Hi!

Previously we used MC2 in a project. Now changed master module in the program to MC43.

We have a DIY test board (large resistors with LED for indication) to double check if the machine sends signal to valves etc.

Using COUT channels...so connectors come in pairs. With MC2 if one of the connectors wasn't connected to a load it would display "open load" error when machine would send a signal to a valve that isn' t connected, but connected one would work when output is signal is given. (no open load error when joystick is in neutral)

Now with MC43- both COUT pair connectors have to be connected for it not to display "open load" error..even when joystick is in neutral position.

Is this because MC43 diagnoses itself differently than MC2 or is there something to be changed in the program?

Hi, I have an issue with intermittent MC43 COUT overload errors on one of our machines.

Status is OK and operates well in most conditions, but will randomly report overload (even when that function is not requested).

I have tested the solenoids, plugs, and wiring harnesses within this circuit and all looks ok.

COUT circuit C1:16, 41, 57.

Is there anything else I should check to see what might be going wrong?

We have a machine that has sporadic nuisance open load errors on a function controlled by a unidirectional current output (COUT-G) on an MC43. Since this happens with some frequency, I suspect we are right up against the limit of the open load detection threshold. They test out well in assembly, but any increase in resistance occurring in the field might be setting it over the edge of the error threshold.

How can I calculate at what load resistance, commanded current, and supply voltage an open load error will occur?

This function is controlled with a Parker CCP024H 1/2" super coil with nominal resistance at room temperature of 30.30 ohms. Machine runs on 24V (around 28V when alternator charging). Maximum commanded current is set to 600mA.

Are the current out channels on an MC43 suitable for dishing out a 4-20 ma signal? It would be controlling a VFD.

I know the current out channels are typically used to control valves and used in the hundreds of milliamp range. 

We are using a MC43 and using PWM and COUT channels. What we have noticed is when a PWM HS output is shorted to ground, one of our COUT outputs goes into overload. In our case, C2:51 was shorted to ground but C2:67/C2:15 had the overload error. 

Hello,

ID-tag 4 to 7 does not exist for Molex MX123.

We use 4,5 and 7 today and have to re crimp those ID-Tags for MX123.

When do you plan to offer ID-Tags 4 to 7 for MX123?

Regards

Fredrik Forsberg  

IQAN Design refers to CAN bus on the MC4X as A, B, C etc, manual (under installation) refers to it as numbers 1, 2, 3 etc. Although its obvious to work out, its better for us if its one designation across the board to avoid confusion when cross referencing documents.

We are using a MD4-7 and x2 MC41's on some of our machines (we actually wanted to use only x1 MC42 for these jobs but we are still waiting for the parts to arrive and have deadlines to meet so we are just using what we have available to get the job done)

But last night we started testing the machine and went through all of the procedures and functionality when all of a sudden an error appeared on the display telling me that one of the MC41 controller lost comms, but the other one was still fine and giving readings... So the 1st thing we tried to resolve this was typically switching the machine off and on, but this time there was no CAN comms at all.

We went though the wiring harness and made sure that everything was correct and the wiring was all good, so we then went and replaced both these controllers with new MC41's we had in stock, we plugged it in uploaded the software and the system was happy again with the new controllers and it is still working fine at this moment... So I took the 2 faulty MC41's to my office and connected it all together to try and diagnose the issue. 

Each time I tried uploading software (using IQANDESIGN 5.01 via ethernet) it kept on warning me about the incomplete system and that only the MD4-7 will be updated.

Eventually we switched from CAN-A to CAN-B only on the MC41's. but upon each attempt to upload the software, the same "incomplete system" warning appeared. 

So I just left it for a while and a few minutes later decided to just try again uploading once more. Well it worked all of a sudden and that is also a big problem, because I didn't change anything where I could say " there, that was the problem".

This is worrying us a bit, because we have no idea why this happened in the first place and secondly these machines are going to the middle of Africa... So this sort of thing must not happen at all!

I have only been using MD4's and MD3's with XA2's in the past without any problems at all, these are our first machines using the MC4x family and this is also the 1st time that I encountered any issues like this on IQAN.

Have anyone else experienced this before?  I have no idea why it failed or why it started to work again and this is definitely not the correct answer to give the person asking this question when there are deadlines to meet.

The other thing to mention also is the LED's on the controllers which blinked bright yellow 3 times then blinked dimmed yellow 3 times while it was not communicating. which also does not correspond with these fault codes in the manual. There was no RED LED blinking at all. 

Hello,

I have a question regarding coils for proportional valves controlled by uni- or bidirectional COUT outputs:

As of now, we are using the coil "Sun Hydraulics 770-924" for some of our proportional valves. That coil includes a TVS-diode:

That contradicts the (somewhat loose?) statement in the MC4x Instruction book:

I understand that there is some kind of diode solution internally in the MC4x for COUT's. Does that solution make the coil's diode solution redundant?

Some information regarding the coil:

The coil _appears_ to work just fine in our application but I haven't checked it with an oscilloscope during operation to see what is actually going on. Maybe the TVS-diode in the coil is never active? 

In short:
Is it OK to use this coil or does it, in some way, interfere with functionality? Or should I interpret the Instruction Book strictly and use a coil with no diodes at all?

I thought that with your knowledge of the MC43's internal hardware perhaps you could shine some light on the matter?

Much appreciated,
Christopher Fridstaden

Controller: IQAN-MC43, Connector C1, Pin 12 (IN_34, pull-up type frequency input)

Issue: I'm feeding a 200 Hz, ~60% duty cycle open-collector signal into pin 12, using the module's internal pull-up (per manual: 1.5 kΩ to internal 5V, 10 nF) with no external resistor. Instead of a clean square wave, the signal reads as a sawtooth that never reaches 0V - high sits around 4.6V, low only drops to ~4.3V.

I've confirmed pin 12 floats at 4.6V unloaded, and leakage from my circuit is negligible. Tried several pull-up configurations externally; sink current into the pin stays very low (~0.2-0.5 mA) regardless.

Questions:

1. Is 1.5 kΩ/10 nF correct for this input type?

2. What sink current is needed to reliably trigger a logic-low on this pin?

3. Any recommended interfacing for low-current-sinking sources on these inputs?

Thanks for any guidance.