Murphy HMI System

Well, the first person to ask would be the individual at the diesel engine manufacturer's Technical Helpline. It's only a phone call, and the advice will be direct, immediate and relevant.

It is really troubling why so few actually do this.

Or, why not ask the Centurion Plus or RedLion touch screen vendors to talk to some of their users.

I've used AB and Siemens 10 years ago.

Ask for references.

I would like to suggest that you use this company called COMAP, from controller to touch screen they supplied complete. Also their analog and binary imputs can be easily expanded to 64 so is the output. They basically understand retrofitting better with very good price.

Never used or heard of a Murphy Centurion Plus HMI, it must be a regional thing, so can't comment. But I have used RedLion HMI's and, can say they're a good quality item that will offer you pretty much the same functionality as any other HMI. I would also recommend ProFace & Parker/Eurotherm HMI's. But depending on where you're located and your experience with programming HMI's, I would suggest going with a HMI that has a local agent/technical helpline. Most of the HMI's from the main stream manufacturers, offer very similar functionality. So unless you're looking for something really different from your HMI, you've got plenty to choose from.

If you can get good support for the Murphy unit you've mentioned, then get them in to have a chat about what you're trying to achieve and, ask them about the support they can offer you and, the reliability of their equipment. Ask to be shown examples.

You have my vote for GA, I wasn't looking for sly remarks as some replied, only feedback from persons who have this specific product knowledge. Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion on the RedLion. The Centurion Plus is amongst the newest of the FW Murphy line so I am probably not going to find many persons here who have experience with this.

The reps here are very accessible and do offer various recommendations from systems they have done.

Regards

Tim

I have used both the Red Lion G3 HMI touch panel interfaces and Allen-Bradley PanelView. The Red lion is MUCH easier to use and is about 1/2 the price of the AB unit. The Red Lion uses Crimson programming software (free download from website); AB software costs and is "version frozen" by the license. The other real advantage is the Red Lion interface only uses 1 file for programming/configuration/whatever else. The AB requires an entire library of files. That alone make file management for projects so much easier. One job using a Red Lion was in another city using an AB Micro-logic PLC. I often took a phone call from the client, revised the HMI, and emailed the file to him a few hours later. They were sharp folks and once I walked them thru on how to do the download to the HMI, no problems. The mechanical engineer also made minor changes to the HMI file just by "jumping in" w/o any training on the Crimson software. If you've done any HMI programming, the Crimson software is very easy. And while bringing another project on line was on the phone with the RL tech support for 4 hours straight. Do I like Red Lion for HMIs? You bet! I also prefer to use AB PLCs, but if given the choice will not use AB panel interfaces.

Thank you very much for you're valued input. Your comments are very much the same and reinforces the local feedback I have been getting.

Regards

Tim

Yeah I agree Allen Bradley PLC/HMI equipment is costly (be it equipment or supporting software and support i.e. annual fee/product. That's what I call promoting your product) and, overcomplicate (i.e. firmware upgrades and compatibility issues when keeping spare parts). For something that for 95% of the time doesn't offer any kind of advantage over the vast array of other suppliers out there. I would stay well clear of Allen Bradley if I was you.