M1XSP with serial-to-ethernet?

[benze]

Hi,

I'm looking at connecting my Elk M1G to an Omnipro RC-2000 thermostat. From what I read on the M1XSP docs, the connections are fairly easy and straightforward. But I noticed that the M1G has a max of 7 M1XSP boards that it supports. So my question is can one use a serial-to-ethernet converter to get around this maximum? Basically, using a single M1XSP and a serial to ethernet converter, I can then use a serial-to-ethernet converter on all my RS232 devices and connect them all together via a switch. However, the problem I see with this is that each M1XSP must have a jumper set that specifies what kind of device it is connected to.

Am I off base here? Can one use serial-to-ethernet converters to control several RS232 devices via a single M1XSP, or do the mode switches prevent this? Does each M1XSP have to have end-device specific firmware loaded on each individual board? If so, is the only advantage of using a serial-to-ethernet the ability to have longer runs between the device and the M1G?


On a side note, does anyone have experience using the M1G with an HAI RC-2000 thermostat? Are all settings/programs accessible via the M1G? Can they both be used in conjunction (ie: program the thermostat, but have the M1G override settings under specific circumstances)?

Thanks for any insight!

Eric

 

[signal15]

There is special firmware for the XSP depending on what device you want to control. So no, it probably wouldn't be easy, but I wouldn't say impossible. You could always hook an XSP to a mini-ITX/Atom board running linux and then handle everything in software. But you'd have to write the software.

 

[benze]

There is special firmware for the XSP depending on what device you want to control. So no, it probably wouldn't be easy, but I wouldn't say impossible. You could always hook an XSP to a mini-ITX/Atom board running linux and then handle everything in software. But you'd have to write the software.

Ok. Thanks somewhat what I figured. So basically, the only advantage I could extend from using a serial-to-ethernet would be to make the runs longer without headaches. Either that, or just move the XSP closer to the actual device being controlled. Does that sound accurate?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[signal15]

Yes, instead of dealing with serial->ethernet converters to extend runs, why not just extend the RS-485 bus? I think you can have something like 10,000 feet on an RS-485 bus. Ethernet only makes sense if your run is longer than a mile, or it's across the internet somewhere.

 

[benze]

Yes, instead of dealing with serial->ethernet converters to extend runs, why not just extend the RS-485 bus?

Only reason I can think of is that it would be nice to keep all the M1G modules together in one place in the M1G can. Otherwise I need to get a small enclosure for the XSP module that I can put within 50ft of the thermostat I'm trying to control with it. Nothing major, just a little bit of a hassle....

Thanks,

Eric

 

[signal15]

I put a sub panel in my garage so I can avoid having to have multiple runs all the way back to the main can. I'm putting another one in the attic as soon as I get time to finish building my catwalks up there. Having subpanels is a convenient way to reduce the amount of labor it takes to wire new zones or outputs.