Using the ITL Pump Simulator (MPPSim)

Making a cable

The Enabler Developer's kit includes a test cable which connects between The Enabler and COM1 on a PC running the ITL Pump Simulator Software based simulator which is also included in the Developer's Kit. To make an additional or replacement cable, make the following connections:

Note: these connections are for the first port, Port 1, on the Enabler. You must use Port 1 to use this cable. To use other ports (2, 3, 4), other pins on the Enabler DB25 connector must be used.

Enabler configuration

The Pump Simulator (MPPSim.EXE) is designed to simulate the operation of one or more pumps. Just the same as connecting to real pumps, you must configure The Enabler correctly for the simulator to work.

The Enabler installation defaults provide a configuration with four pumps to communicate with the ITL Pump Simulator. If you need to get back to that state, or check the configuration is correct, do the following:

1. Start the Enabler Configuration program (EnbConfig.exe in c:\enabler directory)
2. Go to the Ports Tab
3. On the first row (Port 1), set the Protocol to "MPP Simulator"
   
4. Go to the Pumps Tab
5. Make sure you have at least 4 pumps, number 1 - 4. If not, click "Add Pump" until you have 4 pumps.
6. For each pump:
1. Set "Name" to match the number e.g. Pump number 1 = "Pump 1"
2. Set "Port" to "Port 1"
3. Set "Polling address" to the same as the pump number, e.g. Pump number 1 has Polling address 1
4. Set "Type" to "MPP Sim"
5. For new versions of Enabler Configuration, Set "Display format" to Value to "0.00", Volume to "0.000" and Price to "0.000"
   
6. For old versions of Enabler Configuration, Set "Display format" to "9.999$/L - $9999.99 - 999.999L"
   
7. If you are using ITL Pump Simulator version 2.8.1 (or later), the simulator price display format menu can be used to select a different price format for larger grade prices.
8. Make sure the pump has 4 hoses. The tank/grade is not important, for example you can setup more than one hose with the same grade.
7. Restart the pump server

Remember to check that the settings on the Pumps tab are set correctly for each pump that you have setup.

You don't need all four pumps set up; in fact you can test with a single pump setup, but it is better to be sure.

Test the System

• Make sure the cable is connected between the serial (COM) port and the Enabler
• Run the pump simulator program (MPPSim.EXE in C:\ENABLER)
• Some versions of MPPSim create only one pump window at startup, go to the "Commands" menu to add more pumps
  (newer versions create 4 by default).
• Select the correct COM port in the File menu (default is COM1).
• Make sure the Enabler pump server is running.
• Run the Demonstration POS (PumpDemo.EXE in C:\ENABLER)
• You should see 4 pump icons indicating idle pumps, which look like a nozzle:
  
• If all of the icons displayed by the Demonstration POS are crossed icons, like this:
  
  then you don't have the cable or configuration correct. Recheck everything above.
• If the Demonstration POS shows a mixture of icons (some normal, some crossed) check that the simulator window displays the same number of pumps as you have configured in Enabler.
• If you cannot get it working, try changing to another Enabler card or running the Enabler diagnostics.

After checking all the above, feel free to contact us. Make sure you include the Enabler logfiles. However, 99% of problems with the simulator are due to configuration or cable problems. Note that real pumps can be more difficult to configure, so you need to understand at least all the above.

If you want to perform testing with more pumps, you need to make sure you perform all of the following steps:

• Add pump to Enabler Configuration.
• Add another pump in the ITL Pump Simulator (using the Command menu).
• If you have changed The Enabler Port protocols you need to restart The Pump Server to activate the new port configuration.