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  #1  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:17 PM
I miss my MBZ
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
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PLC in an MB

Anybody here knowlegable about PLC's ? - Programmable logic controllers ?

I am taking a class on them right now, and the textbook (as old as it is..) mentions that you can get a basic PLC with 4in/4out for $167 (at automationdirect.com...I'm still looking.

I am learning more and more about how the things work (we are getting into timers and counters soon, analog inputs are at the end of the quarter, not sure what next quarter has in mind...

Point is, I am digging the idea of putting one of these in my 240D- not sure what I'd do- If I had a 300D I'd put all the windows and sunroof (and radio amp...) on a set of pushbuttons. The 300D ClimateControl monstrosity is pretty much a PLC already, but maybe my 240D's manual system could be adapted...

I know that most of the stuff I've mentioned already can be done with switches and relays, and most people buy 240D's to get away from computers...but I dont know..I dont have a home that I could automate with a PLC, so my car is next =)

Any thoughts ? Anyone else work with PLC's and can get me an old simple one to play with ? Oh, and while I'm at it, anyone work in a place with PLC's and looking for a PLC-knowledgeable guy (BS in june...) to hire on as an engineer =) =) =)

-John

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  #2  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:19 PM
I miss my MBZ
 
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Oh, one other thing I've always wanted to do- install a solenoid to the throttle linkage (!) that opens it only enough to combat the AC compressor draw at idle.
-John
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  #3  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:24 PM
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You already know what people's thoughts are going to be about this... as the owner of a 240 manual trans with manual climate control the main thing that comes to mind is that you need to sell your 240 to someone still sane.... They are the cat's meow for simple cars and much desired.... it will be an easy and quick sale....
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  #4  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:34 PM
I miss my MBZ
 
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so, I guess I should get an S-class and apply my "mad PLC skillz" to it =)

If I could easily get an SD with a stick shift, I'd try to trade someone...

I understand the mindsiet, but there are lots of engineers on here, and other guys who like to tinker...

Any other small, electrically switchable ideas that you might apply to a car (like an old MB) ?
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  #5  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:41 PM
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Everybody that is on this forum, breathing, for the most part, would love to get rid of our stinkin ACC and have manual controls. Manual tranny, manual windows, manual sunroof (at least I have that one), where art thow....
Take a deep breath, listen to us old guys, and leave your PLC's for your career.
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  #6  
Old 02-02-2005, 07:46 PM
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"Any other small, electrically switchable ideas that you might apply to a car "

NOW YOU ARE TALKING !

Many people on this forum change things like wheels and tires or transmissions or rear end ratios.... how about an adjustable electrical device which will allow them to calibrate their speed accurately ?

I know there are some other things in the classification and I will post them when I remember them....
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  #7  
Old 02-02-2005, 08:49 PM
Newbie Benz Dood
 
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now this is my kind of topic!
I use/install PLCs all day long at work. I dont have any kind of formal PLC training but I'm considerably well versed in Micrologix 1000/1200/1500. I use RSLogix 500 to program them. Trust me, I've thought of a million different ways to implement PLCs in vehicles. I've always wanted to build a remote starter with preset times using an EZ-Text panel from automationdirect.com we use there HMIs on every machine we build at work and the programming software and everything is very straight forward. anyway, the automated starter would allow you to select times / dates you want your vehicle to start. What does a typical PLC programmer make in terms of wages? Are you researching this as a trade?
Just curious...
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  #8  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:09 PM
Newbie Benz Dood
 
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depending on how crazy you want to get with I/O, one of these should work. Keep in mind that you will need one that is DC powered unless you plan to install a power inverter to power an AC controller. Most have relay outputs..anyway $105 for a 8 in / 6DC out....not bad
I've heard that the programming software for the automationdirect PLCs is quite cumbersome.
I did some big research on these PLCs because we were looking for ways to save money at work. The DL06 is a pretty powerful PLC and the expansion modules are dirt cheap!
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  #9  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:18 PM
I miss my MBZ
 
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I wish I could quote you payscales- I have 6y navy operating reactors (electronic technician) and will soon have a BS in "Mechanical Engineering technology"-
supposedly- last year the graduates from my program made between 28k and 65k(!) a year starting- except I know the guy who made 65k, he worked and knew some people and his sh** didnt stink so GE accepted him into their 'fast track to engineering management' program. My buddy w/ similar navy exp but no college is making $30k in BFE ohio... I'm not sure I want a career in PLC's, but to a 'soon to be college graduate', any job offer has appeal...

(we use RSlogix in our classes, simulating an AB SLC500)

Oh, is this disel discussion, sorry =)

I saw a guy who did a tachometer for his diesel jetta a while back, that sounded kinda cool but not cutting a hole in his timing belt cover.
My 240D (has EGR) does have an RPM pickup on the crank, I've just never compared its output to the output of the 300D tach input, if they were the same/similar (different wires/connector, but thats easy enough to fix...) then I could install a factory tach on my 240D, I'd miss being able to easily count minutes on my clock though =)

-John
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  #10  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:28 PM
Newbie Benz Dood
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
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you could do the same thing with a simple hall effect switch...put a magnet on your crank pulley and build a bracket to house the hall effect switch. when the crank rotates it will provide an input to a plc where you can scale the value to get what you are looking for. You could then display it on a ez-text panel or something....just some ideas
FYI - I'm just curious as to what a PLC guy makes...I dont make much and I'm only 22 (Just turned 22 last month) I've been working where I work for about 3 years. I started as a machine operator and have made my way up thru the company. I dont make much money (23k last year) I was just curious what a typical PLC programmer makes. I've been in the trade for about 2 years now. Enjoying it very much!
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  #11  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:30 PM
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Ok guys, Lots of us have " jumpy" fuel guages... Can you make a sender and indicator which are frictionless with regards to the sensing mechanism and reliable ? It should have a way to give an audible alarm when it gets to reserve level.
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  #12  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:39 PM
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Its on the WVO side of things, but a handy automation would be a PLC that monitors the WVO tank's temperature and automatically switches the fuel solenoid when it hits the target temperature, monitors both the WVO and the diesel tank's fuel levels, and automatically switches the solenoid back to diesel and keeps the engine running for a short period after the key is turned off, to purge the lines of WVO for the next startup.

I've seen several homebrew implementations of this, none of which have worked all that well (but not to say they couldn't work well).

peace,
sam
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  #13  
Old 02-02-2005, 09:45 PM
Newbie Benz Dood
 
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very intresting ideas guys!
I've often thought about the WVO tank temp thing...you could use a thermocouple module to monitor the temp of the WVO...also control the heaters that heat the oil. All fun stuff!!

Sam, PM me if you are intrested in having someone help you lay out such a system. I did something very similar with a machine at work..the only way a certain component would install is if we heated up the driver that installs it....put a thermocouple on the driver and used ladder logic and operator defined temperatures (within limits of course!) to control how hot the driver got.
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  #14  
Old 02-02-2005, 10:39 PM
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For those in the dark at this point... try this:

http://www.plcs.net/contents.shtml
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  #15  
Old 02-02-2005, 10:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyL
Everybody that is on this forum, breathing, for the most part, would love to get rid of our stinkin ACC and have manual controls. Manual tranny, manual windows, manual sunroof (at least I have that one), where art thow....
Take a deep breath, listen to us old guys, and leave your PLC's for your career.

You SAID it. I am an electronic engineer - almost 20 years designing embedded microprocessor solutions. I drive a 300D for technology relief! It's diesel-therapy man!!!

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