new to CBUS

Hi,

We recently purchased a unit that has a small CBU system installed. Has a small CT5000 monochrome touch screen (the original version) which has a few scenes setup for light control. System also has 2 x 5055DL panels for turning on and off lights or groups of lights, and some 4 button wall switches also for turning on/off lights. Has some dimmers/relays with power supplies to control everything and also has a PC interface device, with an RS232 connector. (5500PC)

Following some recent power issues (safety switch tripped twice - possibly separate issue which we are getting checked out) the CT5000 screen is now stuck on bootup. I removed power from the back to power cycle, and it came back once, but has since locked up again. The issue is the screen controls some lights which are not setup on the physical wall switches so now cant turn on some lights..

Screen looks quite old, are they repairable?, or worth replacing with the newer screen BS5000CTL2 or are there newer screens which would be better?
Is it easy to transfer file from old screens to new or need to reprogram system?
Am new to CBus but have some tech background/.
Also like to get onto the LAN if possible.- could I connect laptop with USB to serial connector to the CBUS CNI port to access it over the network?

Any guidance would be appreciated.
TechFan

 

Just be careful
Pink CBus RJ45 ports and serial RJ45 ports on some devices should never be connected to LAN devices

 

Since you already have a PC interface you can buy a USB to DB9 serial adapter to connect a PC to your PCI (PC interface).
I recommend the adapter should use FTDI chipset as Prolific chipset caused problems in the past.
Another option for CBus interface would be to add a serial device server to allow an ethernet interface.
Another option buy Clipsal CNI2 device which is the Cbus interface with built in ethernet.

 

Search this forum or Google and you will find someone who repairs touchscreens.

 

Thanks Daryl, much appreciated. I have a Comsol USB to Serial which I think has the FTDI chip but will check.
Have laptop which I connect to wi-fi and leave physically connected to CBUS system..
Will keep reading and searching to learn more...thanks again

 

you would want to get the replacement touchscreen rather quickly as they have just been marked obsolete a few weeks ago