RE: Clipsal C- Bus2 information wanted

["Rob Mouser" <rmouser@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Kevin (& All)

As you know I am an avid c-bus supporter and am slowly integrating it
into my barn.
As you rightly say there is a distinct lack of technical documentation
on c-bus available on the web, infact I would go as far to say that
Clipsals web offerings are generally very poor in total.
I think it is also fair to say that until recently Clipsal UK have not
had the staffing or technical back-up (or even stock) to push C-bus in
the UK but that is beginning to change and now they have some dedicated
staff including a dedicated tech guy. As you have discovered though they are keeping their cards very close to their chest, I recall one
conversation with their technical guy which went something like:

"Well if you become an accredited installer I'll tell you the answer&q= uot;

They still see C-bus as a commercial 'energy management' application to
a large extent but again their views are beginning to change and the
introduction of their home control and alarm systems in the UK will I
think see that change further, it is just beginning to be introduced
now.

You are right they are very keen to keep their format V.tight for
exactly the reasons you state. I think though as time goes on as is
always the case with many manufacturers ranges it will become
main-stream and by definition less tight. If they do manage to produce a 'standard' in lighting control this IMO can only be good but they are a
long way off that.

Finally I would also be interested to know who else is using it.

IMHO it is excellent and is TOTALLY stable and reliable in every sense.
Despite what Clipsal would have you believe its also very easy to
install, programming can be a little tiresome but that's mainly down to
their software being less than logical with less than useful help files. >From a price point of view I don't thing its that expensive. e.g. If you take the 8 channel din rail dimmer it retails at =A3363.00 +VAT does the same job as 8 LD11's which cost =A329.78 + VAT each (=A3238.24), yes OK =A3= 120
more but without being disrespectful to x-10 in a different league. Its
really down to requirements and budget.It's also fair to say that c-bus
does not lend itself well to retro fit scenarios.

All just my two peneth worth!

P.S.    Mark, I promise that when I have more time I will wr= ite a review
for the site. Just don't hold me to timescales at present!


Many Thanks
Rob
Rob Mouser
rmouser@xxxxxxx
rob@xxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Hawkins [mailto:lists@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 21 September 2002 11:54
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx Subject: [ukha_d] Clipsal C- Bus2 information wanted


   Does anyone have any information on the actual protocol that C= lipsal
use in C-Bus2 (or even just C-Bus) ? Have had a search on the internet
and it seems fairly sparse. I would be particularly interested if anyone has the C-Bus technical manual or documentation or has any experience of the C-gate software for system integrators.

    This information is obviously available in some form as = the Comfort
C-Bus UCM was developed to integrate with it. Maybe that's the route
I'll go.

    It seems they've done a fairly good job of keeping this = a
proprietary format , which in my opinion is a shame but I expect they
don't want low cost products eroding the market share from their very
expensive (but very good) own offerings.

    Would also be interested in knowing who actually uses th= is stuff
within the UKHA group.

    Kevin