5000SM/2 info

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone knows where to find the details (pin outs etc.) of the 5000SM/2 development SIMs? I've got a couple of these to have a play with. I've got a few ideas I'd like to try out - but there seems to be no information on these units within reach.

Thanks

 

Ah, thanks Nick, that should do the trick nicely.

John

 

Yep, I got the software awhile ago. Its' pretty much the same stuff I 'bent' for a FreeBSD hosted Tcl/Tk interface for the CNI units. In this case tho' I'll be driving it with a PIC24 or a PIC32MX. I have a number of small projects to try out with these that should be rather interesting. I'm not sure if the distributor is gouging, but I hope that the modules can be source somewhat cheaper if I ever need to use larger numbers of them

 

Very envious

I must have tried a hundred times to source these... and I use them in a gateway product. I kinda shelved C-Bus Enabled approval once the spec become publicly available - along with these... but it's been a nightmare progressing them here in the UK. They are very useful modules however.

Despite an equal number of we'll get back to you responses I've now given up on ever seeing them, and have kinda given up moving forward with the gateway product and the onboard C-Bus interface. I now just suggest an external RS232 or CNI.

K

 

Hi Kevin,

Yes, the local distributer didn't have them on their stock list at all. With the part number they were able to find it on the Clipsal list, and so could get them in fairly easily (oddly, the DLT units I ordered at the same time were the hold up).

 

I've got C-Bus installed in my house and I'm a software developer with over 10 years experience with Industrial Automation Control Systems writing custom communications drivers between Modicon, Allen Bradley PLC5,5/250, Rockwell Control Logix, PDL and various other industrial devices. So I'm keen to do a bunch of personal DIY type interfaces between C-Bus and the other technologies I have in my house.

So, as you might imagine, I was quite excited when I saw the announcement of the 5000SM/2 and all the associated docs and driver source code on SF.net. I quickly downloaded all the docs and source code, in case it was a security screw-up and in case it all disappeared as it was quite a big disclosure of what from experience would have only been prevoiusly available under NDA.

However, when I started making enquiries - I soon found quite a different story. I've talked to various C-Bus enabled and Clipsal Australia people who seemed helpful but I got directed to deal with the Clipsal NZ people who were NOT helpful at all and were actually quite obstructive and refused to provide access to the 5000SM/2 modules. So despite my efforts I still have not got any 5000SM/2 modules after 2 years.

Does anyone know about or is there someone in Clipsal anywhere in the world who will sell me 3 or 4 of these 5000SM/2 modules?

Regards

Alex Shepherd
Hamilton NZ

 

Hi Alex,

Perhaps you can get them couriered from an Australian wholesaler? (say something like www.middys.com.au). While not promoting a specific sales channel, I do know know that they can supply them locally.

 

I gave up trying to source these too.....in fact even with an order of 100 we failed. So I shelved our C-Bus enabled project.

Much the same experience in the UK ... I even got in touch 3 times with CM 'the guy who knows how' in Aus who promised to sort it... and that never worked either...

If anyone does find a source or would kindly send some (just a few/prepaid) to me in the UK please drop me a PM

K

 

Hi Kevin,

Well it seems my tale-of-woe made it onto the right person's radar and I'm hopeful that an order for 4 x 5000SM/2 modules is being processed somewhere in Aussie and will arrive in my letterbox some time soon. So for me it's looking likely to end up being a good outcome.

For others wanting to access these rather elusive modules - I would suggest you make contact with the new C-Bus Enabled Program Manager - Don Brooks. His forum handle is: DonB

Now I can dust off my plans for some RGB LED Dimmers and a few other DIY projects that I have been thinking about for the last few years.

Regards

Alex Shepherd

 

The response from the Clipsal staff who contribute to this forum has been great for me too , as it always is .... thanks.

If we could only get more of the sales and marketing department and even perhaps the UK peeps doing the same.... we do get very frustrated in international markets.

K

 

I Can and Want to Help!

Sorry to hear of all the problems there has been in getting hold of the PC SIM's. It was the innocent victim to the circumstances of change.

If anyone requires assistance in getting hold of the C-Bus 5000SM/2 regardless of where you are located please feel free to contact me via the C-Bus Forum or via the C-Bus Enabled Website email contact. [email protected]

 

Hi Nick,

Now that I have some 5000SM/2 modules on the way I'm dusting off my projects and one device I could interface the 5000SM/2 to is a LinkSys WRT54GL Router or their NSLU2 NAS.

One issue is that both those devices run at 3.3V so I'm wondering what the logic/interface chips on the 5000SM/2 really are. Is the 5V pin really just supplying 5V to some opto-couplers, such that if I powered the 5000SM/2 from 3.3V instead of 5V, would it work and make the Tx line provide a 3.3V compatible signal so I could hook it up directly to my 3.3V devices?

Regards

Alex Shepherd

 

Ok. That is what I guessed so I'll give it a go when the modules arrive.

In desperation, I had previously salvaged some older C-Bus interface modules from an old Clipsal Security System. I spent some time with a magnifying glass following the tracks on the PCB and figured they were probably just opto-couplers (I think I googled the chips) so I figured these new 5000SM/2 modules would probably be similar.

Are there any details available on what these older C-Bus modules are likely to be?

Thanks

Alex Shepherd

 

Hi Guys,

Well I now have a box with 4 x 5000 SM/2 modules in it - let the fun begin...

Regards

Alex Shepherd