Connecting two WC via X10

[Efried]

Hello,
I have to decide between at least two solutions for home automation in the HVAC-sector. The WC I had tested in the BRE version in te past was ok, I think the new PLC versions also do consume less power. But my question is about connecticity:

• Is it possible to read values from another WC?
• And is it possible to set variables at a second remote WC influencing the PLC?

All of course using the X10- link.

many thanks

PS: the alternative I see is a Wixel, but may be also some ARM Cortex-M3 solution..

 

[CAI_Support]

Hi Efriend,
Currently, WebControl has no way to login into another board and pasrsing its output. It will require not only parsing the state from the other board, the local board must have space and memory to store the remote board status.

However, if you are using something like Lars' logger, it probably can from logger software to send control to 2nd WC board.

You can definitely set VAR remotely to change the behavior of the PLC.

Please let us know if this answers your quesiton.

 

[Efried]

Many thanks, this answers my question. May be WC32 will have some parsing option preferably XML.

 

[CAI_Support]

Efried,
 
Our latest 3.02.17d firmware allows set from one board to another's VAR. You could use that WEBSET feature to set another board's VAR, then in your PLC code to read that VAR and set ALLOUTS.

 

[Efried]

Efried,
 
Our latest 3.02.17d firmware allows set from one board to another's VAR. You could use that WEBSET feature to set another board's VAR, then in your PLC code to read that VAR and set ALLOUTS.

But still there is no way to GET  Temperatures et. al. from other WC?

 

[rossw]

But still there is no way to GET  Temperatures et. al. from other WC?

 
yes, you can use webset to retrieve temperature or input from another webcontrol board.
OR you can use one webcontrol board to PUSH conditions to another webcontrol board.
 
Use whatever makes logical sense in your application. I use both for different purposes. Each work, each have their own benefits.

 

[CAI_Support]

But still there is no way to GET  Temperatures et. al. from other WC?

You will not be able to use another board's temp sensor reading to replace your local temp sensor reading, if that is what you mean. However, you can have remote board temp sensor reading stored in the local variable and use that in your PLC code.  You will first use webset feature to send that value from one board to the other.  Then you can reference that value  in your PLC anyway you like.

 

[Efried]

You will not be able to use another board's temp sensor reading to replace your local temp sensor reading, if that is what you mean. However, you can have remote board temp sensor reading stored in the local variable and use that in your PLC code.  You will first use webset feature to send that value from one board to the other.  Then you can reference that value  in your PLC anyway you like.

 Thanks a lot, yes that is possible. My next hurdle is to introduce bit shifting instead of using  variables, I'm running out of.

 

[CAI_Support]

Shifting PLC commands are already in the firmware for sometimes:  ROTL and ROTR.  Please check the user guide to see if your version firmware support that.

 

[Efried]

Efried,
 
Our latest 3.02.17d firmware allows set from one board to another's VAR. You could use that WEBSET feature to set another board's VAR, then in your PLC code to read that VAR and set ALLOUTS.

Is there an example for that (setting VARx at another board with say Tx)?
The manual has some lacking info about the WEBHHTTP GET data necessary.
Also is it not true that only boards having PLC disabled may receive such data?
thanks

 

[CAI_Support]

Just call
WEBSET URL1 T1
will send T1 temperature to the location you defined in URL1.
If your URL1 has the URI configured as
/api/setvar.cgi?varid=1&value=
 
Then when this WEBSET is executed, the target board VAR1 will have the value of this T1.

 

[Efried]

Just call
WEBSET URL1 T1
will send T1 temperature to the location you defined in URL1.
If your URL1 has the URI configured as
/api/setvar.cgi?varid=1&value=
 
Then when this WEBSET is executed, the target board VAR1 will have the value of this T1.

 
Thanks a lot! Just adding authentication worked.