Re: CBUS in general (quite long!)

["Paul Robinson" <ukcueman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The clipsal cbus course would help you get your head around some of these
issues. It's
well worth it - and if you've already decided on cbus, then you may as well
do the course
first, and plan your upgrade path after.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Gordon" <paul@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 8:28 PM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] CBUS in general (quite long!)


>
> This thread has reminded me that I am supposed to be sorting out an
> upgrade to CBUS at my place too...
>
> It's something that was always at the back of my mind, and I have
> planned for it by providing CAT5 cable to all my lightswitch
> backboxes....
>
> Having had yet another recent annoying failure with X10 (my bedroom
fan
> has stopped responding to my bedside MT10 controller), I'm becoming
more
> motivated to pull my finger out and start actually doing some of the
> upgrades that I always planned for....
>
> So, in essence, I want to get up to speed with the latest info...
>
> Is the Clipsal course still the best way to get started?
> Do they still run it? - If so, where and how often, and who should I
> phone up to arrange it with?
> I want to upgrade piecemeal, - probably do a room at a time, starting
> with the master bedroom, then the lounge. I already have Clipsal
> momentary switches in these locations, wired back to X10 DIN modules,
so
> I guess I'd be happy to keep these switches & use bus couplers
> initially. However, I *really* want to get some of those Saturn
switches
> before long... - SEX ON A STICK!! - would it be as simple as swapping
> out the X10 DIN modules, and dropping in some CBUS DIN modules in
their
> place? - at least from the mains POV?
>
> Obviously I need a way of controlling/programming the CBUS network, I
> already have Comfort and Homeseer (with the xAP plugin) and these two
> are talking via a UCM & Patrick's Comfort-Homeseer plugin.
Additionally
> I have various other bits of HA kit including an Ocelot, a VIOM, and
> various X10 controllers about the place. I imagine there are numerous
> combinations of control possibilities available with that lot!
>
> I've also no objection to buying additional dedicated CBUS hardware
for
> control purposes if I need to, but I just can't decide/figure out how
I
> want to approach it!!! (kid in a sweetshop kind of thing...)
>
> So I want you guys to tell me what I want!!!
>
> Starting in the bedroom (ooh-err) I have 4 loads; 3 lights, and 1
> ceiling fan. All these are wired to X10 modules mounted in the loft
just
> above the bedroom. There is a single gang wallswitch with 2xmomentary
> switches wired back to the X10 modules for the ceiling light and
ceiling
> fan. The other two lights are bedside lights, which currently have X10
> control *only*, - there is no wiring for local switches for these two.
> On my bedside I have an MT10 which (when it works) controls all 4
loads.
> SWMBO's side has a 3-way Leviton switch mounted into a cut-out in an
> adjacent piece of furniture.
>
> There is a CAT5 cable run to the main lightswitch position on the
wall,
> and there is also a 4-outlet CAT5 faceplate behind the bedhead, all
home
> run back to N0. (But not all punched down yet). I also have CAT5 cable
> runs between the loft (where the X10 modules for the bedroom are
> located), and N0, (which is down in the cellar).
>
> I also have a Comfort PIR in the room, and a Comfort keypad mounted on
> my headboard, so I could use comfort keypad buttons for control if
> that's an option.
>
> I definitely want the existing local control via the
"conventional"
> switch just inside the door to continue to provide simple on/off
control
> as it does currently. This is essential for WAF. There must also be
> simple on/off/dim control from both bedside positions as current. -
> retaining the existing Leviton switch on SWMBO's side may be a plus
> point so long as it didn't introduce additional delays due to
traversing
> networks, - although having said that, the aim is actually to
eradicate
> the unreliability of the X10 components, so perhaps that's not such a
> plus after all... The leviton is mounted in a j-box sized cut-out in a
> box headboard, so *something* has to go there, or there will be a big
> ugly hole... - aren't the Saturn's J-box sized? - SWMBO would
definitely
> be impressed (read high WAF) to be the recipient of the very first
> Saturn switch in the house!!!
>
> Decisions, decisions....
>
> Come on chaps, give me some clarity here...
>
> TIA
>
> Paul G.
>
>
> Oh, one last thing, a couple of the earlier posts mentioned a 25%
> integrator discount. - I've not heard of this before, - what is
> necessary to qualify?
>
> Very last thing - promise... - I'll just chuck in the fact that I'm
also
> prepared to PAY for some consultancy to design my system (gasp) if it
> can be proven to be worthwhile.... ;-)
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>