The Automation Blog’s
SLC-500 Blog Index (36)
Updated on 09/10/2018
With the recent slew of SLC-500 questions coming into The Automation Forums and The Automation School, I thought it’d be a good time to post a new Blog Index of all my existing SLC-500 articles, podcasts, and videos.
Note: If you have a SLC-500 question, please feel free to post it in The Automation Forums A-B PLC Q&A forum HERE.
Hardware
Article: The Fixed Style SLC-500
September 6, 2013
Recently a client called asking what I thought would be the best replacement for a 1747-L40A. But to understand how to size a replacement for this PLC, we’ll first need to understand what that part number represents. In this article I’ll review the models that make up the Fixed Style SLC-500 family of products. Back in …
Podcast: Programmable Controller Non-Volatile and Volatile Memory
In The Automation Podcast, Episode 7, we discuss PLC and PAC non-volatile and volatile memory as used in the PLC-5, SLC-500, CompactLogix and ControlLogix. Note: You can read more about ControlLogix and CompactLogix non-volatile memory in our companion blog article HERE. By Shawn Tierney
Software
Article: How to get a free copy of RSLogix Emulate 500
July 16, 2014
Free is good One of the best kept Rockwell secretes is for the last few years they have offered RSLogix Emulate 500 for free. With this software, you can test your SLC-500 or MicroLogix programs right on your PC, without the need to connect to a physical unit. And Emulate …
Article: What’s new in RSLogix 500, Micro v11
RSLogix 500 and RSLogix Micro version 11 is out, and in today’s article we’ll take a look at what’s new in this release…
Article: RSLogix 500 and Micro Get Windows 8 Release
Just this last week I found out that Rockwell Automation had released version 9.05 of RSLogix 500 and RSLogix Micro.
These new versions add support for Windows 8 and 8.1 while also removing support for Windows XP.
Article: RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro support for Windows XP / 7 / 8
Last Wednesday in this article I discussed how to use Rockwell’s PCDC webpage to look up the compatibility of Rockwell Software packages with Microsoft Windows operating systems.
In today’s article we’ll take a look at the results for RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro.
Article: How to setup and use RS Emulate
Last week I walked through how to get a free copy of RSLogix Emulate 500, and in today’s article I’ll show you how to set it up.
Communication Cables and Adapters
Article: How to add Ethernet to a SLC-500
October 29, 2014
The SLC-500 is a very popular PLC with over a million installed processors in facilities around the world. Over the years many of those facilities have modernized their sites by adding plantwide ethernet networks, and I often get calls asking how they can add their legacy SLC-500 systems to those Ethernet networks. Note: For our previous articles …
Article: USB to Data Highway Plus using the ANC-120e
Today I take a look at the ANC-120e USB to Data Highway Plus converter from Automation Networks.
Article: Why the Allen-Bradley (A-B) 1747-PIC always had trouble working in Microsoft Windows
October 9, 2013
Over the years I’ve heard more than my fair share of complaints about Allen-Bradley’s 1747-PIC’s lack of Microsoft Windows support. In fact, every time I now hear someone complain I can’t help but say, “It’s a DOS product! From 1990! What other ‘90 products do you have that support Windows …
Podcast: Adding DH-485 to your MicroLogix, SLC-5/04, SLC-5/05, and PanelView Plus 6 400 and 600.
In The Automation Podcast: Episode 16, we discuss how you can add DH-485 to your MicroLogix, SLC-5/04, SLC-5/05, and PanelView Plus 6 400 and 600.
Upload, Download, Go Online
Article: The SLC-500: Communicate and Download over Serial DF1 using RSLinx and RSLogix 500
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate over serial with an Allen-Bradley SLC-500 so you can download or go online with RSLogix?
Video: A-B SLC-500 Serial Comm Setup & Download
Learn how to setup serial communications to an A-B SLC-500 and then download to it in Episode 16 of The Automation Minute Season 3.
Article: The SLC-500: Communicate and Download over DH-485 using RSLinx and RSLogix 500
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate over DH-485 to an Allen-Bradley SLC-500 so you can download or go online with RSLogix?
Video: A-B SLC-500 DH-485 Comm Setup & Download
January 27, 2017
Learn how to setup DH-485 communications to an A-B SLC-500 and then download to it in Episode 17 of The Automation Minute Season 3.
Article: PLC-5 and SLC-500: Communicate and Download over Data Highway Plus using RSLinx and RSLogix
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate via USB over Data Highway Plus to an Allen-Bradley PLC-5 or SLC-5/04?
Article: Why I can’t connect to my SLC-500
February 13, 2015
Today we dig into our mailbag for another edition of “Insight’s Inbox.” Reader Question: I’ve run into an issue for which I would like to ask your opinion. Here in our plant we have SLC-500, specifically a SLC-5/03, which controls our material handling system. Whenever I connect to the SLC-5/03 to attempt to make a …
Messaging
Article: How to Message (MSG) data from a SLC-5/05 to a MicroLogix 1400 over Ethernet
In Today’s article I walk you through how to Message data from a SLC-5/05 to a MicroLogix 1400 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction.
Video: How to Message (MSG) data from a SLC-500 to a MicroLogix over Ethernet
May 25, 2018
In this episode I demonstrate how to message data from a SLC-5/05 to a MicroLogix 1400 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction (Episode 42 of The Automation Minute Season 4:)
Article: How to Message (MSG) data from a MicroLogix 1400 to a SLC-5/05 over Ethernet
In Today’s article I walk you through how to Message data over Ethernet using the MSG instruction from a MicroLogix 1400 to a SLC-5/05.
Video: How to Message (MSG) data from a MicroLogix to a SLC-500 over Ethernet
May 29, 2018
In this episode I demonstrate how to message data from a MicroLogix 1400 to a SLC-5/05 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction (Episode 43 of The Automation Minute Season 4:)
Connecting HMIs
Article: Connecting a PanelView Plus to a SLC-500 Channel 0 Serial Port
June 16, 2014
When looking to upgrade older PanelView 550 or 600 models, it’s common to consider the PanelView Plus 600 as a suitable replacement. For starters, most of the new PVPlus models will fit in the older PanelView cutouts. And, Panelbuilder32 programs import into View Studio mostly intact. Note: For more information about migrating …
Video: Flashback – FactoryTalk View Importing PLC-5 & SLC-500 Tags
July 15, 2014
In The Automation Minute, Flashback Episode 7, Shawn Tierney walks you through Rockwell’s FactoryTalk View Studio importing of PLC-5 and SLC-500 Tags.
Programs and Examples
Article: Flashback Friday! RSLogix 500 “Providence Beer” Demo
October 24, 2014
Welcome to The Automation Blog’s “Flashback Friday!” Today I’m highlighting my RSLogix 500 “Providence Beer” demo. The year was 1996 and I was tasked with designing a “hands-on” seminar for the new PanelView 550. The hands-on labs I needed to create would include setting up communications, as well as basic screen creation. In order to do this, I would need …
Article: Flashback Friday! RSLogix 500 Top Ten Sort
May 23, 2014
Welcome to The Automation Blog’s “Flashback Friday!” This blog series highlights automation articles and content that I originally posted on my previous website(s) between 1999 to 2013. Today I’m highlighting an RSLogix 500 program I wrote for the SLC-500. In the early spring of 2000, a good friend of mine asked for help creating a program that would sort racers based …
Migrating
Article: How To Convert SLC-500 Programs to MicroLogix
In this article we’ll look at converting SLC-500 programs to MicroLogix, including how to address two common errors.
Video: Converting SLC-500 Programs to MicroLogix
In this episode I discuss how you go about converting SLC-500 programs to MicroLogix, as well as how to deal with a couple of common errors (Episode 24 of The Automation Minute Season 4:
Article: Replace a Fixed SLC-500 (1747-Lxxx) with a MicroLogix
September 9, 2013
Recently a client called asking what I thought would be the best PLC to replace a Fixed SLC-500. Specifically he was looking to replace a 1747-L40A. To pick a replacement we first needed to understand what this part number represents, and we covered this in detail in our last article here. We found that the 1747-L40A consisted of (24) …
Article: Changes I would like to see made to Rockwell’s Translate PLC-5 SLC utility
February 4, 2014
Having used Rockwell’s Translate PLC-5 SLC utility on multiple occasions, and having discussed it’s practical use with other programmers time and again, I recently sent the following recommendations to Rockwell: INTs vs. DINTs One of easier things I would like to see changed in the “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 utility” is the automatic …
Article: Converting your RSLogix 500 program to RSLogix 5000 using the Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 utility step-by-step
January 22, 2014
If you have a PLC-5 or SLC-500 program you would like to import into RSLogix 5000, look no further than Rockwell’s free “Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 utility.” This utility can save you hundreds of hours of manually re-entering code, and is available free of charge from the public Rockwell Tech …
Article: Working around the Translate PLC-5 SLC 2.0 utility’s syntax error
January 20, 2014
A few weeks ago, a client asked me to review his SLC-500 program files. He wanted my advice on how difficult it would be to convert them to CompactLogix. When I received his files, the first thing I did was power on my primary Windows 7 64bit virtual machine. Then I opened each of …
Learning and Misc
Article: Get A-B Programmable Controller data into Microsoft Excel using RSLinx
In Today’s article I’ll walk you through how you can bring Allen-Bradley Programmable Controller Data into Microsoft Excel 2016 using RSLinx Classic.
Article: Getting Started With Programmable Controllers (PLC)
January 26, 2015
I often get asked what is the best way to learn how to program PLC’s? In my opinion, there’s nothing like first hand experience. Therefore, I always recommend buying a small Micro PLC to use at home as the best way to learn. But then comes the obvious next questions: Which Micro? What …
Podcast: Beginner’s PLC
In The Automation Podcast: Episode 26, we discuss two different options when choosing a Beginner’s PLC.
Article: Beginner’s PLC
August 26, 2013
So you’re new to the world of PLC’s (Programmable Logic Controllers) and are looking to buy a beginner’s PLC to work with at home. I’m going to assume you’re on a budget, so getting the most “bang for your buck” will be important. You also may not own a 24vdc power supply, …
Article: Flashback Friday! The SLC-500 Blue Demo Case
Today I’m highlighting a piece of legacy hardware, the SLC-500 blue demo case.
Until next time, Peace ✌️
Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator
Have a question? Join my community of automation professionals and take part in the discussion! You'll also find my PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.
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