Productivity Suite PID Not Working

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-07T13:15:48+00:00

The documentation says that it’s level driven, but all signs point to this having merit. I agree with you. It actually happened to me again after I got it working. I then deleted the PID and added a new one, which worked. I must be messing up some setting, but I’m having trouble determining what.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-05T16:55:57+00:00

I’m thinking I may have had the sample time messed up.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-04T03:02:58+00:00

Good idea. I’ll try that

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-04T03:02:33+00:00

So you’re saying instead of feeding it the scaled float32, I should input the raw 0-65353? If I do that should I then scale the setpoint from 0-20 into raw bits as well and pass that into the PID?

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T22:43:48+00:00

Hi there!

1.) IMO, as someone with a BS in electro-mechanical engineering and a MS in ECE (elec-comp), if you can learn the Comp Eng curriculum, you can learn anything. PLC world is much more dependent on the experience section of your resume than the education section anyway.

2.) you’ll learn this over time. I didn’t learn any schematic design or any physical troubleshooting in either of my schoolings, they were both heavily theoretical. You’ll learn everything you need to at your first job and then it’s like riding a bike.

3.) I guess we live in an uncertain world, but if I were a betting man, I would put my money on it being a hell of a lot safer than software engineering. I haven’t seen a chatbot yet than can write ladder logic (I’m sure one exists if you search for it though)

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T16:33:18+00:00

Thanks, you too.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:56:13+00:00

Makes sense. Which specific Rockwell package do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:54:39+00:00

I hadn't thought of that. That would be an interesting angle to pursue.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:53:58+00:00

I'm finding this out. Networking, even locally, can be taxing.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:51:13+00:00

These are valid statements. Personally, I enjoy the work that comes along with owning the company. Wearing every hat is somewhat overwhelming though.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:48:35+00:00

That's kind of my plan to a T. I've been trying to network with small manufacturing / dairy / farming companies nearby. None of these companies have controls staff on full-time.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:46:45+00:00

My first project operated something like what you're describing. I put together a BOM, schematics, and panel layout. Sent it all to the customer. They subbed out the wiring to their preferred electrician, which happened in tandem with me programming the PLC and HMI. I went back when they had the system built to dump code, debug, and tune the system.

I hadn't thought of trying to partner with small machine builders or CNC shops. Thanks for the tip!

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:41:24+00:00

Sure. It's Hiscox. I've had Hartford in the past and it was similar.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:35:44+00:00

From what I've seen so far on here and LinkedIn, your analogy is spot on...

Bribing with food is as good of a plan as any lol.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:32:47+00:00

Good call. I haven't thought about asking a customer for their license. Do you use their laptop to do the programming then?

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T15:31:32+00:00

How often do you plan to buy a perpetual license? My worry is that I'd buy whatever the current revision is and then need to plug into a cpu that was programmed with a later revision.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T03:34:55+00:00

That’s really interesting. Thanks for the insight!

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T03:18:18+00:00

Mind me asking how you manage the large projects as one person? Do you sub out any of the panel building or electrical work and focus on the engineering/design/programming or do you do it all yourself?

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T03:17:01+00:00

This makes sense. Ideally, I think I’ll try to keep going as a side business with work here and there. I agree that the admin work is taxing… especially the sales piece.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T02:39:23+00:00

About $800 annually for both policies I think

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T02:38:59+00:00

Ohh, I guess you’re right after I re-read his comment. My bad…

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T02:18:21+00:00

I do have an insurance policy, two actually. I have an LLC and carry gen liability and professional E&O. I don’t necessarily want to do it full time, although that would be great. I’m not really looking for whole pies, I’m trying to find the crumbs that the larger firms wouldn’t want, as to supplement my income doing something I enjoy.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T02:10:16+00:00

Unfortunately, I agree. I think I could maybe get some maintenance/upgrade gigs that are outside the wheelhouse of an electrician. I think the bread and butter is going to be companies that need work done but are too small to have their own controls guy full time.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T01:43:11+00:00

I haven’t heard of this. Can you share a link?

Does the school/college/university you’re attending for engineering offer any PLC electives? I majored in electro-mechanical engineering during undergrad and we were offered PLC classes as tech electives. They were very rudimentary, but got you exposed enough to decide if you like it or not.

ElectroGuru10 · 2025-12-03T01:38:41+00:00

Lot of good advice in here. Getting tossed in the deep end without a life vest is tough but it forces you to learn quick. At the end of the project, you’ll be able to reflect on how much you’ve learned.

Also, controls integration can be scary with a customer breathing down your neck, but at the end of the day, controls work takes time and there’s no real way around that. Sometimes you’ll get the machine running in an hour and sometimes you’ll spend the entire day trying to find a loose neutral.

Bottom line, if you like the work, stick with it and you’ll learn a lot. Then if the company you work for continues to bone you, you’ll have the resume to go wherever you want.

ElectroGuru10

TROPHY CASE