BACnet scheduling with GUI interface

[xarralu]

I've looked around in past threads and on-line for something that has a somewhat easy GUI interface to set schedules in one BACnet device. I found this (http://www.scadaengine.com/tutorial/time_schedule_tutorial.html), but I am looking for something that is GUI based, and free/cheap?

What about a device that can set schedules. Ive looked around at Viconics and the like, but its a little too powerfull.

Anyone know of something like this exists? Thanks in advance.

[BACnet]

Are you trying to commission a device or is this something to use daily to modify the schedule? If free is your biggest concern and not simplicity or ease of use, you could always download VTS.

[xarralu]

Are you trying to commission a device or is this something to use daily to modify the schedule? If free is your biggest concern and not simplicity or ease of use, you could always download VTS.

Thanks for the reply BACnet. It would actually be for the end-user. If its around $100 per copy that would be ok. Did you have something else in mind that you know of?

[BACnet]

I'm sorry to say that I think you will have a problem meeting your price-point. You have a number of options though, depending on what's installed.

Schedule data should be fairly easily modified via a web-interface on the front-end. Is there no front end on the system?

Is the device MS/TP or Ethernet/IP? If MS/TP, is there a router? Is the controller an ALC? (And if so, is it ARCnet?)

What I'm trying to figure out is if you'd be better off with a modern front-end, a wall-mounted touchscreen, a companion device from the manufacturer or a piece of software that can access the device and/or router.

[xarralu]

I'm sorry to say that I think you will have a problem meeting your price-point. You have a number of options though, depending on what's installed.

Schedule data should be fairly easily modified via a web-interface on the front-end. Is there no front end on the system?

Is the device MS/TP or Ethernet/IP? If MS/TP, is there a router? Is the controller an ALC? (And if so, is it ARCnet?)

What I'm trying to figure out is if you'd be better off with a modern front-end, a wall-mounted touchscreen, a companion device from the manufacturer or a piece of software that can access the device and/or router.

Yea the $100 was me dreaming! Yes it ALC more specifically its a ZN module.

The scenario is its one module that is in a building by itself. No Internet connection or OWS (WebCTRL). Its a unit that runs 24/7 but now they would like to just be able to set a schedule periodically. Problem is that WebCTRL and a LGR is out of their price range. Also thought of doing a simple external time clock but all inputs are full. I could break the jumper for the 24v bus but the way its configured this would not work.


What kind of touch screen do you have in mind?

[BACnet]

There are some threads here that talk about touchscreens, a simple search should bring several up.

In general though, the Loytec L-VIS can be used if you want to go IP. The BBC-SD can be used if you want to go directly on MS/TP.

The bad news is that I know of no touchscreens that go directly on ARCnet. So if your ZN is ARC156, you're going to need a gateway or router to use a touchscreen.

[xarralu]

There are some threads here that talk about touchscreens, a simple search should bring several up.

In general though, the Loytec L-VIS can be used if you want to go IP. The BBC-SD can be used if you want to go directly on MS/TP.

The bad news is that I know of no touchscreens that go directly on ARCnet. So if your ZN is ARC156, you're going to need a gateway or router to use a touchscreen.

Thanks for the info!

[381engineer]

Originally Posted by BACnet
There are some threads here that talk about touchscreens, a simple search should bring several up.

In general though, the Loytec L-VIS can be used if you want to go IP. The BBC-SD can be used if you want to go directly on MS/TP.

The bad news is that I know of no touchscreens that go directly on ARCnet. So if your ZN is ARC156, you're going to need a gateway or router to use a touchscreen.


Loytec LVIS is either MSTP or IP.

You might be able to consider the bacnet LINX also.

[xarralu]

At this point another device might be a better solution. Is there a device that is stand alone, you can locally schedule and has 3 AO's 2 DO's and 5 AI's? It does not have to be a touch screen just be able to have one stat that you can adjust temp and local override.:anyone:

[BACnet]

381engineer- Thanks for the correction/addition. :-)

xarralu- I'm guessing that just about every mfg has something that would fit your needs if you have decided to replace the controller.

It might be worth it to start a new thread if you want more people to provide answers.

[xarralu]

381engineer- Thanks for the correction/addition. :-)

xarralu- I'm guessing that just about every mfg has something that would fit your needs if you have decided to replace the controller.

It might be worth it to start a new thread if you want more people to provide answers.

Maybe except for ALC it seems. I'll let this thread mature a little bit and dig a little more when I can get back infront of a pc. Thanks everyone for the info thus far!

[D1G]

You can simply swap a jumper and make the ZN controller MS/TP. It's ARCNET over RS485 so even the wiring (if it's there) can be reused.

You'll have to swap the ARC156 jumper to MS/TP, set the baud rate jumpers and reboot the module but it's not difficult.

R/ D1G

[xarralu]

You can simply swap a jumper and make the ZN controller MS/TP. It's ARCNET over RS485 so even the wiring (if it's there) can be reused.

You'll have to swap the ARC156 jumper to MS/TP, set the baud rate jumpers and reboot the module but it's not difficult.

R/ D1G

Thats true-all in all i am looking around to find a small GUI based BACnet scheduling program. Something that a end-user could navigate and not have to have a full blow control system (yet!) I figured in setting the module to MS/TP, use a USB to RS-485 to connect to it with, and something to make a schedule with.

[amigo]

I would get a small webserver with scheduling capability, and have it schedule the trigger point(s) inside your controller.
Then you have the option of adding onto the system if you wanted in the future with more controllers, etc.
Some companies have evaluation programs for their products so you may be able to get price breaks on initial purchases.

[kontrolphreak]

Just found this (http://www.scadaengine.com/tutorial/time_schedule_tutorial.html) on SCADA Engines site.
Haven't had a chance to test it, hopefully over the weekend.

kontrol out

[xarralu]

Yea, that is the same one that I had in my first post. I never did try it out either. After reading the cut sheet it looks like it would be a 50/50 shot if it worked.

The guy that was getting us in the building ended up leaving that company and the new one had their favorite kind of controls, so this kinda got forgotten about.

Let us kow if it's any good!

[kontrolphreak]

LOL,

I guess I'm a couple of years late. Was going down the google list and this thread was one. Didn't see your link in the first post.
The Inneasoft BACnet application had a nice schedule GUI but it's only in the licensed version. It's not priced outrageously, add an BASRT-P from Contemporary Controls and you could walk up to a BACnet/MSTP controller and discover the objects then edit the schedule. The SCADA interface looks a little cumbersome, but hey it's free.

kontrol out