Controller Talk

It's been a little while since our last episode, but Controller Talk is back with a new discussion focused on one of the most useful time-saving tools in the SM 800A platform: Software Wizards.

In this episode, Dave Yoder and Chris Brown walk through how SM 800A Wizards can simplify common configuration tasks, reduce manual setup time, and help ensure consistency across your refrigeration control system.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

In this episode of Controller Talk North America, Dave Yoder and Chris Brown discuss how Danfoss variable frequency drives (VFDs) can be connected to System Manager 800 and 800A controllers, with a focus on best practices and real‑world considerations for North American supermarket and warehouse applications.

Chris and Dave cover what’s required to bring a drive online, including communications hardware, software compatibility, addressing, and network wiring. They explain what system managers can and can’t do once a drive is connected and why a proper commissioning process is critical for reliable communication.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

In this episode of the Controller Talk North America Podcast, Dave Yoder and Chris Brown cover low voltage wiring best practices for supermarket and warehouse refrigeration systems across the US and Canada.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

In this episode of the Controller Talk North America Podcast, Dave Yoder and Chris Brown break down practical dos and don’ts for working with the SM 800A in supermarket and warehouse applications across the US and Canada.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

Dive into the latest updates of the SM 800A with version 4.2.4. This episode covers the new communication features for LON devices, the addition of Comm Stats tab, and the importance of strong passwords for compliance. Discover tips and tricks for troubleshooting Ethernet connections and explore the new Modbus options for connecting to HGM-MZ and CO2-MZ.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

In this episode, Dave Yoder and Chris Brown break down the XM 208C Stepper Module, covering its key features, valve compatibility, and new approval for use with System Manager 800A (v4.2+). They also share troubleshooting tips, take on a “Stump Chris” challenge, and wrap up with listener mail.

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

🎙️ In this last episode of Controller Talk Season 3 (don't worry, we'll be back in autumn to share more wisdom!), Dave and Chris break down everything you need to know about Modbus nodes and the SM800A controller — from wiring to baud rates, scan ranges and more! They also explain the differences between Modbus 1 and Modbus 2 and answer the burning question of whether they are interchangeable or not.

Perfect for techs and system designers working with Danfoss controls or Modbus communication.

🎉 And that's a wrap! Huge thanks to all our listeners for your support throughout our third season! It’s been an amazing ride — we couldn’t have done it without you. Stay curious, stay connected, and most importantly, stay tuned for Season 4! 👊🎧

#HVACR #Refrigeration #ControllerTalk #HVACControls #Modbus #SM800A #Danfoss

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

Audio & video engineer + copy wiz: Maria Sburlan.

Ever wondered what grocery shopping looks like for a refrigeration expert? Spoiler alert: It’s cooler than you think! 🥶

Join Dave and Chris for an engaging and insightful chat with Trevor Matthews, founder of Refrigeration Mentor, as they dive into the frosty world of supermarket refrigeration. With years of experience in the HVAC and refrigeration industry, Trevor is dedicated to helping professionals level up their skills in troubleshooting, maintenance, and system design.

In this episode, our dream team covers everything from the challenges of working in refrigeration and the perks of the job, to the best practices and training tips to sharpen your skills. Whether you’re already in the industry or considering a career change, this episode is packed with expert advice and insider insights you won’t want to miss!

To learn more about Refrigeration Mentor, visit refrigerationmentor.com!

Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 🚀

#HVACR #Refrigeration #ControllerTalk #HVACControls

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

Audio & video engineer + copy wiz: Maria Sburlan.

In this episode of Controller Talk, Dave and Chris dive into pack controller oil management, exploring key concepts like moving oil from the separator to the receiver.

Learn about using one or two oil separators, relay pulses, level switch options, pressure-based control, and alarm setups. Plus, get insights on COM 10 and COM 20 compressor oil management devices.

Tune in for expert tips on optimizing your system's performance and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 🚀

#HVACR #Refrigeration #ControllerTalk #HVACControls

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

Audio & video engineer + copy wiz: Maria Sburlan.

In this episode of the Controller Talk Podcast, we tackle the thrilling adventure of upgrading from the ancient AK-SC 255 system controller to the futuristic AK-SM 800A System Manager. Will your nodes be compatible? Will your database files survive the transfer? Will you remember your password after setting it? We’ve got all the answers (or do we?)!

Join hosts Chris and Dave as we navigate the setup wizard, wrestle with IP addresses, and decode the mysteries of Ethernet settings. If you're upgrading, planning to, or just enjoy hearing about other people’s technical struggles, this episode is for you!

Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode—because let’s be honest, you’ll probably need this guide again! 🚀

#HVACR #Refrigeration #ControllerTalk #HVACControls

Note: We had a bit of a technical issue with Dave's mic this episode, so he may sound a little funny. It will be fixed for our next recording. Enjoy today's show!

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The Controller Talk Podcast, presented by Danfoss North America, is hosted by Food Retail Tech Support experts Dave Yoder and Chris Brown, highlighting best practices for utilizing Danfoss controls in the supermarket and warehouse industries that you won't find in any manual.

Drop us an email with suggestions for topics to cover, questions to answer, or comments to discuss on future episodes!

[email protected].

For more information and additional episodes of the Controller Talk podcast, visit https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/controller-talk/id1617965227), Spotify (https://controllertalk.captivate.fm/spotify) and Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vY29udHJvbGxlcnRhbGs?ep=14).

Audio & video engineer + copy wiz: Maria Sburlan.