Confused About Command Bus

[Jamie]

Hi everyone,

I'm unclear as to how to physically set up a collective with the command bus cables and whether or not I need terminators.

I currently have a Hydros Start, and plan to add an X4 and an XP8. I plan to have all three plugged into normal 120v outlets. Where I get confused is what to do with command bus/terminators. Do I need two command bus cables and two terminators? Does it provide some power redundancy to have them both be data+power?

I'm assuming that I'd do something along the lines of:

X4 with terminator in one slot, command bus (power+data) cable going to XP8

XP8 with incoming command bus from both X4 and Start

Start with terminator in one slot, command bus (power + data) cable going to XP8


Does that make sense or am I thinking about this wrong?

Thanks!

 

[mhreefer]

You got it right.

The beginning and end of the chain need terminators.

Pro tip, grab a couple of wifi plugs and put one on each part of the collective that is powered from the wall. This is because in order to add another controller to the collective you have to power down the whole collective, and you can't do that from the app. I was crawling under the stand for a little bit before I added the plugs.

 

[Danny]

Hi everyone,

I'm unclear as to how to physically set up a collective with the command bus cables and whether or not I need terminators.

I currently have a Hydros Start, and plan to add an X4 and an XP8. I plan to have all three plugged into normal 120v outlets. Where I get confused is what to do with command bus/terminators. Do I need two command bus cables and two terminators? Does it provide some power redundancy to have them both be data+power?

I'm assuming that I'd do something along the lines of:

X4 with terminator in one slot, command bus (power+data) cable going to XP8

XP8 with incoming command bus from both X4 and Start

Start with terminator in one slot, command bus (power + data) cable going to XP8


Does that make sense or am I thinking about this wrong?

Thanks!

The X4 does not have it's own power input and gets it power from the command bus. Both the Start and the XP8 are power givers so there is some redundancy for power there. Yes you will need the terminators. The have resistors in them that allows communications between the controllers over the command bus. For 3 controllers you will need 2 command bus cables. If you get the X4 pro pack it comes with the X4, XP8, 1 Command bus cable and 2 terminators. It also has a pH probe and a temp sensor in the package. So if you get the X4 Pro pack you would just need to get the second command bus cable to go between the Start and one of the other controllers.

 

[Jamie]

The X4 does not have it's own power input and gets it power from the command bus. Both the Start and the XP8 are power givers so there is some redundancy for power there. Yes you will need the terminators. The have resistors in them that allows communications between the controllers over the command bus. For 3 controllers you will need 2 command bus cables. If you get the X4 pro pack it comes with the X4, XP8, 1 Command bus cable and 2 terminators. It also has a pH probe and a temp sensor in the package. So if you get the X4 Pro pack you would just need to get the second command bus cable to go between the Start and one of the other controllers.

One more quick question, does the START have power isolation from the command bus? In other words, can I plug in both the START and the XP8 to wall outlets and also connect them via a power/data command bus cable?

The documentation on the Hydros page says we can do this with the XP8, Kraken, XD, Sole, X10 and Wave Engine...but no mention of START or LAUNCH. Thanks!

 

[Jamie]

I got a reply from Coralvue, that yes, the START has power isolation (but to make sure to power down before connecting command bus connections or terminators).

 

[Itstoohot]

That is correct you have to power down all devices. Also make sure before you connect the cables, update the firmware and connect to your wifi. After that you shut them all down then connect the cables and terminators.

 

[Danny]

I got a reply from Coralvue, that yes, the START has power isolation (but to make sure to power down before connecting command bus connections or terminators).

yes always power everything down when connecting or disconnecting command bus connections.The only power supply that does not have the isolation is the one that connects directly to the command bus. If it connects to a separate power cable then the isolation is in the controller between the power input and the command bus. That also goes for the ones with an AC plug also. The isolation is in the controller between the built in power supply and the command bus.