Beginner PCI Connection

Hi everyone,

Recently got a place with a C-Bus system installed however all I've been provided is a CNI Interface Address. I've got a USB to RS-232 cable and plugged it into the RS-232 port of the 5500 system as it is the affordable alternative compared to buying a CNI connection (No CNI product e.g. wiser has been left on the premise)

I tried scanning for the network on Toolkit with all the options in "Find C-Bus networks" however none of them are obtaining any results.

I also tried sing Diagnostic Utility setting the specific COM part however nothing came up as well.

Massive beginner question, is it because the C-bus system is set up as CNI inteface that I cannot use the PCI interface? Or some setting of mine are incorrect?

Cheers

 

What cbus device is this RS232 port on? Is it a 5500PC or some other device.

What do you mean by CNI address. Is it an IP address?

No. You can have multiple interfaces on a Cbus network.

 

Cheers for the quick reply!

Yes, it is on a 5500PC (sorry for the bad pic as it's stored in a tight box however it says 5500PC on the side.) Unless it is the other cables going into it interfering with the connection?

Yep it's the IP address (192.168.x.xx and the port 10001).

Could it be because the RS232 I have is not good for C-Bus? It shows up as working fine in Device Manager on the laptop.
I live in Australia so happy for recommendation. It seems the Dontronics shop that the forum recommends has been closed

 

The RS232 to USB cable NEEDS to be equipped with a genuine FTDI chipset, not a knockoff FTDI and not a CH340 chipset. If the cable cost u less than $15 AUD chances are it isn’t a genuine FTDI chipset.

In the toolkit you need to do a scan on com ports not ur IP network

 

Hey mate,

I bought this one from Jaycar for $30. However it seems it’s a prolific one which isn’t recommended on this forum. Do you recommend any place in Sydney/Aus that can source an FTDI one as it seems Dontronics is shut down

 

i use Comsol brand from Officeworks. It’s Exxy but I had no choice when at a client site fixing their astronomy observatory gear and it works well for cbus too.

 

Element 14 or RS components stock the genuine FTDI converters.

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/serial-converters-extenders/0429274/

https://au.element14.com/ftdi/us232r-100-blister/adaptor-cable-usb-to-rs232-100cm/dp/1329310

Found the Moxa ones work without issue too.

 

Cheers mate! Popped into Officeworks today and bought one - and it works!

 

Thanks for your suggestion! I bought a Comsol one based on another user's suggestion today and it works!

Hope your response will find other viewers looking for help in the future