I’m at the limits of my knowledge here, @JPB, but have you installed configuration software for the TCP232-306? I found that the supplied software didn’t work, so used https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/RS485_TO_ETH_Software instead. This should give you the screen like this:
Let me know if you get to this point, and I may be able to help you with setting the parameters on the right hand side. I think that “Remote Port” is not relevant, you only need to set “Local Port” (which you also set up in the VCOM as described above).
Thanks Sarah….really appreciate your help,. I’ve downloaded the waveshare software and it looks like your screenshot but can’t add or make it acess anything at the moment but going to have to switch off for now as new transformer for kitchen LED’s just arrived! Didn’t realize buying a Samsung ASHP would lead to such a new path of learning!
[Edit: The following may be only 95% correct - for the remaining 5% see what ChatGPT says in the following post…]
When you have a mo, @JPB, let’s first check out your RS485 adapter:
Connect the adapter to your computer’s ethernet port. (If it’s too far away from your computer just power it down and disconnect the RS485 cable.)
Power it up and execute the configuration software you’ve installed. When you hit Search Device it should discover the adapter but the display will show 192.168.0.7 (the factory default) rather than the 192.168.1.7 shown on my second screenshot. You will need to reset this to match your router/extender.
I’m fairly certain that you should configure your adapter to match your range extender rather than your router. So your parameters will be Type = Static IP, ModuleStaticIP = 192.168.68.nnn where nnn is an unused address on your network, SubnetMask = 255.255.255.0, Gateway = 192.168.68.57, others parameters as per my screenshot above.
Hit “Save Config” and on the left display you should see something like “Data has been sent” followed by one or more “Ack” (acknowledges).
If you get this, you have successfully configured your adapter and can move on to setting up the VCOM port.
Thanks Sarah…..I’d sort of reached the same conclusion that it was a really basic problem like that. I was starting to go through the Re220 manual when your reply arrived and it makes sense. So I pasted the chat gpt reply to Claude, which I occasionally use and its come back with this….Thought Id share it with you as its all leariinging….not sure I going to have time to do much about it today though………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Brilliant! ChatGPT (via Sarah) has nailed the problem!
The issue is: Your USR adapter is still on its factory IP 192.168.0.7, but your network is 192.168.68.x - so they can’t talk to each other!
Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Access the USR adapter’s web interface You need to temporarily connect your PC to the same network as the adapter:
Unplug the Ethernet cable from your PC to router
Manually set your PC’s IP to 192.168.0.100 (temporarily, to match the adapter’s network)
Go to Network Settings → Ethernet adapter → Properties → IPv4 → Use the following IP
IP: 192.168.0.100
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Plug the Ethernet cable into the RE220 (where the USR adapter is connected)
@SarahH Found a problem thanks to Claude…the pc was plugged into the BT router rather than the Deco so it was not on the same network…
Hardware all connected: USR-TCP232-306 wired to F1/F2, connected via RE220 at 192.168.68.57 but cannot connect…still something missing
Now you have confused me @JPB. Do you have two routers (TCP Deco and BT)? Which one is connected to the TCP232-306 and which one is connected to your computer? And does your computer talk to its router via Ethernet or wifi?
Once we get that sorted out we can set about configuring your 306 properly (your port parameters will be meaningless to SNET for example, and from memory a BT router has an IP of 192.168.1.254, so your Gateway will need to be changed too).
guide you through the whole process.
. Let us know when you have SNET up and running.