CBUS Network Connection and New Dimmers Compatibility Question

Hi Everyone!

it's been a while since I've been on the forum (I had to create a new user as I lost my old email).

I have several sites in the UK and one has an issue with a faulty dimmer which needs replacing.

My Toolkit version is 1.15.7
The system comprises several dimmers, relays, keypads, a PCI (serial) and a USB PAC
Network voltage and impedance is in range.
Hardware termination attached

I last programmed the system about a year ago.
My client complained that his schedules via the PAC were out of sync and lighting control was intermittent.
I identified a faulty 4 channel dimmer that was flooding the CBUS network and after it was removed the system became stable again.
I removed the PAC and put all the schedules on RTI which works great.
The PCI (serial) is connected for third party control from RTI - working well.

That's the background.
Here's my problem;

1. I tried to connect to the CBUS network from the Serial PCI (with a USB to RS232 that I previously used and I know is working) but I cannot connect. I tried the same with the PAC and I also couldn't connect. I'm not sure about the status of C-Gate, but I assume it's worked before and it's still compatible with my software version?

2. It's been a good few years since I've added any hardware and I see the old blue dimmers and relays have been updated. I need to replace a faulty 4 channel dimmer and there are no blue dimmers available, but there is stock at suppliers of the SpaceLogic dimmers. Unfortunately, unlike the old days, the suppliers have no technical support at all and that's why I'm here.

Can anyone please advise me which PC Interface I should use to connect to my system (allowing for the existing legacy devices) and can I run SpaceLogic dimmers on Toolkit, or do I need the SpaceLogic software?

I hope I've given enough information to help you to help me and I'd be very grateful for any advice on the above.

Regards

Richard

 

Hi,

you are going to need c-bus commission for space logic which uses c gate 3.
The new version of toolkit uses c gate 3 as well.

you will need to work out what the issue is with your connection to the system. Once that is resolved the programming of the new unit should be pretty straight forward.

 

The PCI is still a current interface and should work fine. If it's working with the third party control you know it's ok. Are you sure you disconnected the other control before trying to access it via toolkit? Try downloading the cbus diagnostic utility and running it on the PCI. It gives much better information than toolkit when things don't work.
Your existing version of toolkit and cgate should still work fine on the existing network. If you want to program the new dimmers you will need the new commissioning software and latest toolkit and cgate.

 

Toolkit 17.6 supports the new dimmers. Versions after that require SLCC.