RE: CBus???

["Paul Gale" <groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks everyone!

So, what would the cheapest option for me then?...

To use my existing switches + maybe 3-4 saturn switches initially and
gradu=
ally replacing others.

What dimmers do I need - what other kit to interface with HV etc?

Given that for this examples sake, I have 40 dimmable lights around the
hou=
se + 5 on/off fluorescents.

How much is this all likely to cost?

Paul.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> Kevin Hawkins
> Sent: 09 August 2006 09:55
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] CBus???
>=20
> C-Bus dimmer packs do not offer individual channel control except by
> C-Bus. They do have a tiny channel toggle switch on them but no wired
> switch connection. They also have allow a couple of switches to be
> attached to turn all the channels on that dimmer pack on or off.
>=20
> You need to use C-Bus switches or Clipsal provide a DIN mounting input
> module that offers 4 volt free contacts - which can be wired to 4
> separate switches (not 240V live wired ones). They also have a tiny
box
> called a bus coupler 5104BCL that provides the same 4 inputs but is
> designed to fit behind a switch and 'C-Bus' enable it . This latter
unit
> has cable length restrictions. Retail is still around =A380 ish
though.
>=20
> A significant cost for C-Bus is the number of switches you need but
the
> number of buttons per switch doesn't raise the price much. However
> always going for 8 channel as I did originally can cause confusion as
> there are just too many buttons.
>=20
> You could use the xAP gateway to C-Bus and then any device that can
> generate xAP BSC messages can be used to switch a C-Bus light. This
> could be HomeSeer or another controller application, or even Phaedrus'
> xAP Netiom which offers 16 'volt free' inputs each of which can be
> attached to a normal switch. you do need to be careful over how your
> cable length is run though. You don't get the niceties of a true C-Bus
> switch though - the light up indicators - the press to hold dim/bright
> functionality, scenes and of course the cosmetics of the switch - the
> Saturns are particularly nice in a contemporary installation and have
> high WAF. Some comparable functionality can be achieved using scripts
in
> xAP/ HS though. The other big plus for an all C-Bus system is that it
is
> one interconnected system that just works, it responds quickly and has
> very capable network resolution code to cope with power or network
> outages in really neat ways. All in all this is one of the great
pluses
> of a C-Bus system - it works so damn reliably. In any setup the more
> 'steps' there are involved the less reliable it is. Most of my xAP
stuff
> is now running embedded (doesn't require a PC at all) .
>=20
> One other aspect that may be useful to you if you are migrating from
X10
> is that by using xAP you can intermix your X10 and C-Bus lighting. You
> can use X10 switches/remotes to control C-Bus dimmers and you can use
> C-Bus switches/remotes to control X10. You can even have mixed
'groups'
> of C-Bus and X10. This can soon be done without a PC being needed too.
> This makes for a nice migration path but as you become more and more
> impressed by C-Bus you'll soon be replacing the X10 bit by bit..
>=20
> Kevin
>=20
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> Paul Gale wrote:
> > Wondering if I should replace my current extensive X10 system for
CBus?
> I have approx 40 LD11=92s + a handful of AD10=92s. Cost is the big
factor=
=96
> could maybe afford the dimmers etc but not 20 or so Saturn switches!
> (maybe one or two in key locations though)
> >
> > I have momentary rocker switches everywhere to control the X10
=96 can
> these be used to control CBus in the same way as X10 i.e. quick press
for
> on/off and hold down to cycle dimming? Maybe affordable if I can use
my
> existing switches.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Paul.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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