controlling multiple velux skylights

i'm trying to figure out if i could use a NIRT to control some velux skylights...

a) since the skylights are in different locations, i'll need 4 IR emitters. since i'm fine with sending the same signal to all of them, it seems like i ought to be able to connect them in parallel to a single NIRT, rather than buying multiple NIRTs. is that true, or am i missing something?

b) i'll need a bunch of different codes -- open/close skylight, plus open/close shades (velux calls these "M1", "M2", and "M3"), combined with 4 separate skylight identifiers. are all these codes available somewhere, or do i need to buy the IR reader? aside from the considerable cost of the reader, the documentation suggests that it can't actually learn some devices, which doesn't inspire confidence.

c) the U.S. distributor for clipsal (square d) doesn't seem to consider the NIRT interesting enough to carry, so it looks like i'd need to order it from somewhere else. any recommendations or gotchas to watch out for?

thanks.

 

Some of this is answered in the C-Bus Installation Instructions but here's a recap:

a) You can connect a dual-head IR emitter to each of the IR ports on the front of the unit, giving you a total of 4 IR emitter heads, and therefore 4 devices. The length of any extension lead you may fit is 50m and the cable capacitance must not exceed 10nF. Cat5 is a good choice for an extension cable if needed.

b) IR is such an un-controlled and ad-hoc medium that it's inevitable that the IR Reader can't capture all the different codes out there. The Velux codes aren't in the library so you'll need to borrow an IR reader, or be nice to your local sales rep and borrow one, to get the codes.

c) All I can recommend is that you keep pestering your local SquareD rep.

 

One IR output is sufficient to enter another IR system and then service as many outputs as required.

This website no longer carries the Starserve component but it is clear that those products can mingle with C-Bus quite happily.