1st - Make sure all wires linking each controller at the RS485 Terminal Port are snug, tight, and installed correctly.

2nd - Make sure controllers blue jumpers (starting with Site Master) are off or on 1 pin except the last controller in the RS485 bus Chain.

3rd - Make sure that the controllers are all assigned their proper network titles (mapping) in programming.

 

You would have to enable this feature by doing the following:

Hit Enter/Menu>SystemSetup>AdvanceSettings> scroll down to Comm Diag Screen and and hit (+) on keypad to change it from HIDE to SHOW,

Then hit the BACK button 3 times to get to the HOME Screen, then hit PREVIOUS 1 time.

This is what the Comm Diag Screen looks like

 

 

If the SM can’t see Zone Master or Slave attached and vice versa, it could be an issue with the:

• Wiring
• Programming
• Chip (RS485 or Main Rabbit Module)
• Noise/Interference 
• Power

Things you want to check:

• Check Power supplies. Make sure they are 12vdc+; if they are 11v or less, replace

• Check RS485 Wiring & blue jumpers
• Try replacing RS485 Wiring with a short piece of wire
• Try removing Weather Station wiring to resolve issue.
• Check Communications mapping make sure that its correct on all controllers on network.
• Try resetting controller.
• Try powering controllers from different circuit altogether, Dirty Power can cause issues.

• Try to systematically remove wiring attached to controller to see if this resolves issue.
• Are VFD’s connected to panel? If so, temporarily detach them. Then try COMMs
• Gauge wire recommended is 24 AWG twisted cable.
• Is the Drain (gnd) attached to SM and SM only?
• Inspect the Main Rabbit Module and RS485 Chip for any surface irregularities

• Ohm the Comm Line and make sure there not shorted to ground and have continuity on each leg 

Need to Meter for continuity the wire between the Controllers within the whole RS485 Network Wiring.  Any shorts will cause noise and problems and will make controllers or even the entire network non viewable

 

  

If the Site Master is problematic, you may need to bypass the Site Master and make the 2nd controller in Chain the Site Master.

BYPASS TEST #1- making the following controller the SM

Make next controller in the line of controllers the Site Master (SM), and then reset newly appointed Site Master (SM) and see if communications are established.

 

 

 

BYPASS TEST #2- Making the controller in question OFF and allowing COMM TO FLOW THROUH IT.

Unplug the controller in question which will power down the communications of that controller but will allow the RS485 connections to continue on to the following controller

RS 485 wires screwed together - Simulating wire nuts continuing the signal

 

 

 INDEPENDENT TEST

What you want to do is the following test on each controller INDEPENDENTLY

Make the controller a site master (SM)  as a stand alone,

• Disconnect RS485 Wiring (no controllers attached)
• Remove blue jumper
• Enable the COMM DIAG SCREEN (You would have to enable this feature by doing the following) Menu>SystemSetup>AdvanceSettings> scroll down to Comm Diag Screen and enable show
• Hit +or- then hit back and completely exit out.
• To see Controller Network - press “PREV” at the main status screen
• This will display 4 double digit columns
  • On screen the zero by itself is the error counter.

If the zero is not moving and is constant, it's okay

If the zero is moving and the error counter is increasing in #’s, there could be a problem