Moving this to Facebook

At the end of every year we evaluate what has worked for us and what hasn't worked for us.  Remembering to write something on this blog just hasn't worked well for us.  It's not in our face everyday.  Late in the evening when the kids are in bed and we are exhausted we'll remember that we need to write something on our blog...but who has the energy to write something useful then.  Usually we just relax and maybe see what's on Facebook instead.


So for this year we are going to try using a Facebook page for our work.  The idea still hasn't really grown on me, but this hasn't worked so well either.  So please take a moment to like us below and wish us luck.

New Video: Voltage simulation on the Analog Current Simulator Generator and Tester

We created a video to show how to operate our Analog Simulator Professional in voltage mode.  It can be purchased at the following link.
http://www.theautomationstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=4&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Electronics Recycling

After years of working in the drinking and industrial waste water industries we understand the importance of proper electronics disposal.
 
We will gladly accept electronic components for recycling from our existing customers.


Click the link below to find out more information
http://www.theautomationstore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=102&Itemid=2

Encoder Simulator

After many request by our customers to develop a pulse generator for testing devices such as encoders and flow meters we have developed our new Encoder Simulator line.  These are available in 5 to 24VDC open collector and 5V TTL differential line driver options.

http://www.theautomationstore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=101&Itemid=2

Control panel building with Wendel

This is what every control panel shop should look like.  We have a nice building for assembling components, but it's so much more fun on the front porch with Wendel.

I am so thankful that God provides enough for us to have days like this.

1 year and 2 months later, transition of twcontrols.com is finally complete!

Our website as gone through many changes over the years, and grew until it finally had to be split into three separate sites to refocus.  It has taken one year and two months to distribute the information but it is finally done.  The Automation Store where you can find all our great products and services, WikiPLC which is a wealth of information about anything automation or electrical maintenance related, and PLC Tools who's products are so popular we can't fill all the orders.

But when we distributed the articles, products, and other content to the three sites there were some things that just didn't fit any of the new sites.  Most were special personal messages and feats about our company.  Here you will find them along with major corporate announcements.
http://www.twcontrols.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=43&Itemid=90

Aquaponics Project Primer

What is an aquaponics system?  I'll write more about this when I detail the construction of my system, but pretty much it is a system that pumps water out of a tank into planters and then the water drains back into the tank.  You raise fish in the tank and plant vegetables in the planters.  The fish fertilize the plants and the plants and soil filter the water for the fish.  The goal is a symbiotic environment.

Now what is an aquaponics project doing on an automation blog?  Well first, this blog is meant to be about the people behind The Automation Store, and we take pride in providing healthy meals for our family.  Also I hope to use it for therapy to calm the nerves and relax the mind after a long day at work.

Of course for those of you who don't know me that well I have the attention span of a gnat so starring at plants and watching them grow isn't my idea of relaxation.

At the same time we are looking at adding a microcontroller product line to The Automation Store.  Microcontrollers are pretty much miniature computers that have inputs and outputs for switches, motors, pumps,sensors, etc built in.  I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with them so I thought I would use this as an opportunity to familiarize myself with these controllers.

My initial plan is to try to monitor water levels, sunlight, soil moisture content, pH,  temperature and some other variables and use these to determine how much and when to water the plants and adjust the temperature accordingly to produce higher crop yields and reduce water usage.

Later I might geek out and add some remote monitoring...oh might as well make it web based...so that we can monitor these values remotely, turn on pumps, maybe even send you a text message when your tomatoes are ripe (red).

Tim
The Automation Store

NEW - Allen Bradley Micrologix Programming Cable with 90 Degree Round Connector!

We are now offering an Allen Bradley Micrologix Programming Cable with 90 Degree Round Connector!  This will allow you to close the programming cable door with the cable attached.
http://www.theautomationstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=47&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Who are we?

We've shared this many times with our customer but who is The Automation Store?  We are made up of five small family owned businesses.  Three husband and wifes, one father and son, and one other individual.  We are not a huge company.  We don't have a million items or a million dollars in inventory.  But each item is assembled, tested, and packaged with pride by one of us.

When you call us, there is a good chance you will hear kids playing (hopefully quietly) in the background.  Sometimes they aren't quiet and that's life.  Even when they are quiet if you listen after we say goodbye to you chances are you will hear them shout "I QUIET" looking for praise for being quiet during the phone conversation.  We haven't got them to understand that it takes a few seconds after we say goodbye to hang up the phone.  Maybe it adds to the experience of ordering from us and helps you realize what The Automation Store is all about.

Weekend getaway

Amber surprised me with a weekend getaway at an old flour mill in Quicksburg, VA.  The owner had converted the old grain storage house into a bed & breakfast.  An absolutely beautiful setting overlooking a creek which used to drive the flour mill. 

The perfect weekend for a guy who struggles to stay away from technology. We spent Saturday just riding around and enjoying each other's company.  This old covered bridge was a neat find

Joan, the owner of the mill was an excellent hostess and saw to it that everything was just right for a nice getaway.  If you are interested in a weekend away visit her at:
http://www.allstarlodging.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataID=26966

The inside of the bed & breakfast

An old gas burning stove that had been turned into a TV stand...not sure the purpose of the TV but the stand was neat.

The leg lamp.  A little classier version of a favorite prop of "A Christmas Story"

The breast lamp...hey sometimes you just have to call them the way you see em.

Shipping Options

Just had an extremely passionate customer insist that we use a different shipping method than those that we offer.  Domestically our shipping options are USPS Priority and Express.  There are no exceptions.  There are many reasons for this.  For one we ship from multiple locations and not all of our locations are capable of all of other shipping options.  So if you order product C be shipped via UPS and it comes from location A that only does Fedex then what are we suppose to do?  Also sometimes are are short staffed because of other automation projects.  In these instances we keep an emergency supply of products with us just to help us serve our customers better.  Depending on where we are there may not be a UPS or Fedex shipping location, but chances are you can find a post office.

I hear lots of people complain about the post office, in fact I was one of those people not too long ago.  Yet I have become truly amazed by their timeliness and believe most of the complaints are just because they are a government entity.  We can ship via USPS priority mail in 2 to 3 days anywhere in the US for the same price that you pay for 5 to 7 days delivery via UPS or FedEx.  Express mail is fairly timely, overnight to most locations.  There is a plan in place to offer UPS Next Day Air but there are still a few logistical issues to overcome at one of our locations.  We will not offer this service until we can assure our customers that next day is truly next day every time.

There is also an 11:00AM cutoff for shipping.  When you order a product from us, we don't simply smack it in a box and throw it on the truck.  If a product has any type of electronic components then it must be tested before it ships to assure quality.  We are also not just sitting around waiting for an order to come in.  The products that we manufacture are being built, surplus supplies are being sorted through and tested,  custom controls are being built and much more.  Express mail orders are always moved to the front of the line.  So we take the worst case Express mail backlog we have and back figure to our cutoff.  Even with a 11AM cutoff we have just squeezed our packages in before the shipping deadline.  Again, we will not move the cutoff forward if we are not sure that urgent packages will go out the same day.

If you are reading this at 2:00PM and you urgently need something then I know it's not what you want to hear, but hopefully it helps clarify our position.
Tim

Allen Bradley Controllogix 1756-BA2 Replacement Battery Now Available

We are now offering a 1756-BA2 replacement battery.

This is a direct replacement battery for Allen Bradley ControlLogix PLC Battery 1756-BA2

This is a 1 cell lithium battery designed to work in Allen Bradley 1756-L61 Series B, 1756-L62 Series B, 1756-L63 Series B, 1756-L64 Series B, and 1756-L65 Series B.

http://www.theautomationstore.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=192&category_id=64&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2