Flashing Indicator On Reflection Kp

The system comprises
18 x 8 gang reflection keypads
12 x 4 gang relection keypads
2 x colour touch panels
3 x 5508D1A 8ch x 1A dimmers
4 x 5512RVF 12ch x 10 Voltage Free Relays
4 x 5508DSI 8ch DSI Fluorescent dimmers
2 x 5104D5 4ch x 5A Pro Dimmers
2 x 5102RVF 2ch Volt Free relays
5 x 5504D2A 5ch x 2A dimmers

In the case of the dimmers I have dimply assigned the group address to a switch and defined the switch as "dimmer".

Press and hold causes the circuit to brighten/ dim
Momemtary press & release causes the circuit to switch on BUT the indicator starts to flash at about 4 Hz for a LOOONG time, during which time pressing the switch DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Eventually after it stops flashing you can touch the switch and the circuit switches off - BUT The indicator starts flashing again.

At any time, whilst the indicator is flashing, press and hold will stop the flashing and control the circuit as it should.

The global settings are standard (Debounce, long press, etc)
Key functions are also standard (Idle, Toggle, downcycle, end ramp)
Block settings show 0h0m0s on the timer - it is not a timer issue as the LED flashes much faster.

I suspect a network related problem but as it is a big install I am not sure where to start.

 

Does it only do this on one keypad? if so, what happens if you swap it with another (in a different position on the network)?

Do you have enough power supply (check voltage) and you probabbly won't need a burson on such a large network

cheers

 

Keypads

No - it happens on ALL the keypads

I did forget to mention I also have a 5500PC PC Interface on address 001 with both clock and burden activated.

When I click (in Toolkit) on network it reports 1 burden required

Current required = 714mA
Current supply = 3320mA
Impedance = 1418 Ohms
52 Units

Yes - for this project I did not want to mess around so anything that could include a power supply I ordered with power supply.

 

Audiovis,

You have a MASSIVE over supply of power!

You could remove 13 powered output units and still have enough power for your network and save your client $1300.

The first thing I would be doing is reduce the number of powered output units to about 6 and retest your network then.

If the network is stable try adding the output units back in one at a time.

 

Try using the C-Bus calculator next time before ordering, it may save you some time and money...

Just remember that the network information (power, burden etc) that Toolkit is displaying is not being read from the network, it is purely a calculation within Toolkit based on the units in your project database.

 

Have just returned from site - Calculated the total power supply is 2120mA.

Diconnected 3 relay units - each with 200mA, reapplied power and problem still there.

I had only one device clock enabled so I enabled 2 more (three in total) and problem seemed to go away - even with the three 12 way relays reconnected. Packed up and did last check and - problem back again.

Re-connecetd and, on a whim, enabled another burden on the upstairs touch panel - Problem gone!!???

Waited about an hour on site going from panel to panel - problem seems to have gone away!??

One point - the site is pretty extensive and most of the C-Bus wiring is "star" topology so we are pushing the 1000m cable limit.

We do intend to exchange two or three units for units without power supply. However, on a house costing in excess of AUS $2,000,000 - a few thousand was less relevant than getting the system in and working. Will use the calculator in future though.

 

With that much cable the need for burdens would be reduced.

 

This is what I (and the local Clipsal Importers) thought - yet - with only one burden enabled the flashing problem comes back! As soon as we enable two burdens the problem appears to resolve itself (Although I am unconvinced!)

 

Some background reading on why two may powersupplies are bad !

http://www.cbusforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11826

Charles

 

Thank you. It also explains how multiple power supplies can be connected together.

I will be reducing total supply from 2120mA to 1520mA during next week.

Is the concensus that this is why I had a flashing indicator though? It was still flashing after I had shed 1,2A of power supply but, granted, before I had enabled additional clocks and the second burden.

 

Dear Nick/ Peter/ Charles

Thank you all - your input has been very useful. I will, in future be a little less blase when it comes to the bus wiring and the power supplies needed.

I must admit, however, that I have no real confidence, as yet, that the problem on this particular project is nailed.

Regds
Richard