New Complementary C-Bus Device "Translink"

As today is a day for new product announcements, I would like to announce the launch of a new C-Bus related product that we have designed.

The device is called "Translink" and more information can be found here and on our website http://www.hamfield.com.au

There is also a forum, so as to not to tie up this one with a 3rd party product.

In the interests of disclosure, the interested parties on this forum are myself and Charlie Crackle, with a few other volunteer beta testers that may choose identify themselves. And just to be clear, this is a product designed and built by Hamfield and we are not connected in any way to Clipsal.

Regards

Rohan

 

Well done Rohan.

I'll put my hand up to say I have been testing and it has not given me one issue at all (which is why Rohan has not heard from me).

All the best for the new product.

Mick

 

Thanks Mick, the cheque's in the mail......

Rohan

 

Looks real nice, congrats on the launch!

 

Thanks, I appreciate the comment.

Regards

Rohan

 

Translink App now available on the App Store

For those that have been waiting, the Translink iOS App is now available on the Apple App Store.

Search for "Translink"

Regards

Rohan

 

1) Are there any plans to 'open this up'? Maybe publish the protcol on the ethernet side so that people can write their own apps and pluggins for automation software? For example I would think if it worked with many of the 'DIY' automation products (e.g. Homeseer) there would be a greater demand. Most of the automation products allow users to develop their own plugins.

2) Will it support other C-Bus applications (e.g. heating) in the future? Again another sales point for automation software.

3) Any plans for an Android app (seeing as Android is out selling iOS)?

Looks good though. Marty

 

This will likely happen in the future. We need to expand the functionality first. However if somebody wanted it for a scecific reason, we could probably arrange something.

Yes it will. Which ones and in what order depends on user feedback. We have a couple that are already scheduled for inclusion in the next release. BTW the controller firmware is field flash upgradeable as new versions are released.

We would like to see an Android app (and Windows 8), but probably wont do it ourselves. We would make the API available to interested developers.

I appreciate your comments.

Regards

Rohan

 

Rohan,

This looks very enticing. I am about to bite the bullet on C-Bus lighting and most likely thermostats. I'm planning on using home automation software called Homeseer (www.homeseer.com) to provide intelligence.

There is a way to control c-bus lighting via xAP with Homeseer using a c-bus/xAP interface which I have tested and works well. But it does not support the c-bus heating application.

This leaves me in a pickle. Either use something else to control heating that Homeseer can control, hope that another solution comes along (like Translink), or have no automation over heating controls.

So....how confident are you guys that the heating application will be supported in Translink? Is it possible to get an idea of the Ethernet protocol used to see if a plug-in can be written for Homeseer?

If it is highly likely and not too difficult then I will jump on board.

Marty

 

Hi Marty,

Unfortunately you are a bit too quick for us.

The heating application is not in the current firmware, but is on the list to be added to the next release (and yes you can update the Translink firmware yourself), however I cant tell you at this stage when that release will be.

I'm adding support for a number of new C-Bus applications, including the much requested Trigger, to enable the firing of scenes.

With regard to interfacing into software such as Homeseer this is something we will do but again we are not ready yet. We need to add extra functionality to the API to support secure login and other such things.

We have had many requests to use/modify or adapt the Translink to specific tasks, all of which are very possible, but can't happen instantly, so we need to prioritise what functionality gets implemented in what order.

If it were me I would go with C-Bus and the thermostats for sure (there is nothing better) and look at adding the heating control from Homeseer as a stage 2 task. Hopefully by then we'll be in a better position to do what you need.

Cheers

Rohan

 

Yes the AC application $AC is what I intended, I just used the term heating.

BTW I just realised the AC application address is $AC, is that the technical guys having a bit of fun?

Regards

Rohan

 

So the AC application can address the thermostats and change the set points? In our application the thermostats will be used to control underfloor heating zones.
M