MD485

The MD485 includes three ports (RS-232, CS I/O, RS-485) for connecting a PC, a datalogger, or another MD485. Any two ports can be used at a time.

The MD485 can be configured to provide transparent communications, MD9 emulation, and PakBus® networking. Although the MD485 can emulate an MD9, the MD485 can not be added to an existing MD9 network. PakBus networking requires the dataloggers to use the PakBus communications protocol. PC400 or LoggerNet software is used to initiate and control the communications link.

Required Equipment

The MD485 is shipped with the 10873 cable and SC12 cable for connecting it to a PC or datalogger. Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint networks use the following equipment:

1. PC running PC400 or LoggerNet software
2. At the computer site, an MD485 is connected to the computer via a #10873 cable.
3. At each datalogger site, an MD485 is connected either to the datalogger’s CS I/O port (not compatible with the CR200(X)-series) or the datalogger’s RS-232 port (not compatible with the CR510 or CR10X). The SC12 serial cable connects an MD485 modem to the CS I/O port. The #18663 9-pin male to 9-pin male null modem cable connects the MD485 to the RS-232 port.
4. The CABLE2TP-L Two-Twisted-Pair 22-AWG Cable connects an MD485 to another MD485. Please note that when communicating at maximum distances and high data rates, a cable with polyethylene insulation is recommended.
5. CR200(X)-series, CR510, CR800, CR850, CR10X, CR1000, or CR3000 datalogger.
6. Power supply (see below)
7. Environmental enclosure. At each field site, the datalogger, power supply, and MD485 should be housed in the enclosure if the equipment is not located in a building.

Powering the MD485

AC power is typically used at the computer site; a #15966 wall charger is required. At the field site, the MD485 is powered by the datalogger through its CS I/O port. If the MD485 is connected to the datalogger’s RS-232 port instead of the CS I/O port, or if the datalogger was purchased before 12/97, a #14291 Field Power Cable is required. Phone-to-MD485 and spread spectrum radio-to-MD485 networks also require a power supply with a null modem port . An A100 adapter used with a PS100 or PS200 power supply provides this capability. The PS100 is recharged via a wall charger or a solar panel.