I use UNO r4/ uno to code and control my layout , my layout has snap turnouts /manual turn outs, layout blocks etc etc, I have one uno/r4 that reads inputs one uno writes outputs. the track is controlled by relays for the snap turnouts and servo for the manual turnouts, block speed and directions are controlled by L298N ( these are dual ports so i can do 2 blocks at once).
I want to change all that to PLC OPTA control.
If anyone has already done that, i would appreciate some feedback on how you did that and what you had to overcome to achieve that.
PS on a side note : i would like to start test on a used or pre owned OPTA and not a new OPTA since if i break something it does not hurt as much as breaking a new one , any ideas where i can get my hands on a used one, yes we all impulse buy stuff that just ends up in the what was i thinking draw and i sure i can find a good home for some OPTA/Mega/UNO controllers LOL
Can the opta PWM or analog write for speed control? I thought the opta was inputs with digital (on or off) outputs.
I just found THIS PAGE that has an analog expansion for the opta.
in my normal life I write c++ / c# applications that read PLC / Databases to move overhead cranes , I don't write the PLC logic because thats what the engineers are 4 , I write all the front end and database logic. The reason I want to change the way my trains work is so that i can get better knowledge of coding PLC, I want to add in person training for c# application/databases and PLC , Arduino has the tools that make it financially possible
That makes sense. I can't help you with that.
There is an Opta subforum here @ Official Hardware>>Opta
Your query may be better posted there.
thank you for that information, I reposted it there 
I have deleted your other post on the same subject @genedhc.
Crossposting is against the Arduino Forum rules. The reason is that duplicate posts can waste the time of the people trying to help. Someone might spend a lot of time investigating and writing a detailed answer on one topic, without knowing that someone else already did the same in the other topic.
Repeated crossposting can result in a suspension from the forum.
In the future, please only create one topic for each distinct subject matter. This is basic forum etiquette, as explained in the "How to get the best out of this forum" guide. It contains a lot of other useful information. Please read it.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Please be careful to avoid encouraging people to crosspost. If a different forum category is more appropriate for a topic, the correct thing to do is to change the category.
Self-Service Recategorization
The topic author can do that by clicking the pencil icon they will see appear if they hover the mouse pointer over the title at the top of the topic:
They will then see a menu that can be opened to display a list of all the categories:
After selecting, the appropriate category, just click the ✓ to commit the category change:
Recategorization by Moderator
In the case where the topic author is not able to change the category, or when a forum member notices a topic that has a blatantly inappropriate categorization, you can request the moderators take care of the recategorization.
The moderation team cares very much about keeping the forum tidy, so are always happy to adjust categorization as needed when problems are brought to our attention by the community.
You can do that by the following procedure:
- Click the ⚑ icon at the bottom of the first post in the topic.
The "Thanks for keeping our community civil!" dialog will open. - Select the "Something Else" radio button in the dialog.
A "Let us know specifically what you are concerned about..." field will appear. - Type a message into the field that explains the situation with the miscategorization to the moderator who will be reviewing your flag.
- Click the "Message" button at the bottom of the dialog.
thank you assisting in moving this post to the correct forum, Hopefully there is no cross posting on the post
Roger that. I didn't know I could change someone's category.
@scottcalv You might not be able to recategorise other's topics until you get to a higher trust level on the forum. I can do it, for example, even though I'm not a moderator.
But I think everyone can recategorise their own topics.
Further to what PaulRB has just said:
You need to get to Trust Level 3 -- Regular, before you can change other people's category.
understanding-discourse-trust-levels