Archive for category Software
Why won’t Pactware work with the Siemens LUT 400?
Posted by danstips in Configuration, Flow, Flowmeters, Level, Level Technology, Siemens, Software, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic, Ultrasonic Flowmeters, Wireless, WirelessHART on October 22, 2015
Written by: Dan Weise
I’ve used Pactware for a couple years now, so I was surprised when I couldn’t get the Siemens LUT400 to work with the software. The LUT400 ultrasonic level and flow controller comes with a DTM file that I installed before opening the Pactware software.
The DTM file can be downloaded from this link: http://tinyurl.com/cqk2cky
Once it had been installed, I opened Pactware and updated the device catalog, as seen in the picture below:
But when I attempted to establish a HART connection to the LUT400, I got an error message:
Why doesn’t the print button work in my Trendview recorder browser window?
Posted by danstips in Honeywell, Paperless Recorders, Software, Trendview X-Series Paperless Recorders, Troubleshooting on October 13, 2015
When their Remote View option is turned on, Trendview paperless recorders display recorder screens in Internet Explorer as shown here:
Getting a printout was not as easy as using file > print, because the technology uses Active-X components in Windows, so the result is a blank screen; something to do with Active X and printing.
Where do I find firmware and software updates for Honeywell paperless recorders?
Posted by danstips in Honeywell, Paperless Recorders, Recorders, Software, Trendview X-Series Paperless Recorders on December 3, 2014
A customer contacted me earlier today after reading another blog post about running Honeywell TrendManager software on a Windows 7 computer. She was looking for a copy of the latest software compatible with her recorders and operating system. But because Honeywell is a large company with several different divisions and websites, it can sometimes be difficult for customers to find the downloads they need.
So here’s the quick fix:
Making a Siemens clamp-on flowmeter setup record easy to read
Posted by danstips in Communications, Configuration, Flow, Flowmeters, Serial, Siemens, Software, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic Flowmeters on October 1, 2014
Everyone agrees that it’s good practice to keep a record of configurations and setups for any field instrument. I’m constantly recommending it to our customers for their transmitters, controllers, recorders, and other complex configurable devices.
Siemens clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters even have a system in place to make this process easy. By connecting the meter to a PC through the RS-232 serial port, you can use a terminal program and the SITE command to fetch a data file that holds all the instrument’s configuration data.
The terminal program can also be used — with a set of instructions specific to the flowmeter — for viewing real-time operational data, performing device setup, uploading logger data, or uploading configurations known as SITE setups.
Recently, I was called to visit a plant and look at a misbehaving flowmeter. From previous discussions with the operator, I knew he’d saved SITE setup files for every flowmeter installed in the plant.
I asked if the customer would e-mail me the setup file before my visit, so I could check out how the flowmeter was set up. My request was met with a chuckle and “Well, if you really think it’s worth it…”