Pascal Automation Controller

[Forumadmin]

Now available for purchases. These little boxs are a logic engine in a box.

http://www.cbussales.com/product_info.php?products_id=236&osCsid=e3b93872c6eba1576a1e134f5b79353a

Get'em while their hot.

[Frank Mc Alinden]

Hi Ross
Have you had a go at programming the pac ??? is it difficult ???

Price looks pretty good ;-))

Frank

[Forumadmin]

Hi Frank,

I've had a PAC for a while now as part of the beta testing. I have it doing almost everything I could do with a Minder controller. The only limitation I have found is my hands on experience with the unit and finding the time to get a full handle on the syntax.

Suffice to say that I will have it sussed in due course ;)

It is a very nice and welcome addition to the Cbus range and can only get better with more developement time and feedback from end users.

The language syntax is very readble so its not a huge learning curve to bash out some code. I think the biggest hurdle is learning how it all fits together.

So far so good. I think it has a bright future in our business.

Cheers

[charlie crackle]

Is the USB the only way to program. does it have the serial option as well ??

I like the serial option as you can plug into a serial to network converter and program remotely

Charles

[Forumadmin]

Is the USB the only way to program. does it have the serial option as well ??

I like the serial option as you can plug into a serial to network converter and program remotely

Charles

Hi Charles,
Yep at this stage the USB is the only method. Personally I would prefer ethernet, I'm not sure it will happen but it would be the ultimate solution.

Cheers

[Frank Mc Alinden]

Hi Guys

In the meantime Ross
This little device looks promising if you want to conect your usb product to the network....

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/server/

HTH
Frank

[rhamer]

I have it doing almost everything I could do with a Minder controller.
But what about the I/O that minder has?

Do we need general input units and the like to bring it up to the full Minder functionality?

I know the price of Minder (cough) sorry Thinkboxx has gone throught the roof, and Smart dont seem to want to help themselves, but if we have to add other units to the PAC to bring it up to spec, then it doesen't look quite so cheap.

Rohan

[Forumadmin]

Hi Rohan,

I hear you loud and clear. What about the inputs is an issue. I have had to do work arounds for most things. Bus coupler and 5504GI for example. The way I see it the PAC will evolve to include the 5504GI in the one module or a have a variant of that concept. Or CIS could just use the M1 that Ness has now re-badged. (hint hint)



I just see the Smart offering as a solution going no where at this point in time. The cost is just ridiculous, and the software issues make me cringe. I have heard they will develop an .xml reading version of the database (currently .dbf) to use the toolkit.



Anyhow things are looking up with the PAC filling the gap in product that Minder left. I know its not perfect but you have to give them credit were its due. It does provide logic and does it very well. The software is a bit “clicky” but that is a limitation of the programmer (put Ross here). I guess given time we shall be back in business, offering the nice bits and pieces with seamless integration we have come to expect.



Cheers

[charlie crackle]

Still need to fill the X10 Gap. Which is great for turning on that fountain or Xmas Tree.

Other is the reporting of analogue values. to the graphic.

Cbus+5504GI+homegate not realy there yet until measurement app