I bought a house with a VelbusLink installed. I changed the WiFi and I have no clue how to connect to the system. I have been told the system should be able to control the heater and the whole system of lights and plugs, but I don’t know how to start, and if it’s even possible to take over from the previous owner.
I don’t have an Ethernet plug on my laptop, so that sounds like the first issue to get started, but maybe there’s another way?
Also, over the past month I have add 4 sockets that stopped working. I plugged some lamps and after a few days or weeks, the power went off and I couldn’t use the plug anymore. These are smart sockets that are controlled by switch that are connected to the central application controlling the whole system. Any idea what could cause these kind of issue? Is that an hardware failure that needs replacing, or a normal behavior for smart plugs that haven’t been connected/used for a while?
Thank you
Hi,
More experienced help is on the way, I’m just the first line of help.
Welcome to the forum!
Congratulations on the purchase! VelbusLink is a piece of software. If you have a velbus installation in the house somewhere (fuse box?) there is a connection module that allows to plug a computer to it (laptop, raspberry pi, etc) and run VelbusLink software to configure the settings.
No need for ethernet to connect. USB of RS232 (!) is OK.
To my knowledge velbus doesn’t offer smart sockets, so maybe they are fed from velbus relays?
What to do:
Identify the velbus gateway or post photos of what you think is a gateway. We will help with the identification.
Connect USB cable to link the gateway with your laptop.
Run the software - refer to the manuals for info what to do next or come back with questions.
Normally there is no need to do it, but if you have problems or you’re adding new devices you will need it.
I changed the WiFi and I have no clue how to connect to the system. I have been told the system should be able to control the heater and the whole system of lights and plugs, but I don’t know how to start, and if it’s even possible to take over from the previous owner.
First things first: yes, it is indeed possible to take over from the previous owner. There is no encryption or authentication on the bus.
I don’t have an Ethernet plug on my laptop, so that sounds like the first issue to get started, but maybe there’s another way?
You won’t need Ethernet. In the majority of the Velbus installations the configuration happens through a module that exposes the bus through USB or (in some cases) RS232. You should look for a module such as (from the oldest to newest): VMB1USB, VMBRSUSB, VMBUSB-20 or similar in, most likely, the cabinet with the modules. Plug in, into that with your computer, run VelbusLink and you can confugure as you wish.
Also, over the past month I have add 4 sockets that stopped working. I plugged some lamps and after a few days or weeks, the power went off and I couldn’t use the plug anymore. These are smart sockets that are controlled by switch that are connected to the central application controlling the whole system. Any idea what could cause these kind of issue? Is that an hardware failure that needs replacing, or a normal behavior for smart plugs that haven’t been connected/used for a while?
Smart sockets (you mentioned adding some? can you please clarify?) is not something from the velbus ecosystem. As the first debugging steps: is the outlet into which the smart socket is plugged in itself powered? Did you check if all your plain breakers are “on” – maybe some have tripped? It is relatively rare that an outlet would be connected through a relay, but if it happens to be connected to a velbus relay at some point, there shouldn’t be much trouble to find it once you get your system loaded into VelbusLink – it will allow you to manually toggle relays to turn them on or off.
Thank you, I have spotted the components. I need to go and buy the correct cable for it.
However, I have this “interface server” box connected to my module, I don’t know if that changes the connection method? Do I need to unlug it to connect direct with the laptop? Having changed the WiFi, I don’t know how else I would connect (all port are used on that box).
Looking at the description of this VMBHIS device, it would seem to me that it will be connected via a USB cable to a VMBRSUSB or similar module. I think you could potentially consider removing this home center device entirely at first – power it down, unplug the USB & plug it back into a laptop or whatever device you have Velbus Link installed on. Then you should be able to connect to the system over USB and check/modify native automations. That way you’ll save yourself a cable purchase.
Somewhat less great news about the Home Center thing: this thing is somewhat likely to be protected by a password. They have a FAQ entry for this. If that’s indeed the case, it is likely that you might need to factory reset this module (as mentioned above and in the FAQ: reach out to the supplier) and set it up from scratch by yourself. The good news is that most likely it is not a crucial component in the installation and is just a method to give you buttons on a phone/tablet/computer. In which case you can for the time being remove the module entirely, find your bearings around what you have and only then consider reintroducing it (or something else?) back.
What about the previous owner? If he/she is still around they should be able to provide you some documentation about he system, including passwords.
Maybe they used a professional to install/maintain the system?
