Minder Replacement or Revive?

I have a CBUS network with a Home Minder that was installed in my condo in 2002. The contractor set up a server so that we can remotely switch our lights on and off via a website interface.

Around a few years later after the installation, the contractor abandoned the project and shut down the server. Our CBUS system is nothing but a fancy box inside the utility room. The Minder programming was lost as well( I don't know why).

I've moved out of the house for years and now I'm living in that house back. I found out that the Minder Keypad has forgotten it's address. I've tried going to address 01 but that did not work.

Recently, I've read the CBUS protocol and successfully turn on and off lights from my computer via the PCI serial port by sending the commands one by one such as \053800790149<CR>. It worked out pretty well and I'm planning to put a RaspPi to relay the serial commands (acting as a server) so that I can control my house via Ethernet. However, with all of this sensors in place with keypad, it's a waste to not to use them.

I was wondering if I could somehow communicate with the Minder Keypad to be used with something else such as an Arduino or RapsPi.

Plus: Does anyone here still have a Minder Installation Software? It is very hard to find and I still can't find one. The contractors did not give us any documentation or software when they installed the Minder. It would be nice if I could reprogram the Minder back and reactivate the alarm sensor and keypad back on.

One more question, I have this pink cable going into the Minder with a grey cable on top going to the ceiling. When I disconnect either of this, the connection to my physical switches will be disconnected. Wondering if I am going to ditch the Minder, how do I do that without loosing the connection from the CBUS and my switches? Attached is the connection I was talking about.

 

I'll PM you. Can you please allow Private Messaging in your settings so I can do so

 

I've just realize that this forum does not have a PM option and uses email instead. I've enabled the messaging via email. Hope to hear from you soon

 

It does have PM, at least I know I do!

The settings are under the admin email options you posted earlier:

 

I don't. Maybe I'm not "old enough" to have PM services. haha

 

Looks like this is one for the forum admins!

I know a few other people who have said they 'couldn't' do PMs, it might have accidentally been changed a while ago...

 

Figured maybe if I try to send a PM to somebody, it will activate my PM function on. Turns out, I was not allowed to touch anything related to PM-ing.

 

Bumping for Minder software.

Btw, Update: I've found Minder 2.2.1 but it is not supporting Mark 2. My Minder hardware is Mark 2.
Would appreciate if someone can share a newer Minder software

P/s: My Cbus forum account can't receive PM, please send me an email instead

 

I've probably got the version your looking for.

I've got a few versions stashed away somewhere, I'll have a look tomorrow.

At some point ( v4 I think) it became a paid upgrade, but the versions before that are free.

Cheers

Rohan

 

4.0.4 was the last version that was "free". Used to have it on my home page but old account and page now deleted so have emailed through to OP.

 

Looking forward

Update: Ashley just emailed to me the homeminder software. Hopefully it will work with my hardware

 

I've just checked my email Downloading it now... will inform you when it is done

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

 

That's good to hear, as I got a delivery failed message. So hope it is all there and works.

 

It is communicating with the minder already
It's in the process of updating the firmware, started to update last night and today, still updating at 57%. It took like 20 mins for 2% and that's like 16 hours by my calculation.
I wonder how did installers/contractors update firmwares onsite?
Or maybe I did not check my baud rate?

Nevertheless, I'm beyond happy to see the box communicate with the software

 

I never had it go that slow.

I'm guessing your using a Ethernet or USB to serial converter.

Cheers

Rohan

 

I reckon you are right, as I never had issues like that updating firmware, but I did have issues of slowness using a USB dongle talking to minder. Was very noticeable downloading the log file. A change of brand fixed that though. I now use a Belkin F5U103V and all is good.

 

I see. Yes indeed I was using a prolific USB to serial. It's been two nights and the thing is now at 85%. More than 24 hours.

This is by far my lengthiest cross hardware transfer. lol

 

Yep, chuck that adaptor away and get one based of the FTDI chipset.

Dontronics sells them and he ships them very quickly.

In fact I bet you could order one and have it arrive before your upload completes at the speed it is going.

Cheers

Rohan

 

The update was complete when I woke up but then this appeared.
What should I do? I've clicked "Retry" 3 times and still received negative.

I clicked "Ignore" then goes to reload the controller but controller reload failed.
Now the controller is in software update mode where it is running it's 3 LEDs.
Should I disconnect the power and hard reset or quickly get another USB to serial and give the update another go?

Okay, I've just found out that I can actually manually update the firmware Now I just have to find a good USB to Serial adapter



p/s: I've checked from Dontronics but 44USD/AUD$49.26 is way too high for me. Maybe I'll have to search locally.


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It seems that everybody is recommending me to get Aten since it is common here. Wondering if Aten uses an FTDI chipset?