Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
(OP)
Hello everyone,
First time posting here.
I have a question which I was wondering if someone here could help with.
> I have a piece of equipment which I want to install a device that will send an SMS/Email to a service department when an ERROR CODE appears on the machines display.
> The piece of equipment in question, has a basic lcd display that will bring up a number of error codes such as ERROR 01 - ERROR 99. The machine has an i/o board and a rs232 port.
Q) Would I be able to buy a device, that can be connected to the RS232 port and then provide the required information by SMS.
NOTE: The equipment in question, can be bought with a manufactures device which will send diagnostic SMS Messages, but it also has other features which I do not require. The manufacture is charging a gross amount for this device also, hence my reason for looking at an alternative option.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Regards
Thomas
First time posting here.
I have a question which I was wondering if someone here could help with.
> I have a piece of equipment which I want to install a device that will send an SMS/Email to a service department when an ERROR CODE appears on the machines display.
> The piece of equipment in question, has a basic lcd display that will bring up a number of error codes such as ERROR 01 - ERROR 99. The machine has an i/o board and a rs232 port.
Q) Would I be able to buy a device, that can be connected to the RS232 port and then provide the required information by SMS.
NOTE: The equipment in question, can be bought with a manufactures device which will send diagnostic SMS Messages, but it also has other features which I do not require. The manufacture is charging a gross amount for this device also, hence my reason for looking at an alternative option.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Regards
Thomas





RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
The machines are in operation at a remote site.
I want to put a device on this piece of equipment that will read this error code and then send it by SMS automatically to a designated phone number.
The piece of equipment has
and I/O Board
and rs232 port
Are there any devices available, which are not too costly that would be capable of doing this.
Regards
Thomas
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
So, if your trying just to be cheap, there are several options.
You can always use a PIC or other processor to receive the serial, decode it, and then hack the PIC I/O to the re-wired keyboard of a cheap Virgin or TracFone. After this, you can go the the middle east and build IEDs for a living.
You can go to a hobby site like Spark Fun Electronics, get a cellular module and processor setup, write code, and build something.
You can google, like I just did, and find companies like DIYControls, or other companies and look for something already build and closer to ready-to-go.
Now, if you are going to do more than a just a very few, you start to get into regulatory issues, and in North America that is the PTCRB that is the agency that cellular carriers use to keep mayhem of uncontrolled hardware from making the cellular system unreilable. It use to be Ma Bell that controlled phones, but now the cellular companies control access.
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
You may still require a computer to recognize the alarm condition. Then it would typically be a simple discrete signal to trigger the SMS gadget. It may even require a simple interface circuit between the computer and the dialer.
You should probably first ask your mobile service providers to find the best service, coverage and lowest fee. Then purchase a compatible gadget.
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
As you already would have guessed I'm not to well informed in this world of electronics, but I am learning slowly...very slowly.
From some research I have found that these error codes are created by the
CPU (MOSTLY)
DLCU (SOME ERROR CODES)
MCU (SOME ERROR CODES)
I would need a device that I can purchase ready made, and fit it to my piece of equipment, pop a sim card in it and hay presto it will send me a sms/email when either the CPU/DLCU/MCU generates an error code.
If anyone knows of a device on the market that can do this, please let me know.
Regards
Thomas
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
M2M cellular
You'll find a plethora of suppliers, many of whom can also set you up with a wireless carrier, similar to the experience of buying a new cell phone and getting it activated. (M2M = machine-to-machine)
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
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RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
Looks mighty simple to install and operate.
http://www.moxa.com/product/OnCell_G2111.htm
The data sheets, command sets, and manuals are all there too.
I've used other Moxa stuff in the past, good stuff in my opinion (no affiliation).
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
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RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
TTFN
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RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
Much appreciated
Thomas
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
At the very least, it's a recommended assumption until proven otherwise.
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
what exactly is a custom SW?
The manufacture of this equipment has their own text system available, but it costs too much, and has extra features which I do not require. The computer on the machine has an option for turning sms notifications on and off should you have the manufactures system installed.
What would your gut feeling on this be, would you think that creating your own system would be too much effort and I should just pay up for the manufactures product?
regards
thomas
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
RE: Advice - SMS Remote Diagnostics
That would be dependent on how much your time is worth. The manufacturer has economy of scale and ability to amortize cost over all the units they can sell the SW with. Your's is ostensibly a one-off. You ought to be able to do the math and the cost-benefit.
TTFN
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