4203 Keyboard Reading

[AlejandroDLF]

The Flow computer ScadaPack 4203 has a integrated display and a 2 buttons keyboard. The need is to use that 2 keys to adjust or change a particular parameter inside the configuration of the 4203.  I look for that using Realflo but I can´t find anything.  Other way could be if the Scadapack logic can read the status of the keys, if that is possible a small logic can be used to change a variable value or select something.   Does anybody knows if we can read the front display buttons??  Thanks a lot for comments and suggestions. 

[JD_Support]

Hello Alejandro, 

The pushbuttons on the display module of the 4203 are not actually used by the 4203. They come standard with the display module being used but the buttons do not serve any function.

The 4203 manual mentions:

"Configuring a SCADAPack transmitter using the local display is possible with older transmitters
only. Newer SCADAPack transmitters no longer have this configuration menu available on the
local display, and have to be configured using other means as detailed above. If you cannot
access the menu, it is not available on your transmitter version."

I don't recall ever seeing the ability to use these pushbuttons so I believe 'older transmitters' might mean MVTs from 15+ years ago.

You will need to use Realflo to change your configuration. Alternatively, you may be able to program your HMI or SCADA interface to change certain parameters in the flow computer via ModBUS commands.

[Joel_Weder]

Just a bit of historical background. The buttons were initially available for configuration of the MVT. However it was necessary to lock them out in order to ensure regulatory compliance. All configuration changes must be made by the Realflo software, and logged by Realflo. 

Presumably the firmware could be modified to allow the buttons to be used as digital inputs to the Modbus database, but that would be a major project and the likelihood of that being considered now is extremely low.

[JD_Support]

Thanks for the clarification Joel. 

I was originally thinking it may have been only used on MVTs without Flow computers, perhaps going back to the 4101 MVTs

[AlejandroDLF]

Ok, Thanks to all for the answers and help , the HMI option could be logical. But I cant believe we can not use the front buttons to do anything.   New question to change the orifice plate diam: in a 4203 we can configure 2 Gas runs, I can make the 2 runs "identical" except the orifice plate value.  Can we use a digital input to change or select between them?   Thanks

[MartinChartrand · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I found this in the Realflo User Manual: Navigation: Communication Protocol Reference > TeleBUS Protocol Interface > TeleBUS Configuration Registers > Orifice Plate Change

"Changing the orifice plate requires forcing inputs and changing the AGA‑3 configuration. Use the following commands to force the inputs before making a change to the AGA‑3 configuration. Refer to AGA-3 Configuration for commands to change the orifice plate."

So yes, in theory, you could use a digital input (internal or external) to change the orifice plate diameter but you would need to program separate logic in the RTU to handle all of the commands in their proper sequence to do so based on the state of the digital input. It's not a simple matter of simply writing a new value to an internal Modbus register.

You would need to start here and then go through the sequence: Navigation: Communication Protocol Reference > TeleBUS Protocol Interface > TeleBUS Configuration Registers > AGA-3 Configuration

I hope this helped.

M