Thread relocated to the "Controls" section.
Our company has been asked to take on more responsibility with some of our commerical customers. We have handled their commerical kitchens and HVAC equip but another company handles the controls. Now we are going to do everything. I am going to Alerton training in a couple months and want to get up to speed as much as I can so the learning curve isnt as steep. I am computer literate but have very little networking experience. I have heard that having a Microsoft Certified Engineering background is helpful. I am solid on HVAC electrical and operation but what about the computer part? How much do I need, what should I study, and where do I find it?
Thanks pros
ps about how long does it take to get your head wrapped around controls?
hotandcoldair
Thread relocated to the "Controls" section.
just go to the class and paY ATTENTION. Other than that hands on is the best way.
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I am going to start networking everthing in my house - computer, microwave...my wife doesn't seem to have the same exitement that I do
Try http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/free...-videos/page/2 for a good start on networking fundamentals. Good luck, try not to overload.
I worked in the retail telecom industry for almost 12 years.
although I have not yet worked in hvac controls, I keep my eyes and ears open very wide!
they will teach you all the proprietary info needed to learn their HVAC networking and controls, However from past experiences, I can tell you that connecting to that equipment is sometimes a task in itself!
So I suggest that you pay very close attention to how to hook up your laptop to each different piece of equipment involved and make sure you always, always have the right cable connections to connect to it!
For example, null modem db-9 to db-9 or db-9 to db-25, or USB-serial, or ethernet, or rs-232, or rs-485, etc, etc!!
After awhile you will have quite a collection specialty cables...Guard them with your life and have backups!! beccause you can master the software but if you can't connect to it, then your sunk!!
I myself have been trying to break into the control industry, and I am relying on my extensive telecom and basic HVAC experiences to provide a basis for this move but have been unsuccessful so far...good luck and have fun!!
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
P.S.
Looking back, the last company I worked for issued us all laptops that didn't have db-9 serial ports....they only had 2 usb ports and that was it!
So we all had to go out and buy (at first) ourselves special USB to serial adapters, then we had to figure out how to use them. It became a chore at times because plugging in and unplugging etc.. would sometimes mess up the computer's USB driver/port designation system and the ports would go dead or something stupid like that!
So after awhile, after making all the right mistakes, I became quite adept at keeping my laptop working...very similar to maintaining your reclaimer units or vacuum pumps.
A field laptop is your biggest and most expensive, and some cases, most complicated tool! learn it and master it, everything else is gravy!!!
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
P.S.S.
Nice catch tangogreen...that comptia website is sweet! I am going to refresh myself and hopefully learn a few new things...thanks!!
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Thanks tangogreen and J-thetechwizard. I appreciate your words of advice.
hotandcoldair