Red Lion to AC Tech SCF VFD via Modbus

06 Jun 2025

Operator interface Tech Note 23 - TNOI23

Abstract

This technical note presents how to connect a Red Lion G3 HMI with an AC Tech SCF Variable Freq. Drive using RS485 communications. The same setup can be used to program a Modular Controller Enhanced Master.

Products

Red Lion Controls CR1000 Human Machine Interface (HMI), CR3000 HMI, DA Series Data Station, Data Station Plus (DSP), G3 HMI, G3 Kadet HMI, Graphite® Controller, Graphite HMI, Modular Controller (MC), and ProducTVity Station™ (PTV)

System Diagram

See Figure 1:

Fig_1.PNG

Figure 1.

Cable Information

Refer to Figure 2 for the RS485 Communication port information for the AC Tech SCF Drive:

Fig_2.PNG

Figure 2.

Figure 3 presents the communication cable pinout between the G3 and the AC Tech SCF Variable Freq. Drive:

Fig_3.PNG

Figure 3.

Crimson Communication Setup:

RS485 Comms Port (as shown in Figure 4.)

- Driver on RS485 port: Modbus Universal Master
- Protocol Type: Modbus RTU
- Slave Response Timeout: 500 ms
- Baud Rate: 9600
- Data Bits: 8 bits
- Stop Bits: Two
- Parity: None

Fig_4.PNG

Figure 4.

Comms Device (ACTECH1 as shown in Figure 5.)

- Drop Number: 1
- Ping Holding Register: 25

Fig_5.PNG

Figure 5.

AC Tech SCF Drive Settings

The following settings are mandatory for the communication to work:
- Parameter # 15 = 02 serial enable with timer
- Parameter # 43 = Drop address #

NOTE: Modbus register 40002 using Red Lion equipment is the equivalent of Register 1 in the AC Tech drive.

See SCF Series Drives Modbus Control Operation by AC Tech for register numbers explanations.
http://www.actechinternational.com/

Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.

Red Lion Technical Support

If you have any questions or trouble contact Red Lion Technical Support by clicking here or calling 1-877-432-9908.

For more information: http://www.redlion.net/support/policies-statements/warranty-statement