Wiser on C-Bus Wireless

Hi Guys,

I am sure a similar question to this has been asked before, but my searches didn't find it so apologies in advance.

My client is looking to run a totally C-Bus wireless network, as wiring it up conventionally is almost impossible as the building (and build methods) are unique, but he wants to control it all with a Wiser.

The Wiser C-Bus 'wired' interface needs to talk to a Wireless Gateway, but of course, this then requires a power supply so you are looking at not quite but almost twice the price for the Wiser functionality by the time you get the PSU and Gateway etc. Neither unit is a C-Bus power supply according to the data sheets. Am I missing something here?

Is there a cheaper way? Can I 'cheat' and use a cheap plug pack style transformer of either 24VDC or 32VDC power supply just to run this 'back to back C-Bus network' cable between the C-Bus Wireless Gateway and the Wiser?

Any Ideas appreciated.

Brad

 

You can only use a C-Bus power supply for the C-Bus network. Using anything else will prevent it from working.

 

Hi Darren,

Yes, I know this is the normal way (sorry, not trying to cause trouble!!).

But I thought there might be a nicer looking way for a completely direct back to back arrangement. For what could otherwise almost be the 0.15 metre pink inter-link cable, requiring the DIN PSU it will have to be very ugly to have the DIN rail device in the middle. It also makes it more expensive than it should have to be.

The client wanted to put the Wireless gateway and Wiser on his sideboard next to his other IT goodies, which the Wiser and Wireless gateway look designed to do purely from a 'aesthetic design' basis, but the DIN rail means a full additional power enclosure. Hardly aesthetic.

That's why I thought there might be an accepted 'cheat around' for a more 'out in view' look like the Wiser and Gateway themselves. Obviously not, but may be worth looking into from a product viewpoint.

Do you have any other ideas for a workaround?

Thanks,

Brad

 

The C-Bus system only works because of the special impedance characteristics of the power supply. If you try using any other form of power supply it would only work through luck rather than by design. Don't bother trying to use a plugpack-style power supply. It won't work.

If aesthetics is an issue, there's no need for the power supply to be located next to the Wireless Gateway and Wiser. You could run a pink cable to a surface-mounted RJ45 (pink for good measure) and run a cable off to another location in the house. If you mount the DIN Power Supply in a 4CC4 enclosure, you could just about stash it anywhere, such as screwed to the underside of the desk where it can't be seen. All you need is a cable connection from the power supply to the other devices.

As an aside, running the C-Bus cable around the house a bit may give some other opportunities to put in a colour C-Touch or DLT in a good spot, or even just install some motion sensors.

 

Hi Newman,

Thanks for responding. I guess I will be finding a location for an enclosed power supply.....somewhere!

To the Clipsal design team reading, it may be worth considering looking into the 'Back to Back' Wireless Gateway to Wiser configuration with view to a low cost powered cable (2 x RJ45s, a metre of pink cable and a 'low impedance etc' inline/plug pack PSU),

or alternatively bring out either a C-Bus wireless CNI for the Wiser as an alternate build to the Wired CNI, or a 'Strap On' Wireless Gateway that builds on the end of the Wiser like the inline CNI does.

Just some ideas as I think increasingly many C-Bus wireless users may want to control it with their iPads/Androids as it is the new hot topic. Some people put C-Bus wireless into the unit/townhouse they are renting so it can be removed easily when they leave, and these sort of people will probably also want tablet control. Another situation where there is no wired C-Bus and not much space (or tolerance) for normal power enclosures.

Any way, thanks to all for pointing out there are currently no further options other than the DIN PSU.

Brad

 

I agree and would buy one. I would not hold your breath however, as Clipsal dont seem to have any interest in the wireless products any more. One person on the stand at CEDIA did not even know that a wireless product existed! A combined wireless gateway and CNI was promised years ago!

 

Yeah HTNut,

I thought I might have been reopening a previous can of worms. I think it would be a good product and should be easy to knock up as a product, the cable and PSU one that is. The Wireless Gateway in the new different shaped box might take a lot more work.

 

I'm looking to do something similar to this: totally wireless C-Bus network with a Wiser controlling it.

It makes no sense to require C-Bus cabling between the Wiser and the Wireless gateway in an all-wireless setup.

 

You are talking about two completely unrelated forms of "wireless". Wiser has a WiFi connection. C-Bus Wireless uses a completely different frequency and modulation. The two are unable to communicate with each other. So you need two radio transceivers connected by some wire at some point. In a purely wireless installation, having C-Bus make this connection is less than ideal, but it is an unusual scenario and it is not possible to have products which cater for every possible situation.

 

I'm aware that the two wireless networks are completely different. But so is the C-Bus wired network and a 802.11 network + standard ethernet network -- but it seems like Clipsal managed to mash those into the same product.

What I'm saying is, instead of the wired CNI (or with the wired CNI), stick a wireless gateway into it instead so that you don't need power over C-Bus to the wireless gateway -- no wires required anywhere.

You can even sell two models or whatever.