HAI OmniPro II outputs?

[schwartzwest]

Hi all-

I have been very impressed with the technical knowledge on this forum and I have a question I'm hoping can be answered here. This is my first post so be gentle

I need the outputs on my OmniPro II controller to close a circuit so another piece of equipment I have (a sophisticated HVAC DDC system) that sends out a 12v signal can detect either an "on" (circuit closed) or "off" (circuit open) condition. I know how to program the automation blocks in PC Access, but when I test the output I can not detect any change in state.

What should I look for and how should I test?

I am placing my multi-meter on the grnd and "1" or "2" (depending on which output I'm testing) and no matter what I change either output to, the voltage or resistance never changes? I change the output state by going to the Status/Control tab in PC Access nd changing the rlevat output status to either On or Off.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ano]

Hi all-

I have been very impressed with the technical knowledge on this forum and I have a question I'm hoping can be answered here. This is my first post so be gentle

I need the outputs on my OmniPro II controller to close a circuit so another piece of equipment I have (a sophisticated HVAC DDC system) that sends out a 12v signal can detect either an "on" (circuit closed) or "off" (circuit open) condition. I know how to program the automation blocks in PC Access, but when I test the output I can not detect any change in state.

What should I look for and how should I test?

I am placing my multi-meter on the grnd and "1" or "2" (depending on which output I'm testing) and no matter what I change either output to, the voltage or resistance never changes? I change the output state by going to the Status/Control tab in PC Access nd changing the rlevat output status to either On or Off.

Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome.

First, make sure the outputs that you want to use are programmed for "general purpose" They should be by default, but its good to check.

Next, I would highly recommend that you DON'T control external equipment with an output except for a LED or something simple like that. Instead, have the output control a relay, then have the relay control the equipment. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that the outputs can only control 100 ma, which isn't much. HAI sells a bank of 4 relays just for this purpose. Its almost always best to use a relay and not control anything directly with the output.

So remove everything from an output. Now connect your meter + to that terminal, and the - to the GRN terminal next to an output (NOT Earth Ground). Now, if you are reading 12V always, its probably because you meter is such a light load. What you can do is take a spare EOL resistor and connect that from the output to GRN, then measure it again. It should work. When you use an actual relay, you can remove the EOL resistor because that will present a strong enough load, and the relay clicking will tell you its working. I'm pretty sure the outputs are something called "open collector" which takes a bit of load to get it to go off.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[schwartzwest]

Hi all-

I have been very impressed with the technical knowledge on this forum and I have a question I'm hoping can be answered here. This is my first post so be gentle

I need the outputs on my OmniPro II controller to close a circuit so another piece of equipment I have (a sophisticated HVAC DDC system) that sends out a 12v signal can detect either an "on" (circuit closed) or "off" (circuit open) condition. I know how to program the automation blocks in PC Access, but when I test the output I can not detect any change in state.

What should I look for and how should I test?

I am placing my multi-meter on the grnd and "1" or "2" (depending on which output I'm testing) and no matter what I change either output to, the voltage or resistance never changes? I change the output state by going to the Status/Control tab in PC Access nd changing the rlevat output status to either On or Off.

Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome.

First, make sure the outputs that you want to use are programmed for "general purpose" They should be by default, but its good to check.

Next, I would highly recommend that you DON'T control external equipment with an output except for a LED or something simple like that. Instead, have the output control a relay, then have the relay control the equipment. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that the outputs can only control 100 ma, which isn't much. HAI sells a bank of 4 relays just for this purpose. Its almost always best to use a relay and not control anything directly with the output.

So remove everything from an output. Now connect your meter + to that terminal, and the - to the GRN terminal next to an output (NOT Earth Ground). Now, if you are reading 12V always, its probably because you meter is such a light load. What you can do is take a spare EOL resistor and connect that from the output to GRN, then measure it again. It should work. When you use an actual relay, you can remove the EOL resistor because that will present a strong enough load, and the relay clicking will tell you its working. I'm pretty sure the outputs are something called "open collector" which takes a bit of load to get it to go off.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Thanks-

I was thinking I might need a relay (or one of the HAI relay modules), i just wanted to see if i could check the outputs for functionality before my relays arrive. I understand the outputs are programmable, but how? I can't find any references on how to program the output mode.

 

[Chassmain]

I've got an OmniPro II myself, but really like the build quality and versatility of the Elk relays more.

You can check out their whole assortment at: http://www.elkproducts.com/relays_timers_a...le_modules.html

The ones I use are the Elk-912B that, come as single units or in a prescored breakoff pack of six.

 

[ano]

To program the HAI Outputs check out the Installation Guide. Look for "Outputs" You'll see it in the very beginning of the guide.

On the relays, I have nothing against ELK, they make good products, but the advantage of the HAI ones is that they make a board with 4 or 8 of them that fits inside the enclosure. If you need one or two, the ELK ones are great, but if you need 4 or 8, the HAI ones are just easier. I think HAI should have built these into the board, but they didn't.

 

[Vycor]

Have you thought of using the alarm inputs? I have a few systems in my office..

Basically we have our phone system, which has an intercom. You press the button, it rings the phones, then we hit OPEN on the phone, it opens the door. Basically that closes a circuit on the phone system which is wired into our access controls "request to exit" area.It detects the closed circuit, unlocks the door... we also have a mag lock with our front door so we have a motion detector (well its a request to exit detector not a standard motion) that senses motion and unlocks the door (opens the circuit basically to release power)... so to tie this into HAI i did this:

I wired the "motion detector" in so that when motion is detected it opens my circuit... HAI sees the alarm going into NOT READY mode and then it tells the output to CLOSE. Then output closes my circuit, which tells the access panel to open the circuit... confused? LOL basically Motion CLOSES my circuit, then HAI CLOSES It again on a different output then access OPENS the circuit..

but you get the idea, where you can use something like that to do things... u mentioned how your system puts out voltage when its on, you could use a relay or something to trip the alarm inputs so that in turn trips the OUTPUTS... think of it as an ALARM... if the input is in READY then the circuit is closed/open depending on how its wired up.... if its NOT READY then your device must be on or vice versa... follow me? it might not make sense but maybe your following me

 

[schwartzwest]

To program the HAI Outputs check out the Installation Guide. Look for "Outputs" You'll see it in the very beginning of the guide.

I see them referred to on page 16, but I don't see any programming information. (Unless I am just misunderstanding, and the outputs always behave the same way, the manual is just referring to how they can be used...?)
How do I check to see if they are programmed for general purpose?

I just received the HAI 8 relay module, so I will be hooking that up to get things rolling, but any additional help will be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[ano]

To program the HAI Outputs check out the Installation Guide. Look for "Outputs" You'll see it in the very beginning of the guide.

I see them referred to on page 16, but I don't see any programming information. (Unless I am just misunderstanding, and the outputs always behave the same way, the manual is just referring to how they can be used...?)
How do I check to see if they are programmed for general purpose?

I just received the HAI 8 relay module, so I will be hooking that up to get things rolling, but any additional help will be appreciated. Thanks again!

At around page 35 of the Installation guide you should see OUTPUT TYPES in the INSTALLER SETUP section. Its a bit complex because the outputs can be programmed differently for each area, but for ALL areas, its 0 when set to GENERAL PURPOSE. If you are just programming the panel with the keypad, go to the INSTALLER SETUP section, scroll until you see OUTPUT 1 TYPE and set that to 0, then do the same for 2 - 7 if that is what you want. In PCAccess (Dealer Version) its a bit easier, if you have that. They should be GENERAL PURPOSE by default, so that might not be your problem. In any case, the 8 relay module is the best way to go.

 

[smresh]

Hi, I have been installing Omni IIe similar to Omni pro II. I have confusion and problems regarding the output pins of the Omni IIe panel. I have conected relay of rating 12VDC/240VAC in OUTPUT 1 type. Through this connection i am going to control my Nuvo socket to play songs from my I pod which I've programmed to relay on for different buttons through Pc access. I've set OUTPUT TYPES in the INSTALLER SETUP as GENERAL PURPOSE. But very sadly to say when i measured the voltage from out put 1, there was 0 voltage. so, i am unable to control my relay and hence unable to control my Nuvo socket. I very kindly request you to solve my problem and please specify where i have made possible mistake.I would very very grateful to you.

 

[Armagedon]

Just one remark about HAI relay modules. This is ture that they are the best in fittin point of view in the HAI cabinet. The relay output connectors are also protected against overvoltage, but the design is for US voltage, 120V. If you want to use the HAI relay modules (at least those what US Internet shops are selling) in Europe, with 230V voltage, then you need to solder out the protection elements (varistors) from the relay board - otherwise it will end with smoke .