Equipment required
From Nimbus
- A nimbusGo device connected to Nimbus Engineer App.
- A 2M Adapter Lead (part no 201-101-01).
- A Multi Panel (9 Pin D Female) Panel Adapter (part no 201-103-01).
- A Protec Port Isolator (part no 201-151-02).
From the panel manufacturer/3rd party
- A Protec engineer to enable the RS232 port.
Panel configuration
The communications (modem) port must be enabled with ‘Hercules’ operation. This has to be done by a Protec engineer within the panel configuration software. The engineer may also require a 'Hercules Enabling Code'.
It may be necessary to power cycle the control panel following a port configuration.
When the port is correctly enabled, and the nimbusGo is connected, then the ‘modem transmit’ LED on the panel main board should flash approximately every 8-10 seconds.
If the port is correctly enabled, but the nimbusGo is not (or incorrectly) connected, then the ‘modem transmit’ LED will flash approximately every 4-5 seconds and the panel will illuminate the Fault LED and report a fault ‘PANEL xx RS232 COMMS FAULT’ on the LCD.
Once servicing is complete, you will need to fit the Protec Port Isolator to the RS232 port to prevent the panel staying in fault while nimbusGo is not connected.
Panel connections
Connect nimbusGo to the RS232 connections on the interface via the 2M Adapter Lead and Multi Panel (9 PIN D Female) Panel Adapter.
You will now see the panel LED on nimbusGo turn green, and "good" panel comms will be indicated in Nimbus Engineer.
Learn more: Servicing equipment with Nimbus Engineer
Troubleshooting
You can connect your PC to the Protec panel using a USB to Serial adapter and serial gender changer (or LCS Female RS232 connector x2 wired as pass through), using terminal software on your PC and baud rate set at 600 baud. You should see the panel print #* repeatedly, this indicates the panel is configured for the protocol correctly.