V-Green 270 and RS-485 Control

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LapPool

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I've read three threads on the forums related to RS-485/MODBUS control of the V-Green pump motors. Based on those, I was encouraged to give it a try. I bought an inexpenive 422/485 USB adapter for testing, and downloaded the terminal program with macro support that @MSchutzer used.

Initially, I misconnected the RS-485 lines + to minus and minus to plus. Powering on the USB adapter caused the pump motor to kick on. I wasn't even connected via the terminal yet. I then connected and hit M0, which immediately caused the motor to stop running, then 15 seconds later, the motor started spinning up. This seems like controller reset behavior. I also tried disconnecting the USB, which also caused the motor to quit.

Properly connecting the wires A-A, B-B (guessing because the 270 doesn't have labeled pins in the middle, like the 165 does), I was not able to get any response from the motor.

I needed to run the pump since it's been down for weeks, so I let it run for four hours with the laptop hooked up and the wires reversed. That got me thinking that switching the wires with a differential signal really just inverts the signal. Maybe that means the 270 is analog voltage in or digital PMW'd. The dip switches are different too. There are only 4 and they are labeled differently. When adding a V-Link, the instructions say to switch DIP 1 to On and the rest off. By default, 1 and 2 are in the on position.

I'm thinking about connecting the oscilliscope/logic analyzer to it next.

PXL_20230402_173953175c.jpg
 
Lap,

What are you trying to accomplish? You say the motor has been down for weeks, why is this? Did the original controller fail?

Have you considered purchasing the Vlink controller?

The write-ups that I did in other threads were geared to enabling the Vgreen 165 to talk Jandy’s protocol so the pump can be controlled by Jandy’s RS automation system.

Others have tried to enable the Jandy protocol on the Vgreen 270 without success.

But the motor should respond to the native Modbus protocol as others with the Vgreen 270 have been able to communicate and read the status of the motor.

Are you using the same terminal program that I used or using something else?

Before we get into the weeds with details I’ll ask what are you trying to do? Even if you get the communications working the RS-485 interface on the motor will time out after 60 seconds unless it continues to receive commands.

If you are trying to get you motor back up and running there are easier ways to do this than trying to write a Modbus control program from scratch.

Please fill in some of the details and we can go from there.
 
The original digital controller is dust-sealed only, so it fills with water when it rains. The pumps are now discountinued and the replacement controllers appear to be no longer available, despite the motor being less than 2 years old. I've contacted the original dealer and the manufacturer. The V-Link reviews are bad, and since the company has horrible customer service, my expectation is that it's a waste of money.

Initially, I am doing testing to scope out all the commands I'll need, then I'll just program a uC to act as the controller. Yes, I'm using the same terminal and Regal macros.
 
Okay, you should be able to get the Vgreen 270 to respond to the M0 status command if it’s hooked up correctly.

Make sure you have the Hex box checked in the terminal program’s receive window otherwise you may or may not see anything, as the Ascii representation of the hex values will just be jibberish at best.

How do you have the DIP switches set up on the motor?

I forgot to add, here is another thread talking about someone working with the Vgreen 270 motor. He was able to get the motor turning using the Modbus commands.

Thread 'Vgreen 270 Automation with Jandy Aqualink?'
Vgreen 270 Automation with Jandy Aqualink?
 
Yes, the OP was not able to get the Vgreen 270 to communicate in Jandy’s protocol, but the OP was able to communicate and command the motor in the native MODBUS commands.

If I understand correctly, that is what you are trying to do?
 
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