Some basic questions

T3000 Software
1

These basic questions hopefully have basic answers.

  1. if I ever need to expand my T3-BB project it would mean adding another controller eg a T3-LB. Please confirm that the additional controller has its own input/output/variable tables - ie the two controllers do not share the same tables?

  2. does the T3-XX have a flag to indicate “new boot-up” or maybe a variable meaning “time since boot-up”? I would like to initialise a few variables after boot-up but dont know of a flag I can refer to.

  3. Please confirm a xxx.prog file created by “save-as” includes all 16 programs? If I set my program up/edit on a virtual device using T3000 with all the I/O/V tables, I can transfer the whole thing to a “real” device simply by copying the xxx.prog file (saved on the virtual device) and loading it into the real device? I dont need to copy the individual program (aa.txt) files?

2

  1. Expanding a T3 system: Just add more T3 controllers on the network, the controllers can share points over the network transparently. The graphics system can link the various controllers in the building into a system that acts as one.

  2. Bootup timer: Theres some new ‘Pvars’ that are the on board, behind the scenes, ‘private variables’ which can be now used in your programs. Check the vars table and click on the pvars filter. I believe the time since boot is in there.

  3. The prog file contains everything in the controller. All inputs, outputs, variables, schedules, calendars, 16 programs, PIDs, etc. are all backed up in that prog file. You can load that program to another controller and it will run just like the first controller.

3

Thanks. Where do I find the PVARS filter??
Is that available on my T3-BB (not the latest model)?

4

I supply my controller from a UPS to maintain operation during quite long power outages. Of course, only a few of the controlled real-world devices are supplied from UPS - the others do nothing without power. But at least the controller can set outputs how they should be for an orderly restart and retain certain data that might be lost otherwise.

I also have an external “power-OK/fail” relay connected to an Input which I use for initialisation.

I would also like to incorporate a “watchdog” flag indicating “Controller has booted successfully and is working normally” - is any such flag available? How can I access it?

5

There are some new ‘pvars’ as we’ve named them, the private bacnet objects. You will need to update T3000 and the firmware to see them. They hold parameters such as the serial number, time since reboot and others. You can use them in your programs using the new pvar keyword.

7

Another question: When in the process of SENDing, SAVEing etc does the Program length shown in the PROGRAM Table get updated?

For example, I Cleared/blanked one program, sent and saved the blank several times yet still it shows 600 bytes - yet opens blank. I have also Saved the .prog file.

I frequently see differences between the “Resource Compile Succeeded” file size advisory (which I am inclined to believe) and the size recorded in the PROGRAM table which is often wrong.

Is there some way to FORCE the PROGRAM Table size to update correctly?

8

The team will check into this, sounds like the UI is not refreshing correctly.