SpaceLogic DALI-2 (5502CDGP230) and DT6/DT8

Hi Everyone,

This post is 50% DALI forum, 50% controller!
Doing an install which contains a fair few DALI DT8 drivers, and we're swapping one of our 5502DAL's over to the newer 5502CDGP230. Wondering how the newer multiple channel devices are handled from a GA/object point of view on a SHAC/NAC2?
Previously I've specified and sourced Lunatone drivers as they play nicely being able to operate in a two-ballast mode with brightness and hue.
Just wanted a heads-up as to how RGBW values are handled with the new DALI-2 gateway and the 'single channel' GA architecture we have used since day dot.

Have had a quick look at the new commissioning tool, but without a unit in my hands, I'm not easily able to work out what to do.

Cheers,

Tim

 

Appreciate the comprehensive reply Colin! A nice resource article hopefully others will easily stumble upon.
Sadly, from what you are saying - it looks like the DT8 RGBW drivers are yet to be supported. We will therefore need to go back to the drawing board and source address-hungry drivers which expose 4x separate short addresses.

I'm still extremely curious how DT8 devices will work in C-Bus land, I'm guessing there will be some new linking or bonding mechanism for 2-4 consecutive GA's? Or maybe some other secret-sauce....

 

It's a shame the full control of DT8 Colour Control DALI Drivers for RGBW & Tuneable white drivers is taking so long with CBus. It seems Schneider/Clipsal has focused more on Emergency Lighting Control/Testing via the DALI2 on CBus. I have had completed projects recently and have one currently in progress with RGBW LED where we had to use the DT6 Drivers which chews up the DALI Short Addresses.

Hopefully the full control of DT8 on the 5502CDGP230 comes very soon.

 

Happy to add our desired DT8 tunable white situation. We're not planning any RBGW at this stage, but we're still at the early stages of our C-Bus installation, and lighting is, ironically, one of the later things we're doing. We're a sample size of 1 and are end-users (but technically savvy and DIYers) not installers, so perhaps not as representative as installers who get to see a broad range of customers and what they want.

We're primarily after time of day based setting. We typically want 5000k during the day throughout the house, but as day transitions into evening shift towards 3000k. We use Hue downlights and strips in some rooms to do this currently. Overriding tunable white from an input device feels like it should be doable - out current setup allows that, so would be a step backwards to lose the ability to manually set colour temperature and be locked into pre-programmed settings.

Dimming at any colour is required. The DT8 drivers we're looking at support colour change without changing lumen output, and dimming without changing temperature.

IF we ended up putting any RGBW in, then being able to choose colours directly as well as program via scenes would be desirable. We currently have that with Hue. While we (the adults) use Hue 99% for tunable white as described above, the kids get a kick out of the RBGW aspect and like to play with it. More a novelty than anything else though.

Fading between colours would be expected, since Hue etc do that currently. Wouldn't want to have abrupt step changes, would feel a bit clunky I think, and again, a regression from current "lower tier" automation.

 

I agree with the functions which shimms has suggested.

Most of my installations are in the Hospitality Industry in Pubs and Hotels which have a high staff turn over so I try and keep the controls as simple as possible. Having a colour pallet widget similar to existing smart light apps, but also able to keep the individual sliders so the fine adjustment of of RGB can be achieved to get to the particular colour.

 

I'm also keen for this and would replace my old DALI interface once it's released...

For me, the priority would have to be to have RGB control via the SHAC (which would naturally flow to Tablet, Mobile Device and PC control). Any wall plates would be limited to triggering a preset scene with the RGB/CT predefined. CT control via the eDLT would be cool, but I see this more as a 'feature' then a practical requirement (Unless Schneider release a touchscreen version of the eDLT... which would be a bit of a game changer!).

 

Hi Colin.

The majority of the installations we do the operation of the CBus is via the Application Controller is through a large Tablet either a iPad or a Windows based Tablet depending on the client. Previously it was via B&W or Colour Touch Screens. We don't really use any of the small mobile devices like phones. The only other controls we install are a couple of EDLT's in certain locations which allow for manual triggering of the Scenes (which are stored in the Application Controller) and some localised control of the lights so if the WIFI goes down the client/staff can still have some control. If schedules are enabled they trigger the scenes only.

On the Tablet I would expect full control of the Colour and Brightness similar to existing HUE Lights and Apps on the market as this is what clients would compare to and expect the same from the CBus. I'm not fussed if the colour control is via a colour palate or via a slider similar to the images below, though I do like the idea of the slider over the circle. The minimum control on the EDLT or any switches would be On/Off & Dim but if colour control is possible on a 2nd button that maybe beneficial in some situations.

Colour and brightness will need to be included as part of the scenes. One venue I look after use RGB LED uses Pink and Orange in the scenes and another venue uses RGBW LED, and uses Amber, Sky Blue, Purple during hours depending in the scene and Warm White for Cleaning which are included in the scenes. The drivers for these are DT6 and have separate sliders for each colour.

Example images and links below.

https://huelights.com/img/v3.3/Web-Hue-Light-Orig.png


https://connectedmag.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/chowmainlights.png