition from Microsoft for free.

They have a lot of stuff for beginners.

Oops! I guess D1G already mentioned that.

Should have read his post fully.

[hybridtheory]

Close to release, built-in Web UI in MachProSys
.

Built-in Web UI? Boy my bosses keep me in the dark with all the happenings there (just a lowly tech :-\). Is the Web UI to configure programming on the ProSys or will it host graphics similar to RC WebView?

[justjohnson]

No one is really sure yet. We will find out when it is officially released in March.

[Maxt]

I have experienced a lot of hardware lockups with these controls on very basic equipment setups.

[davidxie]

Reliable Control is an simple control system. all UI input and the Triac out put can use for AO, it can convert to DO by add 12Vdc Relay. it support BACNet protocal. write program by text code and setup points by fill up points sheet.the front-end graphic can not handle too many points, not above 100 object other wise may have traffic issue.

[Knife Switch]

The head end software is a little clunky, and trending is not the systems strong point at all.

That said, Reliable is SIMPLE, and for that it can make your life quite easy at times. The language is similar to Siemens PPCL, but has alot more powerful commands. It's very easy to get a basic system up and going, and the simple way it's all broken down takes alot of the weight off the programming. If you embrace the full potential of its native BACnet, it also improves the average trending/scheduling side of the system.

In short, you can teach yourself to write programs using the help files, the software won't let you download a program if it has syntax errors. Here's an quick paste of a job (part of a quite complicated evap system)
10 REM #### EVAP-ENABLE-BASIC ####
20 IF SCHED1 THEN START EVC-2-09-SYSTEM-CALL ELSE STOP EVC-2-09-SYSTEM-CALL
30 IF EVC-2-09-SYSTEM-CALL THEN 90

40 REM #### SYSTEM-SHUT-DOWN ####
50 STOP EVC-2-09-TIME-START
60 STOP EVC-2-09-FAN-ENABLE : STOP EVC-2-09-VSD-CONT
70 STOP EVC-2-09-DAMPER : STOP EVC-2-09-LOUVER-ENABLE
80 END

90 REM #### EVAP-TIME-DELAY-FOR-DAMPER ####
100 START EVC-2-09-DAMPER : START EVC-2-09-LOUVER-ENABLE
110 START EVC-2-09-TIME-START
130 IF TIME-ON( EVC-2-09-TIME-START ) > EVC-2-09-FAN-DELAY THEN 150
140 END

150 REM #### EVAP-START-BASIC ####
160 START EVC-2-09-FAN-ENABLE
180 EVC-2-09-VSD-CONT = EVC-2-09-SPEED-SP
200 END