RS-485 to wireless

[jbauer]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any suggestions for making the Elk databus wireless? I have a remote location that I would like to install an 8 relay panel in and tie it to the main elk. It would be easiest to have the elk databus available at the remote station, but running a wire to it is a problem. I know that there are RS-485 to wireless modems. Has anyone tried any of these products?

What speed is the elk databus? Is it simply RS-485 and will it work with a generic component.

The remote station can be receive only, it does not need to transmit. Any other suggestions on how to solve this problem are appreciated.

- jason

 

[TonyNo]

I am aware of several 232-to-Bluetooth adapters. There may be 485 versions out there.

 

[DeLicious]

you're not the first to ask :blink:

http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=9359

 

[gatchel]

I remember a post that Spanky confirmed that some fiber transceivers would not work with the Elk. My guess is the wireless would not work also.

It has to due with the delays involved when converting media types. Wireless devices typically have an added delay because you have to buffer the data and also have to turn the wireless transmitter on and off.

 

[Spanky]

The problem is the turn around time of the wireless data bus. The M1 expects a response from a command within 20ms or the command is repeated. The wireless data busses we have looked at could take upto 50 ms to respond.

 

[jbauer]

Ok, so sending the RS-485 data wirelessly is out. Any suggestions on how to have 8 output relays about 300 feet from the main enclosure? I tried Insteon and it was too unreliable (the power circuit is about 600 feet and has lots of LV lighting on it).

All suggestions appreciated. - jason

 

[LaurentR]

Ok, so sending the RS-485 data wirelessly is out.

Is that really true? I see that there are plenty of proprietary RF solutions (not over IP). Maybe those ones work? If you google it, you'll find a million of those like
http://www.datalinkcom.net/wireless_radio_...24D-96RM-MR.htm
Is it know that these (or other) don't work for Elk either?

Signals propagate faster through the air than through copper ;-) , so it would just be an issue of encoding/decoding latency. If it's not really packetized, you have a shot. Don't know.

Laurent

 

[gatchel]

Simple contact closure over IP:

http://dataprobe.com/products/control/coe-8/index.html


Create a wireless point to point network and use something like the link above.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Wow! Those wireless devices are expensive...

It'd be great for rental apartments, though (keypads, sirens, etc.).