GECON TCP-508N IO module

SUPER SMART S8-3CN

GECON TCP-508N

Information on shopping site

Site: aliexpress.com

Store name: Tonifishi D automatic Store (images are watermarked "chillchi").

Product name: 8 channel analog input 4 channel analog output 8 switch input 8 relay Ethernet IO module

Brand Name: HAOBA

Product link | product page as pdf (4,6 MB) | user manual | configuration utilities (38 KB) |

Complete software kit, including user manual and configuration utilities (and some useless stuff I think) (3,2 MB).

Factory settings

Ethernet
   IP: 192.168.1.75
   Port: 502 (only this port is open)
   Mask: 255.255.255.0
   Gateway: 192.168.1.1

Modbus-TCP works well. The device respond to ping requests.

RS-485
   Baudrate: 9600 bps
   Data bits: 8
   Parity: None
   Stop bits: 1
   xonxoff: False
   rtscts: False
   dsrdtr: False

   Protocol: Modbus-RTU
   Modbus unit id (address): 1 (0x01)
   Timeouts down to 0.1 s tested ok.

RS-232

Not tested.

Power consumption

I have measured 103 mA @ 12 VDC = 1.24 Watt.

IO

The product page have rather detailed information that actually seems correct from my tests. The following are some complementary information I have discovered.

Modbus register addressing are zero-based; the first register have address 0 (0x00).

AI Analog input

I ordered 0-10V but the AI-s was set to 0-20mA by jumpers under the cover, after adjusting the jumpers it worked as expected.

Modbus function code: 4 (0x04) Read Input Registers.

Range: 0-10V = 0-50000

AO Analog output

I ordered 0-10V but the AI-s was set to 0-20mA by jumpers under the cover, after adjusting the jumpers it worked as expected.

Modbus function codes: 3 (0x03) Read Holding Registers, 6 (0x06) Write Single Register and 16 (0x10) Write Multiple registers

Range: 0-10V = 0-50000

DI Digital input

Modbus function code: 2 (0x02) Read Discrete Inputs

DO Digital output

There seems to be two types available; transistor or relay output. I ordered and got relay output. The relays are split in two groups with a common feed on the COM pin for each group (contrary to the product page where there are only one feed for all 8 relays). The feed are relayed out on the channel pin when the output is set to high (NO), no NC pin.

Modbus function codes: 1 (0x01) Read Coils, 5 (0x05) Write Single Coil and 15 (0x0F) Write Multiple Coils.

Comments

I purchased this io module from aliexpress in august 2018, delivered a month later to my home i Sweden. All seems fine exept for a minor damage; one of the fastening ears was broken, but I plan to fasten mine on a DIN-rail, using the built-in mounting.

It seems that one can (only) communicate with this module over Modbus. No web interface or such. Not really a problem as the modbus communication works great.

The device have been busy at work for about two years now and it have been rock solid. I am using all IO types (DI, DO, AI and AO). The only odd thing I have experienced is that I sometimes get obnormal amount of error responses if I send a request too soon after establishing TCP socket connection, adding 0.05 s delay fixed it.

Configuration

The product page tells that the device can be configured using a configuration software, but the examples given don't seems to be accessible to me as the google results on them gave dubious results (I think). I requested software by the supplier and I got a few utilities, but haven't tested them all yet.

I have tested the utility CFG.exe in Windows XP and Windows 7 and it worked well for configuration of communication settings like ip, baudrate and such. No installation, just run it. It seems to accept any communication method available (RS232, RS485, ethernet). The user interface is a single window in english (yay), and you should not need admin rights either (unless required for your communication port).

I got another utility named "AI configuration software.exe" and it seems for adjusting scale and such, but i have not yet tested it. Please find download links near the top of this page.

I got a message from someone that bought the TCP-507E model (8 DI + 8 DO) and he was also able to configure it with this software.

If you have questions or additional info, please put them in the comment section below, or use the contact form here.