C bus new user

Hi all.

Well what a find this forum has been!

Firstly let me introduce my self, Patrick and i am new to c bus!

Have been reading loads of threads but am rather lost..

We have bought house and and it has a clipsal system in it, with Saturn 5 Gang key input DLT switches in each room.

They are programmed to set "scenes" etc, i have no idea who installed the system and we do not have any software files but am keen to change a few of the settings on some of the switches.


Everything is running fine all i know about the system, is that the switches are programmed by software on a laptop, to set “scenes & moods” we would like to change some of the settings on the switches to suit our needs as they where set up for the previous owners.

We also have 3 down lights over a kitchen table that are dimmable (standard bulbs), we want to swap theses for some LED downlights that we have already purchased but they are not dimmable.

Am i right in that we need to have the button programmed for these new lights to the ON/OFF state as at the moment it is programmed to dimming.

As mentioned I do not have a file for the Clipsal software, is it just a case of plugging in my laptop with Clipsal software (of which i have no idea where or what version i need? )and then will i be able to change some of the “scenes & moods” ? and the button for the new lights to ON/OFF rather than dimming?

The clipsal hub is in a comms room in the house and i know there is a CAT5 input plate next to it that is used to plug into it to access it.

Its quite a big house with about 15 of these Saturn 5 Gang key input DLT switches.

Finally is it ok to swap the dimming downlights to LED downlights? will Clipsal handle this ok? I am hoping you just tell it that they are not dimmable lights on that button?

Please be gentle as i am sure i am coming across as a bit stupid!

I am keen to get to know the system my self so i can tweak rooms and settings now and in the future rather that get a company out each time we want to change any settings..

Unless someone is in the Manchester UK area and wants to earn some dosh teaching me

Many thanks in advance for reading and hopefully sharing,


Patrick

 

Hi. Ok the lights that you want to change to led. Make them dimable because they are on a dimmed output. These outputs leak voltage and can make the lights flicker. There are load resistors available to combat this. If you have a computer and the rs232 or similar to connect a computer to it I maybe able to re program what you need by sending the file by email and I will return it to you. If your not good with computers don't go thus route get someone in. It's a bit far for me as I am in Bournemouth.

 

This is not a good idea... What type of fitting are these? You need to find dimmable LEDs or keep the existing bulbs.

No that most likely will not work. The bulbs may flicker/stay on even when the circuit is off.

Nope, as mentioned above, many non-dimmable LEDs will do strange things when connected to a C-Bus dimmer circuit.

However there are many dimmable LED downlights that work well on C-Bus.