FST to T-Max - Page 2

tanu01 · 11-13-2004, 07:18 PM

Dan, ?

KnxTan · 11-15-2004, 08:05 AM

You don't have to daisy chain. Two wire network and address each T-Max.

SwedaGuy · 11-15-2004, 09:30 AM

If the cable goes from the controller to a timer and then to another timer and then to another timer...etc...that is the "daisy chain" network topology...

If each timer is wired directly to the controller by a dedicated cable, that is the "star" or "home run" network topology.

Draw it out on paper, it will make sense

sun2go · 11-15-2004, 07:12 PM

down side to the wiring? why is that? beter yet, go for the wireless setup from them, and forget cables complete.

tanfixr · 11-15-2004, 07:28 PM

The "down side" to daisy chain is that it is harder to isolate and troubleshoot network problems. But starting in January that won't be an issue. However, bed contact wires are still needed, as are the 12 volt power supply wires. But going wireless for network communication has the potential for a number of improvements not limited to retrofit issues.

SwedaGuy · 11-15-2004, 09:29 PM

Tanfixr is right...the support issues are harder on daisy chained equipment...I've been dealing with this stuff in POS for years and years...

In a star topology, if the link between the timer and one room goes down, just that room is out of commission. If a break occurs in a daisy chain, everything downline from that point is out. Or, even worse, in devices that don't self terminate, the whole net could be down, and you would have no idea where to start looking. We used to deal with this in ECRs all the time, still do to some extent...

If you think back to the earlier days of PC networks, ethernet had both of these topologies available...you could use the thin coax cable and daisy chain computers, or you could use twisted pair and home run them to a central hub. Well, more than a decade has passed and which system is still in use? That's right, the star topologies...you always hear people talking about hubs, routers, switchs, etc. No one uses the daisy chain model any more, network cards don't even have them...they are just outmoded.

Now, if the T-max timers each had their own IP address and encryption protocol, that would be tres cool...you could just plug them into your existing network hub. That would also make interfacing to a computer MUCH easier...and faster...

_________________
"Though the mills of the gods grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small..."[ This Message was edited by: SwedaGuy on 2004-11-15 21:30 ]

Tantime_timers · 11-16-2004, 10:52 AM

Not really sure if I am allowed to blow my own horn on this site but there is more than one provider of timers out there! More than one solution also.

SwedaGuy · 11-16-2004, 12:19 PM

Well, to tell you the truth...I'm not sure T-Max is the best out there...I don't know enough about the others to make that judgement. Besides, it would just be my opinion, anyway.

However, I'm faced with the reality that the new beds I'm getting have t-max timers built in. That wasn't my choice, that's just how it is. So, although I like the database unit I have, we're going to be swithching--just to keep things simple...

Now, if you can come up with a controller that will interface to the T-Max timers AND time the non-intelligent controllers in the other rooms, you'll have my attention...

SwedaGuy · 11-16-2004, 12:20 PM

BTW, yes they do have rules about spamming a particular product, but if you would like to PM me, I'd be happy to hear what you have to say...

tanfixr · 11-16-2004, 01:05 PM

Well no one in their right mind would ever accuse me of "spamming". So I will go ahead and say that TanTime room timers are a well built and well designed alternative that is Tmax compatible. One nice thing about TanTime is there is no need for separate wiring for the 12 volt power supplies.

I doesn't look like they would be applicable to your needs though because all you need is a front desk timer.

11-13-2004, 07:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
tanu01 "The Man" Join Date: Mar 4 2003 Location: ohio Posts: 3,976 Rep Power: 7	Dan, ?

11-15-2004, 08:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
KnxTan I love Derf!! Join Date: Oct 8 2004 Posts: 1,033 Rep Power: 8	You don't have to daisy chain. Two wire network and address each T-Max.

11-15-2004, 09:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
SwedaGuy Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Sep 3 2004 Posts: 777 Rep Power: 0	If the cable goes from the controller to a timer and then to another timer and then to another timer...etc...that is the "daisy chain" network topology... If each timer is wired directly to the controller by a dedicated cable, that is the "star" or "home run" network topology. Draw it out on paper, it will make sense

11-15-2004, 07:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
sun2go Join Date: Dec 14 2001 Location: Third Rock Posts: 294 Rep Power: 7	down side to the wiring? why is that? beter yet, go for the wireless setup from them, and forget cables complete.

11-15-2004, 07:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
tanfixr Join Date: Aug 12 2002 Location: Michigan Age: 44 Posts: 302 Rep Power: 6	The "down side" to daisy chain is that it is harder to isolate and troubleshoot network problems. But starting in January that won't be an issue. However, bed contact wires are still needed, as are the 12 volt power supply wires. But going wireless for network communication has the potential for a number of improvements not limited to retrofit issues.

11-15-2004, 09:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
SwedaGuy Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Sep 3 2004 Posts: 777 Rep Power: 0	Tanfixr is right...the support issues are harder on daisy chained equipment...I've been dealing with this stuff in POS for years and years... In a star topology, if the link between the timer and one room goes down, just that room is out of commission. If a break occurs in a daisy chain, everything downline from that point is out. Or, even worse, in devices that don't self terminate, the whole net could be down, and you would have no idea where to start looking. We used to deal with this in ECRs all the time, still do to some extent... If you think back to the earlier days of PC networks, ethernet had both of these topologies available...you could use the thin coax cable and daisy chain computers, or you could use twisted pair and home run them to a central hub. Well, more than a decade has passed and which system is still in use? That's right, the star topologies...you always hear people talking about hubs, routers, switchs, etc. No one uses the daisy chain model any more, network cards don't even have them...they are just outmoded. Now, if the T-max timers each had their own IP address and encryption protocol, that would be tres cool...you could just plug them into your existing network hub. That would also make interfacing to a computer MUCH easier...and faster... _________________ "Though the mills of the gods grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small..."[ This Message was edited by: SwedaGuy on 2004-11-15 21:30 ]

11-16-2004, 10:52 AM	#17 (permalink)
Tantime_timers Join Date: Nov 16 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Not really sure if I am allowed to blow my own horn on this site but there is more than one provider of timers out there! More than one solution also.

11-16-2004, 12:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
SwedaGuy Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Sep 3 2004 Posts: 777 Rep Power: 0	Well, to tell you the truth...I'm not sure T-Max is the best out there...I don't know enough about the others to make that judgement. Besides, it would just be my opinion, anyway. However, I'm faced with the reality that the new beds I'm getting have t-max timers built in. That wasn't my choice, that's just how it is. So, although I like the database unit I have, we're going to be swithching--just to keep things simple... Now, if you can come up with a controller that will interface to the T-Max timers AND time the non-intelligent controllers in the other rooms, you'll have my attention...

11-16-2004, 12:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
SwedaGuy Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Sep 3 2004 Posts: 777 Rep Power: 0	BTW, yes they do have rules about spamming a particular product, but if you would like to PM me, I'd be happy to hear what you have to say...

11-16-2004, 01:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
tanfixr Join Date: Aug 12 2002 Location: Michigan Age: 44 Posts: 302 Rep Power: 6	Well no one in their right mind would ever accuse me of "spamming". So I will go ahead and say that TanTime room timers are a well built and well designed alternative that is Tmax compatible. One nice thing about TanTime is there is no need for separate wiring for the 12 volt power supplies. I doesn't look like they would be applicable to your needs though because all you need is a front desk timer.

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