C-bus PIR as Occupancy Sensor

[Drew]

As a power saving feature I currently use Thinkboxx / minder controllers to shut cbus controlled lights off in rooms where the security PIR motion sensor indicates there has been no movement for 30 minutes.

With minder no longer and not wishing to use a Pascal controller, I was wondering how to configure a standard Cbus Infascan PIR sensor to do the same without Thinkboxx/Minder. ie can a cbus Infrascan PIR be configured to send an off command to a specific cbus group when there is no activity for a preset period?

thanks,

[znelbok]

Instead of issuing an on command, re-trigger a timer. When sopmeone moves in the room, the timer will re-start and if it ever times out the lights will go out.

Mick

[Drew]

Thanks Mick - but can that be achieved within Cbus modules using setup for the infrascan ?

[rhamer]

Just interested, but if you already have a Thinkboxx, why not just continue to use it?

Cheers

Rohan

[Homesparki]

(dumb question)

Can i set the daylight "trigger" level over the network - rather than with a screwdriver on the end of a wonky ladder?

Nev

[Forumadmin]

(dumb question)

Can i set the daylight "trigger" level over the network - rather than with a screwdriver on the end of a wonky ladder?

Nev

Nope.

[supes64]

Pretty sure the Dynalite Sensors can be set-up/edited over the network, PE and motion settings.

[Homesparki]

Is anyone else having difficulty with the whole 'bolt on" pascal minder replacement?
I'm assuming that the minder went south and our clipsal french friends were searching for something to 'fill the gap" and this was the best???? they could come up with...
I'm not a computer programmer - so Pascal is not easy.... (yes i know - if you can't stand the heat...) - But surely they must be coming up with their own simpler interface??? - every other manufacturer seems to make it easier? why must we suffer...?
((whinging Neville))

[rhamer]

I agree that Minder leaves pretty big shoes to fill.

I have not used a PAC, but I don't see it as a direct replacement anyway, no I/O for a start.

You can still buy a Minder from the original maker. It's now known as Thinkboxx.

I upgraded my Minder's firmware and it now is a Thinkboxx and is fabulous.

Having said that, dealing with the company is like pulling teeth, they seem hell bent on their own destruction. They just don't seem to realise how good their product is.

Cheers

Rohan

[Don]

(dumb question)

Can i set the daylight "trigger" level over the network - rather than with a screwdriver on the end of a wonky ladder?

Nev

You can set up the daylight "trigger" level over the network if the sensor is a 5753PEIRL.

Don

[chrism]

Hi Rohan and All

The Minder/ThinkBoxx solution has been a good one for many years. Having used the product since 1995, I've seen (and been involved with) it's development however..... It has not evolved really, since the demise of Smartworld Mk1 in 2001. The alternatives (PAC, M1 etc) are not even at the same level as the Minder/ThinkBoxx solution. This is part of the reason we developed our own product and whilst it is still only in the testing stage, it is proving to be exactly what the market is looking for.

I am embarrassed that it is taking so much longer to develop than we expected, but we want to get it right and not have a bug-ridden product that will crash soon after take-off. So... here is where we are at the moment, and here is an insight as to where we expect to be on release.

System has interface to
C-Bus lighting system... Can Switch on, off, toggle and dim in much the same way as a Minder. It is best connected with a CNI but can use an RS232 PC Interface if required.

M1 Gold... Can Arm, disarm, check status of zones, write to keypad, acticate on-board relays. Is like a Minder in a lot of respects except... you don't need to write lines of scenario for the security system to operate.

NX8/12/16... Much the same as the M1 but not quite as much functionality

Nuvo Music system... Control up to 12 zones of multi-room/multi-source music

These are the systems we are talking to already. The interfaces are at different stages, but they all work to some degree.

The unit itself has the following

Irrigation... 10 zones, day of week, auto and manual. This is expandable to 100 zones (presently). The zone (relay) can be on the M1, NX panel(max 32) C-Bus (if you have the $$) or by a a bank of relays we can supply (6ch will cost about $170).

Blind control... much the same as the irrigation. You can operate up, down and stop by a number of methods (depending on the controller type) ie up contact goes up, down contact goes down, both together stops. Relays for these are much the same as the irrigation. The unit we can supply is a change-over contact (if you require electrical interlocking)

There is some climate control (8 temperature sensors) which can activate the relays (outlined above) based upon set-points

Real time clock functions, flags, counters, analogue internal values, timers...etc

Web interface... anything that is on the system can be accessed via a web page. All configuration is performed by a web interface (no special software required). You can however, upload/download ini style config files so you don't have to start from scratch each time.

The system's design is to have all of the control already working. This is where is differs from Minder. You will be able to configure if/then/else type situations (as is done in scenarios) with access to and device connected to the system


What's still do do (prior to release)
-RS485 Air cond control
-More music systems
-Setting of clocks on all devices that have them (ie C-Bus DLT's etc, security panels) by retriving time from the internet
-Caller ID displayed on any device that has dynamic writing (ie DLT)
-email triggers and responses
-SMS responses (maybe... a bit tricky in that not all Telstra fixed line exchanges are enabled for SMS
-Pool control (3 different types at the moment) and we may be able to control equipment without third party controllers

I'll try to keep the group informed on when we are going to release... I know some of you are very keen (of course we are too) to get the product out there.

Keep and eye on the 'Beaver' section of this usergroup

Cheers

Chris

[Forumadmin]

Is anyone else having difficulty with the whole 'bolt on" pascal minder replacement?
I'm assuming that the minder went south and our clipsal french friends were searching for something to 'fill the gap" and this was the best???? they could come up with...
I'm not a computer programmer - so Pascal is not easy.... (yes i know - if you can't stand the heat...) - But surely they must be coming up with their own simpler interface??? - every other manufacturer seems to make it easier? why must we suffer...?
((whinging Neville)) Whinging Nev,
Although not a full replacement to Minder, the PAC is alot more powerful than first imagined.
Like most tools it takes some time to come to grips with the PAC. Looking over the odd experienced shoulder is recommended to fast track a new user of the product.

As for "stop gap" well there is some truth to this however I would expect to see a far more power cousin in the not to distant future. Pascal as a language is very readable and pretty easy to learn. For any project requiring some simple logic statements it has been a life saver.

[Forumadmin]

You can set up the daylight "trigger" level over the network if the sensor is a 5753PEIRL.

Don
Thanks Don,
I was wondering when someone was going to chip in with the multi-sensor.

cheers

[Forumadmin]

What's still do do (prior to release)
-RS485 Air cond control
-More music systems
-Setting of clocks on all devices that have them (ie C-Bus DLT's etc, security panels) by retriving time from the internet
-Caller ID displayed on any device that has dynamic writing (ie DLT)
-email triggers and responses
-SMS responses (maybe... a bit tricky in that not all Telstra fixed line exchanges are enabled for SMS
-Pool control (3 different types at the moment) and we may be able to control equipment without third party controllers Hi Chris,
I know this is off topic, but,
Are you enjoying teasing us with the beaver and what it will do? You better deliver on this one boyo I can tell you.

Keep us posted.