Troubleshooting Comm on Touchscreen System Manager Limited

This guide provides steps to diagnose and resolve communication issues on the Touchscreen System Manager Limited.

✅ Troubleshooting Steps

Follow these steps to diagnose communication issues with your Touchscreen System Manager Limited:

1. Inspect Jumpers on the Touchscreen System Manager

   1. Check the jumpers located on the back of the Touchscreen System Manager, right next to the ‘R’ ‘S’ ‘T’ green terminal block.

      • Stand-alone installations: If there is No Commlink or Mini Link, both jumpers should be ON.
      • Networked applications: For all other applications where CommLinks or Mini Links are used, both jumpers must be OFF.

   2. Note on USB Link and GPC-XP Controllers:

      • If the USB Link is set as Stand Alone, it functions as the Master Device (address = 0). If networked, the default address is 63. Because the USB device can cause issues, it is often easiest to unplug the USB device when setting up initially.
      • GPC-XP Controllers have an onboard CommLink; remove the jumpers on these controllers to disable it.
2.  Verify System Manager Settings Address 

   1. The System Manager Settings Address determines the operation mode:

      • Address 0 = Stand Alone Mode: Choose this option if your SMTS-L is connected to one controller and you are not utilizing a CommLink, MiniLink, or USB Link. If multiple controllers are daisy-chained together but there is no CommLink or MiniLink, the setup is still considered stand-alone (address 0).
      • Address 63 = Network System: Set the address to 63 if you are using an SMTS-L that has a Mini Link or CommLink installed, and you only have a single SMTS-L for your entire system. If you want one of the SMTS-L’s to be able to indicate alarms for the entire system, you must enter 63 for Network system for that particular unit.
      • Address 1-60 = Multiple Managers: Choose this mode if you are using an SMTS-L that has a MiniLink or CommLink installed and you have more than one SMTS-L. When selecting an address between 1 and 60, be certain not to duplicate an address on the local loop.
3.  Verify Dipswitch Settings 

   • This applies to controllers VCCX-2, IP, 454, VCB-X:

     

   • This applies to controllers such as VCM-X, and VCM (older controllers):

     
     
     
   • Dipswitch 1 controls the high speed/low speed setting.
   • Crucial Note: If you have multiple controllers on a loop, they all need to be on the same speed setting (i.e., high or low).
4.  Check Wiring and Voltages 

   1. These are other various items to check or note:

      • Power Cycle: Power cycle anytime you make a change to the jumpers or dipswitches on the back to be safe.
      • Wiring Integrity: Ensure the Wattcomm terminals are all wired correctly and are tight. It is easily overlooked, but avoid crossing your T and R wires.
      • Voltage Check: Check voltages between R-SH and T-SH. You should measure between 2.4–3.2 vdc (wired and unwired).
      • Hardware Replacement: If the measured voltages are below the 2.4–3.2 vdc range, the whole touchscreen must be replaced, as you cannot replace the comm driver chip on these boards.