Do you really need to change the Device ID?

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Maxburn
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:51 am

Do you really need to change the Device ID?

Post by Maxburn »

Four MAU units of varying vintage but all under 5 years old. All have ALC OEMCtrl modules in them. #4 has touch screen and is simplicity itself to configure baud, MAC, device ID. Units 1 and 2 have no screen. 1,2,4 all are IOFlex. Unit 3 is IOZone, nobody understands why what is on site differs from sales expectation. Connecting touch screen shows basic info only as no touch screen file loaded. Connect BACView 6 software emulator (hardware hasn't been available for a while) and that shows a lot more info about unit operation but nothing regarding BACnet setup. It could have but they left those pages out of the screen file. From here is goes political, need to get license permission keys from the OEM, one week so that wasn't too bad. Also needs ALC server license key from customer, something a third party vendor would not have. Return visit connect field assistant and upload all the source files from the controllers, modify device ID and download the device ID changes to the controllers.

A third party vendor wouldn't have had a chance with those earlier units, fortunately the newer ones address all those concerns. Unfortunately the touch screen that made #4 so easy won't be available for a year due to supply chain problems.

Bonus, OEM vendor still thought pretty highly of this site. Brouchure picture vs what it looks like when I had to work on it.
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orion242
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Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:55 am
Location: New England
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Re: Do you really need to change the Device ID?

Post by orion242 »

Do a bit of work for small OEMs and their controls. Would say, it does take a bit of thought and planning to put together a nice package that can get dropped anywhere on the planet and not require a bunch of hassle in the field. Not only day one, but years later when heaven forbid they want to change something simple.

Guessing these guys don't have a former ALC guy on staff and relying on their internal staff and minimal training?
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Maxburn
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 12:51 am

Re: Do you really need to change the Device ID?

Post by Maxburn »

True, I'm minimally involved in doing the same for one of our projects and seeing it from both ends like this is a big help. At least this project will have a screen involved from the start, which is a major problem when you can't get them.

ALC is "supposed" to train these OEMs how to use the system, it reflects on them how they use it.
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