C-Bus and HomeKit.... Siri turn on my lights!

Hi all,

I'd like to make my C-Bus system an "actual" smart system with the integration of Apples HomeKit.
I understand that Schneider hasn't been bothered at any level to get with the times and create a module to bring C-Bus into the modern age.
I installed a SHAC (Pseudo smart) to get me a fraction of the way there with web interfaces, schedules and the like etc.

BUT I'm still on the hunt for a robust way to integrate with HomeKit and siri.

Homebridge installed on a RasberryPi/HOOBS system has a c-bus plugin, but it also requires that I run a further PC system to have CGate server running 24/7 if I want to make Siri requests to just turn on/off a light. This all seems to me a pretty complex approach to what seems like it should be a plug and play device in 2022.

Has anyone got any thoughts on how to smarten up an existing C-Bus system, or have I just outlined the current best way to do this.

There's another guy (maybe on these forums?) charging extortionate prices for even a small system, and it seems like it depends on how many devices you have connected as to the final coat. Perhaps he's just implementing the above and charging for it... I dunno...

Thanks

 

You could run c-gate on the RPi or buy a Wiser and use the Wiser plugin.
As you have a shac I would suggest looking into installing C-gate, cheaper option but takes more effort.
See the voice control section of the forum to get you started

 

Thanks for the quick reply....
Can the C-Gate run on the same RPi as HomeBridge? or would I need a second RPi on the network to run the dedicated C-Gate server instance?

 

Yes you can run Homebridge and CGate on the same RPi. There is a very good plugin for Homebridge that you point towards CGate running on the same RPi. I personally also run Node Red for my logic between devices controlled by Homebridge

 

Not sure what Node Red is but I’ll check that out too.
Thank you.

 

Some instructions to help you get Homebridge, Homebridge CBus and CGate setup on a raspberry pi.
Greig has created a script to make it all very easy to get going.

https://github.com/greiginsydney/Homebridge-cbus-installer/blob/master/SETUP.md

 

Thanks. I had come across that, and it looks complex, but still doable. My worry is with software and firmware updates that may break it, then having to re-learn it all again years later...


On that note I also came across the "Matter" standard being discussed for mid 2022 implementation.
It's a good approach, and during he video they show a Schneider Electric logo... so.... We wait in hope!



Thanks

 

I suppose there is a little learning to get Homebridge setup following those instructions but it is as easy as it gets without paying someone to do it all for you.

 

I'll let you know how I go.. Thanks.

 

Hey Fellas,
I'm making my way through Daryl McDougall's Video guide to getting C-Bus setup and I've hit some roadblocks.
I'm running hoobs, and all the steps worked until I came across the Oracle Install, and unzipping C-Gate.
I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to command line stuff but I was expecting it would have worked after getting this far.

sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre-headless -y
hoobs@hoobs:~$ sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre-headless -y
sudo: unable to resolve host hoobs: No address associated with hostname
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package openjdk-8-jre-headless

and

unzip cgate-2.11.4_3251.zip
hoobs@hoobs:~$ unzip cgate-2.11.4_3251.zip
bash: unzip: command not found

any help would be great!
Thanks

 

Hi
Perhaps unzip is not installed.
sudo apt install unzip

 

I haven't tried HOOBS for a long time.
With regard to "Unable to locate package openjdk-8-jre-headless" it's possibly something like this.
https://serverfault.com/questions/8...penjdk-8-jre-headless-on-debian-jessie/830938

Hoobs is short for Homebridge Out Of the Box.
I'd start from scratch on a new SD card and go with Greigs method and script to get it running.
If you don't like it go back to the Hoobs SD.