Chapter 2. Troubleshooting
65
Troubleshooting Serial Communication Problems
General Notes
• Power up your computer or terminal BEFORE you power up the APEX615n.
• Make sure the serial interface is connected as instructed on page 25. Shield the cable to earth
ground at one end only. Check to make sure you are using Iso GND as your reference, not
GND. The maximum RS-232 cable length is 50 feet (15.25 meters).
• RS-232: Handshaking must be disabled. Most software packages allow you to do this.
You can also disable handshaking by jumpering some terminals on the computer's/
terminal's serial port: connect RTS to CTS (usually pins 4 and 5) and connect DSR to
DTR (usually pins 6 and 20).
• RS-485: Make sure internal DIP switches and jumpers are configured as shown on pg. 10.
Test the Interface 1. Power up the computer or terminal and launch the terminal emulator.
2. Power up the APEX615n. A power-up message (similar to the following) should be
displayed, followed by a prompt (>):
∗PARKER COMPUMOTOR 615n SERVO CONTROLLER
∗RP240 CONNECTED
>
3. Type “TREV” and press ENTER key. (The TREV command reports software revision.)
The screen should now look as follows (if not, see Problem/Remedy table below).
∗PARKER COMPUMOTOR 6151 SERVO CONTROLLER
∗RP240 CONNECTED
>TREV
∗TREV92-014016-01-4.1 6151
Problem Remedy (based on the possible causes)
No Response • COM port not enabled for 6000 language communication.
If RS-232 connected to COM 1: issue “PORT1” and “DRPCHKØ” commands.
If RS-232 connected to COM 2: issue “PORT2” and “DRPCHKØ” commands.
If RS-485 connected to COM 2: issue “PORT2” and “DRPCHKØ” commands.
• RS-232: Echo may be disabled; enable with the ECHO1 command.
• If using an RS-232 connection between the host computer and master APEX615n
connected to multiple APEX615ns in an RS-485 multi-drop, make sure the master
has these settings in the order given (place these settings in STARTP program):
PORT1 (select RS-232 port, COM1, for configuration)
ECHO3 (echo to both COM ports)
PORT2 (select RS-485 port, COM2, for configuration)
ECHO2 (echo to the other COM port, COM1)
• Faulty wiring. See instructions on page 25. RS-485: verify internal DIP switch
and jumper settings on page 10. Also check for shorts or opens.
• Is the cable or computer/terminal bad? Here's a test:
1. Disconnect the serial cable from the APEX615n end only.
2. Connect cable's Rx and Tx lines together (echoes characters back to host).
3. Issue the TREV command. If nothing happens, the cable or computer/terminal
may be faulty.
Garbled Characters • Verify setup: 9600 baud ,8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity; RS-232: Full duplex;
RS-485: Half duplex .
• RS-485: Transmission line not properly terminated. See page 10 for internal DIP
switch and jumper settings. See page 25 for connections and calculating
termination resistors (if not using the internal resistors via internal DIP switches).
• Faulty wiring. See instructions on page 25. RS-485: verify internal DIP switch
and jumper settings on page 10. Also check for shorts or opens.
Double Characters • Your terminal emulator is set to half-duplex; set it to full-duplex.
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