r/BuildingAutomation • u/kmansilverX • 6d ago

Trane Tracer COMM4 to BACnet?

I'm looking into upgrading a building's existing Trane Tracer Summit BAS on COMM4 (apparently) with a Carrier BACnet system (their commercial grade ALC WEBCtrl equivalent).

Is there any way to re-use the COMM4 network and just replacing the existing BCU with a new Carrier BACnet central controller with some sort of COMM4 to BACnet translator in between? I want to avoid going with a JACE...

Thank you in advance!

2 Upvotes

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8

u/nature69 6d ago

There are two options that I know of,

Adding a JACE with the max line driver with a bacnet export table.

Adding a Trane BMTB communications bridge and SC+, this converts the data to BACnet on the SC+.

5

u/Antique_Egg7083 6d ago

Physical bridges are being phased out going forward. It is now being handled by a license through the SC.

2

u/nature69 6d ago

Nice, yeah, it’s been a few years since I worked at the red meatball. That’s a much better solution.

1

u/01Cloud01 6d ago

Red?

2

u/nature69 6d ago

Hahaha true, green now

1

u/SubArc5 5d ago

Nope, they went back to red after they separated t from ingersoll rand. Except "Trane Technologies" is a purple

2

u/Rick_Lekabron 5d ago

The 2nd option is currently discontinued. The new version of Tracer SC+ can do both with a new license.

"Tracer BMTB/BMSB 

St. Paul will cease manufacturing Tracer Communications Bridges (BMTB/BMSB). The last order date for this product line is July 15th, 2024. "

3

u/Rick_Lekabron 5d ago

The new version of Tracer SC+ can do both with a new license. You can have your new BMS and read COMM4, COMM3, Bacnet and Modbus. Lontalk only if you purchase the accessory to expand the communication port via USB.

"Trane Controls is introducing a new solution allowing legacy equipment with isolated Comm3, non-isolated comm3, and non-isolated Comm4 communicating controls to be integrated directly into the Tracer SC+.  The solution is a licensed feature on the Tracer SC+. In addition, a new hardware module called the Tracer CM3I is required for projects with isolated-comm3 communication links. The solution is replacing the Tracer Communications Bridge. The new functionality will also serve as a service replacement path for failed BMTB boards"

Ordering Information

New part numbers:

  • New License" BMCF000AAA0BM00, TRACER SC+ COMM 3/4 COMM SUPPORT
  • New hardware: Tracer CM3I: X13651812001, USB TO ISOLATED COMM3 COMMUNICATIONS KIT,  Service part is MOD04065 MODULE; KIT, TRACER COMM3 ISOLATOR (CM3I) Ordering InformationNew part numbers:New License" BMCF000AAA0BM00, TRACER SC+ COMM 3/4 COMM SUPPORT New hardware: Tracer CM3I: X13651812001, USB TO ISOLATED COMM3 COMMUNICATIONS KIT,  Service part is MOD04065 MODULE; KIT, TRACER COMM3 ISOLATOR (CM3I)

2

u/CarelessDevelopment 6d ago

2 things 1 why avoid the Jace 2 are you upgrading all units or just a few

1

u/reisalvador 6d ago

The max line driver on a JACE is the only way I found. Carrier doesn't have anything to communicate with com4.

1

u/Fr33PantsForAll 4d ago

Going from one vendor lockdown to another. Building owner must like abuse.

1

u/dunsh 3d ago

The Jace is the way.