So I have a hydraulic unit I'm making some changes to. Really I'm changing out everything of importance. Ive got this kdg4v vickers proportional control valve and reading the manual looks like it does not have a built in amplifier.

The signal will start at a 24v joystick / lever. I thought maybe I could run it through the eaton easy e4 plc and straight to the Proportional valve but many are telling me that won't work?

So if not what else do I need? People are telling me an amplifier or control card. Most of those look like they have Computer Connections. I definitely don't want to tie this into a PC, so I'm just a little lost. If I do need a card, it need to be inside the electric box right next to the PLC.

I could also run through a VFD but my motor will be 15-20 HP and vfds start to get prohibitively expensive at that size. Specfic brands or model #s of what i need would help enough I could research the rest. Thanks!

 

As I understand you want to use those Vickers valves:

https://images.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@Eaton/@hyd/documents/content/pll_2099.pdf

If so, you do not need any PC to control them.
They said :

" The only electrical inputs required are power supply (24V) and a voltage command signal of 10V. Electrical connections are via a standard 7-pin plug"

You need a 24V ( 0.9-3.5A) and 10V 0.1A PSUs. First is to power the valve, second is to set the flow. Setting circuit can be as simple as a single 10 kOhm potentiometer. And, of course, you need the integral amplifier, contact Vickers for them