Auto-Zone Control Systems USB-Link 2 User Manual

www.wattmaster.com

USB-Link 2 Code: SS0073 Version 4.11 and up

USB-Link 2

Technical Guide

Table of Contents

General Information ......................................................................................................................................... 3

USB-Link 2 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................3

System Requirements ..................................................................................................................................................................3

Quick Guide ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

USB-Link 2 Driver Installation Instructions .................................................................................................... 5

Connection and Wiring .................................................................................................................................... 6

Finding the COM Port Number ......................................................................................................................... 7

Prism 2 Setup Instructions .............................................................................................................................. 8

Communication Settings and LED Descriptions ........................................................................................... 10

USB-Link 2 Switch Settings........................................................................................................................................................10

USB-Link 2 LED Descriptions ....................................................................................................................................................10

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Troubleshooting T ips .................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Changing the USB COM Port Number .......................................................................................................................................12

Verifying CommLink II, CommLink III, and MiniLink EPROM Software Versions .......................................................................13

WattMaster Controls, Inc.
8500 NW River Park Drive · Parkville, MO 64152
Toll Free Phone: [phone]
PH: [phone] · FAX: [phone] · E-mail: [e-mail]
Visit our website at www.wattmaster.com
Form: WM-USBLII-TGD-01E © October 2014 WattMaster Controls, Inc.
Windows
Corporation.
WattMaster Controls, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
This document is subject to change without notice.

®

XP , Vista, Windows® 7 & 8 are registered trademarks of Microsoft

USB-Link 2

General Information

USB-Link 2 Overview

The USB-Link 2 (OE366) is a portable device that is used as an interface
to connect your computer to WattMaster controllers without the need
for a CommLink.

The USB-Link 2 provides a direct link to enable you to view the status
and confi gure and adjust the setpoints of any controller on the control
system communications loop using Prism 2 graphical front end com­puter software.

The USB-Link 2 is small in size and is powered by the USB port of the
computer it is plugged into, making it completely portable and allowing
connection to the system from any controller.

The USB-Link 2 is supplied with a USB cable, a mini-DIN male
communication cable, and two mini-DIN to terminal adapters. The
communication cable allows you to walk up to any controller that has
a communication socket and plug in the USB-Link 2 to gain access to
the system. The adapters are used for boards that do not have a female
mini-DIN plug connection.

CAUTION: The USB-Link 2 will not work with Prism software.

It will only work with Prism 2 software.

Female 6 Pin
Mini-DIN
Connector

1.06”

Top End View of USB-Link 2

2.31”

Communication
Speed Switch

LED - Typical

3.63”

STANDALONE

NETWORK

System Requirements

To enable the USB-Link 2 to work with Prism 2, you will need:

• USB-Link 2 with USB cable, mini-DIN male
communication cable, and adapters for terminal and
modular connections (cables and adapters provided)

• USB drivers on CD-ROM (supplied with USB-Link 2 but

also downloadable from any of our websites). Make sure to

install the drivers before connecting the USB-Link 2 to
your computer.

• PC with USB 1.1 or 2.0 port (supplied by others)

• Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, 7, or 8

• Prism 2 software version 4.0.4 or later (supplied with USB­ Link 2 but also downloadable from any of our websites)

Networked Systems Only

• CommLink(s) with software v3.15 or later and/or Mini
Link(s) with software v3.14 or later.

Please note: If these devices contain earlier software

versions, you will need to order updated EPROMs from

WattMaster. See Troubleshooting on page 13 for further

instructions.

Configuration
Switch

Front View of USB-Link 2

Female Type B
USB Connector

Bottom End View of USB-Link

Figure 1: Top, Front, and Bottom Views of the
USB-Link 2

Technical Guide

Revised 10/27/14

3

USB-Link 2

Quick Guide

Important Notes

 Follow the included USB-Link 2 driver installation

instructions (page 5).

 Follow the connection and wiring instructions

(Figure 2, page 6) to connect and confi gure the

USB-Link 2.

 If you use your USB-Link 2 on a network and after

installation you cannot view all controllers, you may
need an EPROM upgrade in your CommLink(s) and/
or MiniLink(s). See Troubleshooting in the back of

this guide on page 13 for further instructions.

 Familiarize yourself with all system components and

review all documentation. Pay special attention to
“Cautions,” “Notes,” and “Warnings” since these may
keep you from experiencing unnecessary problems.

 If you encounter any problems, please refer to the

Troubleshooting section of this guide fi rst. If you
can’t resolve the problem, please call WattMaster
Technical Support at our toll free number—
1-866-918-1100.

Quick Guide

Follow the fi ve steps below to get your USB-Link 2 up and running
in no time.

WARNING: You must install the USB drivers (Step 3 below)

before connecting the USB-Link 2 to your computer (Step 4 below).

Step 1: Set your USB-Link 2’s confi guration switch to Stand

Alone or Network (Figure 3, page 10).

Step 2: Set your USB-Link 2’s communication speed switch to

Low Speed or High Speed (Figure 3, page 10).

Step 3: Install the USB drivers from the included CD-ROM onto

your computer.

Step 4: Attach the USB cable to your USB-Link 2 and plug

the other end of the cable into your computer’s

USB port (Figure 2,page 6).

Step 5: Attach the communication cable to your USB-Link 2

and connect the other end of the cable to the

Controller’s communication port (Figure 2,page 6).

Step 6: Install the included Prism 2 software on your

computer (page 8).

4

Revised 10/01/12

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

USB Driver Installation

USB Serial Converter and Serial Port
Driver Installation

The internal USB communication port of the USB-Link 2 uses a
specialized driver that must be installed on your Windows PC before
communication to the device can be established.

NOTE: You may already have this driver installed on your PC if

you are using a CommLink 5.

1. Before you begin, you must determine if your computer
is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. Open the System
information by clicking the

<Control Panel>, and clicking <System>. Under

System, you can view the system type. Based on what
type of system you have, you will choose 32_Bit.exe or

64_Bit.exe from the list of fi les shown in Step 10.

2. Insert the USB Drivers CD-ROM into your CD-ROM
drive or download the USB Drivers fi le from www.
orioncontrols.com/a/software/. If using the CD-ROM,
go to Step 7. If downloading the fi le, you will need to
scroll down the page until you fi nd “USB Drivers For
All Products” to download the driver fi les.

<Start> button, clicking

9. Double-click the folder “USBLink NewSS0073”.

10. The following list of fi les will display. Choose 32_Bit.
exe or 64_Bit.exe based on what type of system you

determined you have in Step 1.

3. Right click on “Click Here.” Then click

As> or <Save Target As> and select Desktop as the

destination.

4. Go to the “USB-DRIVERS-ALL.exe” fi le on your desk-
top. Double-click on this fi le and choose “Run” from the
options list. The following window will appear:

5. Select

6. Next, go to the C:\Temp\WM-USB-Drivers folder and

7. Click your

<Unzip> and the fi le will be unzipped to the

folder C:\Temp\WM-USB-Drivers folder by default.

now go to Step 9.

<Start> button and then click, <Computer>.

<Save Link

11. In the window that pops up, shown below, click

and the installation program will walk you through the
rest of the steps.

12. When successful installation has occurred, connect the
USB cable between the PC and the USB-Link 2. The
PC will automatically recognize the device and a COM
port will be assigned.

verify the Comm Port.

Follow the procedures on page 7 to

<Next>

8. Double-click on your CD-ROM drive. Open the Media

Files Folder.

Technical Guide

Revised 10/24/14

5

USB-Link 2

Connection and Wiring

Notes:

1. For Networked Systems, In The Event That Your CommLink II or III
Has An EPROM Software Version Earlier Than 3.15
Has An EPROM Software Version Earlier Than 3.14
EPROM Upgrade Before You Can View All Controllers On Your System.
See Troubleshooting For More Information. The Meantime, In O

To View A Single Controller Using Prism II,

Communication Loop From The Controller Your USB-Link Is Plugged
Into

, S

et The USB-Link Configuration Switch To Stand Alone, Set The
Type Of CommLink In Prism II To USB Link Stand Alone, And Cycle
Power By Disconnecting And Reconnecting the USB Power Supply Cable.

Or Your MiniLink

, You Will Need An

In

rder

You Must Disconnect The

Mini-DIN Cable

PL101904

Supplied With USB-Link 2

Adapter

T
SHLD
R

Connect The USB-Link 2

- IN Female

Mini D Cable To The

Mini D Plug

- IN Connector On

Controllers That Are Supplied

With Them.

Connected To The System

NOTE:

Communications With

Controllers That Are

See Note 1.

This Allows

Mini-DIN Cable

Supplied With

USB-Link

Connect Mini-DIN Cable End

To Mini-DIN Port On USB-Link.

USB-Link 2

All

PL101904

Use The Adapter To Plug In To A Terminal Socket And Connect

The USB-Link 2 On Boards That Don’t Have A Female Mini-DIN Plug Connection.

This Only Allows Communications With The Board It Is Connected To

NOTE: .

.

Controller With

Mini-DIN Plug

Mini-DIN Cable

Use The Adapter And Wire To A Terminal Block

To Connect The USB-Link 2 To The Local Communications Loop

On Boards That Don’t Have A Female Mini-DIN Plug Connection.

NOTE:

PL101905

Supplied With USB-Link 2

P 101905L

This Allows Communications With

That Are Connected To The System

Adapter

All Controllers

. See Note 1.

T
SHLD

R

Computer
With Prism
2 Software

Installed

Communication Speed Switch

Must Be Set To Low or High Speed

NETWORK

STANDALONE

Depending on Your Controller’s

Or Network Depending On Your

Connect Type B Cable End

To USB Port On USB-Link 2.

USB Cable

Supplied With

USB-Link 2

Baud Rate.

Configuration Switch

Must Be Set To Stand Alone

Installation.

Figure 2: USB-Link 2 Connection & Wiring

6

Connect Type A Cable End To

USB Port On Desktop Or Laptop

NOTE:

Link 2 Must Be Installed On Your Computer

Personal Computer.

USB Drivers Supplied With The USB-

Before USB-Link 2 Can Be Used.

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Finding the COM Port Number

Finding What COM Port Number the
USB-Link 2 is Using

1. Left-click on <Start>, located on the bottom left of the
Windows toolbar. Select <Control Panel>. Double-click
the <System> icon.

2. Click the <Hardware> tab. Click the <Device

Manager> button.

3. Click on the plus sign next to Ports to see all of the COM

ports.

4. Locate the USB Serial Port (COM#). The COM# in
parentheses is the port it is located on. Write this COM port
number down. You will need to know this when setting up
the Prism 2 software.

5. If the COM port number is 10 or greater, go to
“Changing the USB COM Port Number” in the

Troubleshooting section on page 12; otherwise,
continue with the section “Prism 2 Setup” on page 8.

Technical Guide

7

USB-Link 2

Prism 2 Setup Instructions

Confi guring Prism 2 for the USB-Link 2

1. Insert your Prism 2 software CD and follow the steps in the

readme.txt fi le to install the software.

2. The instructions will tell you to create a

Prism 2.exe shortcut on your desktop. Click
on this icon to open your Prism 2 software.

3. Click the <Login> button and type in the level

3 User Name and password (default is “admin,
admin”). Click <Login>.

4. If Prism 2 is online, click the

<ON LINE> button to make it go
<OFFLINE>.

7. In the Serial Port fi eld, click on the pull down box and
select the COM port number that the USB-Link 2 is using.

8. In the Type of CommLink selection box, select the radio
button next to “CommLink 5 or USB Link II”.

9. In the Network Confi guration selection box, select the
mode for the USB-Link 2 you are using. If using stand
alone mode, select USB Link Stand Alone. If using network
mode, select USB Link Network. The position of the slide
switch on the USB-Link 2 must also be set to the mode you
are using (See Figure 3, page 10 for help in setting this
switch).

5. Click the <Job-Site> button to open the Job
Sites Window.

6. Click on any empty location in the Job-Sites Selection

Window and type in a job name in the Selected
Location fi eld. Press <Enter>.

Your job site name will now appear in the Job-Sites

Selection Window.

10. Click <Exit> to close out of the Job Sites Window.

11. Click the <OFFLINE> button to go

<ON LINE>.

8

Revised 10/24/14

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Prism 2 Setup Instructions

12. From the <Communications> menu on the main toolbar,

select

<Search for Units>.

13. The Search For Units Window will appear. If you haven’t

performed a previous search, the Loop Selection fi eld
will read 01 and the Current Unit will read 00. You can

perform a selective search by entering the loop number

you would like to search and checking Search ONLY the
Selected Loop. The Check Unit Maps box will already be

checked. Do not deselect this box. Deselecting it will cause
the search not to work.

16. If Units Found on this Loop stays at zero, check the

wiring to the USB-Link 2 and the controller and/or read
through these directions again to make sure all steps were
followed. Refer to the Troubleshooting Section in the back
of this guide for further help.

17. To stop a search, click

18. Once you are done searching for units, close out of the
window or click <Exit>.

19. A window will pop up that asks, “Do you want to save
the search results?” Click <Yes> if you wish to save the
results. Click <No> if not.

20. You can now access any installed unit from the Main Prism

2 Screen by selecting a loop from the Loop Selection
Window with a single-click and by selecting the unit from
the Unit Selection Window with a double-click.

<Cancel Search>.

14. Click <Start Search> to initiate an automatic

detection of all installed controllers on your system.

15. If everything is working correctly, Units Found on this
Loop should increment. You will also see green boxes

indicating units that have been found.

Technical Guide

9

USB-Link 2

Communication Settings and LED Descriptions

Communication
Speed Switch

Configuration
Switch

STAND ALONE

NETWORK

LEDs

Figure 3: USB-Link 2 Confi guration Switch, Communication Speed Switch, and LEDs

Communication Speed

NOTE: Whenever you change the confi guration or

communication speed setting on the USB-Link 2,
you must cycle the power to the USB-Link 2 by
disconnecting and reconnecting the USB power
supply cable.

USB-Link 2 Switch Settings

Confi guration Switch

The confi guration switch for stand alone or network mode is found to the

left of the LEDs. See Figure 3 above. To set the confi guration switch,

insert a pen tip to move the switch up or down.

Stand Alone - No MiniLink or CommLink - The slide switch

on the USB-Link 2 should be set to “Stand Alone” when you are
trying to talk to a stand alone controller or multiple controllers on
a loop without a CommLink or a MiniLink wired to the
communications loop.

Network - MiniLink or CommLink connection - The slide

switch on the USB-Link 2 should be set to “Network” any time
there is a CommLink or MiniLink wired to the communications
loop.

The communication speed switch for low or high speed is found to the

left of the LEDs. See Figure 3 above. To set the communication speed

switch, insert a pen tip to move the switch up or down.

Low Speed - The switch should be set to LOW if using an Orion

Controls System Controller.

High Speed - The switch should be set to HIGH if using an AZ2

System Controller.

USB-Link 2 LED Descriptions

COMM - Indicates communication activity between the USB-Link

2 and the controller(s) that the USB-Link 2 is connected to.
When this LED is fl ashing, data is being exchanged.

USB TX & USB RX - Indicates communication activity between

the USB-Link 2 and the computer that the USB-Link 2 is con­nected to. The LEDs will fl ash only when data is sent from Prism
2 to the USB-Link via USB.

10

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tips

Problems with Prism 2 Software

• Verify that the correct USB serial port created by the

USB connection is selected in the Job-Sites Window.
Verify the COM port number in

<System>,<Hardware>,<Device Manager>,
<Ports>.

• Verify that USB-Link 2 is selected for Type of CommLink

in the Job Sites Window.

• Verify that the correct USB-Link 2 mode is selected

under Network Confi guration in the Job-Sites Window.

Problems with USB Connection

• Verify that the USB-Link 2’s USB LEDs blink when you

perform a Search for Units or try to open a status screen in
Prism 2.

• If the USB-Link 2’s USB LEDs fail to blink, disconnect and

reconnect the USB connection.

<Control Panel>,

Problems with RS-485 Wiring

• Make sure T connects to T, R to R, and Shld to Shld if

multiple boards are wired together on a loop.

• Make sure that the USB-Link 2 mini-DIN communication

cable is plugged into a controller or wired to the local
side of the loop.

Problems Viewing Controllers on a Network

• Make sure that in Prism 2, USB Link Network is

selected under Network Confi guration in the Job-Sites

Window.

• Make sure that EPROM chips in CommLink II and III

are version 3.15 or later and in MiniLinks are version

3.14 or later.

NOTE: WattMaster Controls Technical Support cannot trouble-

shoot internal PC and/or Windows®-based operating
system problems.

• If the problem persists, check that the USB drivers

have been installed properly

Technical Guide

11

USB-Link 2

Troubleshooting the COM Port Number

Changing the USB COM Port Number

When the USB-Link 2 is fi rst plugged in, it will be assigned a COM port
number to be used for communicating with the Prism 2 software. If the
port number is 10 or greater, it needs to be changed to a value less than
10 to be recognized by Prism 2.

1. Click <Start>, click <Control Panel>, click

<System>, click the <Hardware> tab, and then click
<Device Manager> to get to the Device

Manager Window.

2. Click on the plus sign next to Ports to see all of the COM

ports.

4. To assign a port number less than 10, click on

<Advanced>. The Advanced Settings Window

will appear.

5. In the COM Port Number drop down box, select which

COM port you wish to use. Make sure you select a COM
port number that is not currently in use (you can see the
ports in use in the Device Manager Window). Select a port
that is less than 10.

NOTE: Windows

has ever been installed on your computer. So if there are
no available ports below 10, choose a port number less
than 10 for a device listed that you know you are not
currently using.

®

will assign a port number to every device that

3. Right-click on “USB Serial Port (COM#)” and select

<Properties>. In the Properties Window, select the
<Port Settings> tab.

6. Once you select the correct COM port number,

click <OK> and close any windows opened in the process
of changing the port number. Make note of this number
because you will need it for your Prism setup.

12

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Verifying CommLink II, CommLink III,
and MiniLink EPROM Software Versions

In order to view controllers with the USB-Link 2 on a networked
system, the CommLink II and III must have version 3.15 software or
later installed and the MiniLink must have version 3.14 software or
later installed. Please follow the directions to determine the current
software version.

NOTE: If you purchased your CommLink II, III, or MiniLink

after January 1, 2007, there is no reason to check the
software version nor is it necessary to check the soft­ ware version of a CommLink IV or 5.

Troubleshooting EPROM Software

Technical Guide

13

USB-Link 2

Troubleshooting EPROM Software

14

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Notes

Technical Guide

15

Form: WM-USBLII-TGD-01E Printed in the USA October 2014
All rights reserved. Copyright 2014

WattMaster Controls, Inc.  8500 NW River Park Drive  Parkville, MO  64152
Phone [phone] www.wattmaster.com Fax [phone]

USB-Link 2

USB Driver Installation

USB Serial Converter and Serial Port
Driver Installation

The internal USB communication port of the USB-Link 2 uses a
specialized driver that must be installed on your Windows PC before
communication to the device can be established.

NOTE: You may already have this driver installed on your PC if

you are using a CommLink 5.

1. Before you begin, you must determine if your computer
is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. Open the System
information by clicking the

<Control Panel>, and clicking <System>. Under

System, you can view the system type. Based on what
type of system you have, you will choose 32_Bit.exe or

64_Bit.exe from the list of fi les shown in Step 5 .

2. Open the WM USB Drivers folder.

<Start> button, clicking

6. In the window that pops up, shown below, click

and the installation program will walk you through the
rest of the steps.

7. When successful installation has occurred, connect the
USB cable between the PC and the USB-Link 2. The PC
will automatically recognize the device and a COM port
will be assigned.

to verify the Comm Port.

Follow the procedures on the next page

<Next>

3. Copy and paste the folder “USBLink NewSS0073” to a
location on your computer’s hard drive.

4. Locate the folder “USBLink NewSS0073” on your hard
drive and double-click on it.

5. The following list of fi les will display. Choose 32_Bit.
exe or 64_Bit.exe based on what type of system you

determined you have in Step 1.

Technical Guide

1

USB-Link 2

Finding the COM Port Number

Finding What COM Port Number the
USB-Link 2 is Using

1. Left-click on <Start>, located on the bottom left of the
Windows toolbar. Select <Control Panel>. Double-click
the <System> icon.

2. Click the <Hardware> tab. Click the <Device

Manager> button.

3. Click on the plus sign next to Ports to see all of the COM

ports.

4. Locate the USB Serial Port (COM#). The COM# in
parentheses is the port it is located on. Write this COM port
number down. You will need to know this when setting up
the Prism 2 software.

5. If the COM port number is 10 or greater, go to
“Changing the USB COM Port Number” in the
Troubleshooting section on page 12; otherwise,
continue with the section “Prism 2 Setup” on
the next page.

2

Technical Guide

USB-Link 2

Troubleshooting the COM Port Number

Changing the USB COM Port Number

When the USB-Link 2 is fi rst plugged in, it will be assigned a COM port
number to be used for communicating with the Prism 2 software. If the
port number is 10 or greater, it needs to be changed to a value less than
10 to be recognized by Prism 2.

1. Click <Start>, click <Control Panel>, click

<System>, click the <Hardware> tab, and then click
<Device Manager> to get to the Device

Manager Window.

2. Click on the plus sign next to Ports to see all of the COM

ports.

4. To assign a port number less than 10, click on

<Advanced>. The Advanced Settings Window

will appear.

5. In the COM Port Number drop down box, select which

COM port you wish to use. Make sure you select a COM
port number that is not currently in use (you can see the
ports in use in the Device Manager Window). Select a port
that is less than 10.

NOTE: Windows

has ever been installed on your computer. So if there are
no available ports below 10, choose a port number less
than 10 for a device listed that you know you are not
currently using.

®

will assign a port number to every device that

3. Right-click on “USB Serial Port (COM#)” and select

<Properties>. In the Properties Window, select the
<Port Settings> tab.

6. Once you select the correct COM port number,

click <OK> and close any windows opened in the process
of changing the port number. Make note of this number
because you will need it for your Prism setup.

Technical Guide

3