Ren48LSD PCB Group Buy

[budude]

This Group Buy is now Closed!

First things first:

Group Buy Rules (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2919): read before posting in this thread.

By participating in this Group Buy all participants agree to release www.doityourselfchristmas.com (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com), its Owners, Administrators, Moderators or any other staff of any and all liability and waive all rights I may have under all laws and governing bodies. By posting in this thread you agree you are entering a binding contract between the Organizer and the Participant.

This is a group buy for the Ren48LSD PCB only (version v3b). What is a Ren48LSD? It is a 48-channel controller specifically designed to drive Frank's LED SuperStrips (LSD stands for LED Strip Driver btw...). It can drive up to 12 fully populated strips with all 4 channels (RGB+W) at full power using discrete transistors. It was discussed in this thread (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11014) and I based the bulk of the circuit from Wayne's Renard SS series of controllers except for the outputs of course.
Specs:

Can drive up to 12 strips with 4 colors each at full on or 360mA per output
Runs from 5vdc well regulated (bypassed regulator) or 9-12vdc using the regulator
Supports RS-232/485 operation with Renard protocol and RS-485 with DMX protocol using the appropriate code
Can be daisy-chained to another Renard based controller (either Renard or DMX code) but is not recommended to feed a normal DMX device due to how Renards handle the DMX stream
While it may be possible it can be used for other purposes I will not be supporting anything beyond use with Frank's SuperStrips or the specs mentioned above. I have tested all of the options above. There a couple via holes to bypass PICs 4-6 to make it a 24-channel controller or 6 strips if you don't need all 48 channels.

Price will be $9.00 (USD) shipped for the first board and $6.00 (USD) for each additional for US shipments using PayPal only to bu_dude@excite.com. Any non-US shipments will have shipping calculated separately and I'll PM the total to you. This group buy will end on 5/18 and I will order the boards that week. It takes ~2 weeks to get the boards and week or less to get the boards from me.

I've included a pic of the bare board (what you will get) and a completed board. I'll be posting an updated BOM shortly in this thread (it's about $40 for parts - single unit cost) and an assembly manual. This is my first GB - so - be gentle... :p

I have updated the BOM (http://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=3259d5ab65) on Mouser.



Order Update:

Member ## Paid Ship
===============================
dirknerkle 2 Y Y
mheuer 2 Y Y
rokket 4 Y Y
fathead45 10 Y Y
LabRat 2 Y Y
steve_hirst 3 Y Y
dlovely 2 Y Y
tjetzer 1 Y Y
mschell 2 Y Y
marble42 2 Y Y
christmas-light 2 Y Y
DIY Guy 2 Y Y
tlorek 2 Y Y
blickensderfer 2 Y Y
Dragon88 2 Y Y
Skunberg 3 Y Y
pmcpa 6 Y Y
brandoon 2 Y Y
chicken 16 Y Y
zaker 1 Y Y
Bumble Yeti Starman 1 Y Y
howdi124 4 Y Y
deplanche 2 Y Y
ukewarrior 2 Y Y
mikes 10 Y Y
dreday98 10 Y Y
DavidHenry 3 Y Y
lizard050 2 Y Y
oldcqr 2 Y Y
Trike 2 Y Y
trcons 2 Y Y
=============================
Total Boards: 108

[plasmata]

Nice looking board Brian! Now if only I had some SuperStrips to control...

[dirknerkle]

Ffffffffffantastic!!! I'm in for 2 boards and 1 BOM, Brian. I always get an extra board -- makes it easier to analyze tracings if the need arises later on.

[budude]

Ffffffffffantastic!!! I'm in for 2 boards and 1 BOM, Brian. I always get an extra board -- makes it easier to analyze tracings if the need arises later on.

Hi Dirk - Sorry - - this is for the PCB only - I wouldn't mind doing the full parts buy but I'm afraid I just don't have time at the moment... The BOM I posted in the other thread is pretty close - just a couple minor things to clean up.

[dirknerkle]

Works for me, Brian! Two boards is good enough! I'll send you some CHC... ccccooolllldddd.....hard.....casssssshhhhhhhh...

[mheuer]

Great design! They look nice.
The perfect way to drive my new flood strips.

I'm in for 2 PCB's.

Thanks!
Mike.

[rokkett]

I would like 4 of the boards, please.

(sent payment...)

[fathead45]

put me down for 10 boards.

[LabRat]

Two SVP (aka Por Favor (sp?) aka please)

Shipping to the Great White North.

[steve_hirst]

I'm in for 3.

I'll send you some paypal bucks in a few.

what about paypal fees?

[dlovely]

In for 2, I sent the payment. Thanks!!

[budude]

I'm in for 3.

I'll send you some paypal bucks in a few.

what about paypal fees?

PayPal fees have been included already.

Brian

[dlovely]

Hi Dirk - Sorry - - this is for the PCB only - I wouldn't mind doing the full parts buy but I'm afraid I just don't have time at the moment... The BOM I posted in the other thread is pretty close - just a couple minor things to clean up.

I would do the BOM coop, but can't yet until Sept (1 YR Member Rule). :( To get a good price we just need a min coop of 25 with the old BOM. I am sure interest would be a lot higher, would have to see how many PCBs get ordered in this coop. If no one does it by Sept I would give it a go.

[mschell]

I would do the BOM coop, but can't yet until Sept (1 YR Member Rule). :( To get a good price we just need a min coop of 25 with the old BOM. I am sure interest would be a lot higher, would have to see how many PCBs get ordered in this coop. If no one does it by Sept I would give it a go.

Just sent a PM to budude asking about just this thing. Hadn't done any analysis on cost breakdown, but if Brian agrees, I'd be willing to run a BOM coop in parallel with his PCB order. Might leave it open for a week longer while the PCBs are being made.

Will advise the group if this gets moving...

[christmas-light]

Hi

Can you PM me the total price for 2 board whit shipping to Denmark ? :D

[marble42]

put me down for two(2)
Thanks

[mschell]

OK, got the go-ahead from Brian for a BOM group buy.

So look for another thread in the next few days for signing up for the BOM group buy.

[budude]

One thing I forgot to mention is that I added a 3-pin header to support DMX pass-through but I did not test this. I didn't think it would be a heavily used option so I did not include the header for this in the BOM. If everyone feels this is more necessary than I think, then please voice your opinions. It's not a high cost item by any means but why buy it if you'll never use it...

Mark found that I had missed the power LED and the RS232 header so that has been added to the BOM. I only included a single shunt however since you can't have RS232 and DMX at the same time.

[tjetzer]

I'm in for 1. Sending payment now.

[mschell]

I'm in for 2 PCBs.

Now to figure out how to count the parts....:)

[DIY Guy]

Please put me down for (2) PCBs. Thanks!

[tlorek]

Count me in for 2 boards.

Thanks a bunch!

[blickensderfer]

Budude,

I've been kicking it around after working with Phil on the strips and I may go a different way. So instead of forty boards I'll get 2 and after the strips are done and work on everything I'll get the rest.

Thanks,
Dan

[Dragon88]

Put me down for 2

Thanks

[budude]

I would like to get 40 boards. Yes that is forty. I have 3000 SMD RGB 5050 Leds to drive.

Thanks,
Dan

ack - gack - err -- WOW :shock::shock::shock:... OK - that pretty much doubles the order I had planned on!

Can I ask how you are planning to drive these (how many dongles, etc) - DMX or Renard code?

again wow...

[christmas-light]

I will take 2 :D

[Skunberg]

Put me down for two please.

[blickensderfer]

budude,

I will drive them via DMX I have enough dongles to 4 universes this year. Will i get all them up and running this year, I don't know. When I have a long term plan, I like to get all the controllers that would drive the RGB+W strips. I will use the remaining RGBs with different setup.

AussiPhil and I are working on strips like Franks, but using RGB 5050 SMD and White 5050 SMD parts.

With the increased number of boards, will the cost of the boards be a little cheaper?

Dan

[budude]

budude,

I will drive them via DMX I have enough dongles to 4 universes this year. Will i get all them up and running this year, I don't know. When I have a long term plan, I like to get all the controllers that would drive the RGB+W strips. I will use the remaining RGBs with different setup.

AussiPhil and I are working on strips like Franks, but using RGB 5050 SMD and White 5050 SMD parts.

With the increased number of boards, will the cost of the boards be a little cheaper?

Dan

OK - well good luck to you on this! You'll have fun soldering in all those transistors x 40... I've done it 3x so far and that's about enough for me!

The board cost may go down a bit but not a lot - might be 50 cents but won't know until shipping is added from the vendor, etc. Once everything is out, I'll post PP rebates if that's the case. In your case shipping may be different as well after consolidating things.

[pmcpa]

I'm in for 2 boards

[marble42]

payment sent

[pmcpa]

paid!

[brandoon]

I'd like 2, thanks.

[chicken]

Add me in for 16. Looking at doing some RGB arches and a few other things. Thanks

Update... Paypal sent.

[zaker]

Payment sent for 1.
Thanks

[mschell]

payment sent for my 2...

[tlorek]

payment sent for 2.

Thanks!

[budude]

Last week for the CoOp - just about everyone is paid up. I'll be getting a handful of extra boards if you're on the fence down the road...

Brian

[dirknerkle]

Last week for the CoOp - just about everyone is paid up. I'll be getting a handful of extra boards if you're on the fence down the road...

Brian

You never thought this would get this big, did you??? You've made a VERY COOL THING!!! Thanks!!!

[pmcpa]

make mine 6 boards total (+4 to what I had said). Difference in Paypal being send now!

[Bumble Yeti Starman]

One board thanks Payment sent

[howdi124]

I'll take 4 boards please.

[deplanche]

I'd like 2 please.

[ukewarrior]

Payment for 2 boards sent.

[mikes]

I'll take 10 boards please.

Payment sent. thanks

[mschell]

Just a reminder, there is a BOM parts group buy happening at the same time in a different thread.

If you want to get in on a quantity buy for the parts, here (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11489) is the thread.

It's a shameless plug, but did want to remind everyone. Parts buy will be open till the end of the week.

[fathead45]

money sent, thanks

[budude]

Reminder - CoOp closes tomorrow - boards will be ordered the next day. Please:
1) Verify I have your quantity right in post #1
2) Send in your PayPal payment if you haven't done so already

All I can say is I'm glad I didn't go with my first idea of getting a batch of 40 boards since I thought that was way more than needed!

[dreday98]

I'll take 10 boards. payment sent

Thanks

[budude]

The Ren48LSD PCB Group Buy is now Closed!

Thank you all for your participation - everyone is paid up so we're good to go - boards will be ordered tomorrow. It will take about 2 weeks or so to get them and then allow another week to get to you - perhaps longer for you non-US folks...

Brian

[christmas-light]

WOW we hit 97 boards, nice :D

[budude]

WOW we hit 97 boards, nice :D

No argument there! Way beyond the interest thread anyway...

The boards have been ordered - should arrive in 12 days to me. I did order a few (but not many) extra if you want any more.

[dirknerkle]

Congratulations on a great board buy, Brian! You've got a winner there! :D

[budude]

Thanks Dave - and all because I wanted to add a few white LEDs to my strips - - brother! :p

[chicken]

Just think you made Christmas almost 5000 channels more blinky :)

[DavidHenry]

Just how many extra boards are there? I'd like to get 2 or 3, and need to decide before the parts buy closes out.

[budude]

Just how many extra boards are there? I'd like to get 2 or 3, and need to decide before the parts buy closes out.

I can cover that - they will cost $100 each though... :shock:




j/k - same price...

[DavidHenry]

I can cover that - they will cost $100 each though... :shock:


j/k - same price...

Free shipping included @100 each, right :) I can never turn down a deal. Payment for 3 sent.

[lizard050]

This looks great. Do you by any chance have 2 more extra???

[budude]

This looks great. Do you by any chance have 2 more extra???

ahhh - - I really liked the idea of an even 100... OK - - 2 more for you - only $200/each today... ok ok - same price as post #1...

If there are any more requests - please PM me from here out.

Brian

[lizard050]

awsome. I see what happens when me wife tells me to take a couple of months off. LOOK what I almost missed. Thanks

[budude]

The boards should arrive next Friday, June 4th so hopefully everyone will have them in their hands ('cept maybe the non-Staters) by the end of the week after.

[budude]

The boards arrived this morning - 100+ boards make for a heavy package!

I'll start preparing them for shipment this weekend and hopefully you'll get them next week!

[christmas-light]

Looking good :D

[fathead45]

oooo i cant wait. now time to get a parts order in woot.

[budude]

All boards are boxed/bagged up for shipment - it will all go out either tomorrow if I have a chance or Monday first thing.

[budude]

All boards shipped out today - let me know if you have any issues.

Brian

[dirknerkle]

All boards shipped out today - let me know if you have any issues.

Brian

Oh geeezzzz, Brian... you KNOW that I've got issues!!! :lol:

[budude]

Oh geeezzzz, Brian... you KNOW that I've got issues!!! :lol:

We ALL know that Dave but we try to be subtle about not pointing them out... :rolleyes:

[chicken]

Brian, got my boards in the mail today. Thanks!

[budude]

Brian, got my boards in the mail today. Thanks!

Dang! Kudos to USPS - that was fast!

[ukewarrior]

Got my boards today.
Thank you.

[pmcpa]

Boards arrived here in PA! Thanks!

[zaker]

Mine got to PA also, thanks!!

[mschell]

Mine showed up in NC as well.

Parts group buy members - sorting will start this weekend, so hopefully you'll see parts kits in the next week or so.

[DIY Guy]

My boards arrive today. Thanks, Brian, this group buy was a pleasure. I can't wait to try out your design.

[blickensderfer]

I received my boards too.

Thanks,
Dan

[tjetzer]

Got my board today too. Thanks Brian!

[marble42]

gt my boards today Thank Brain

[fathead45]

got my boards, thanks alot

[tlorek]

Bright red boards arrived today.

Thanks, Brian!!

[budude]

I show all the US packages as received - - please let me know if this is not the case.

Can I get confirmation when the international folks get theirs so I can close up on this one? I have 4 to confirm - 2x Australia, 1x Canada, 1x Denmark.

I'll run an interest thread around August or so for additional boards if anyone is interested.

Thanks!
Brian

[christmas-light]

I show all the US packages as received - - please let me know if this is not the case.

Can I get confirmation when the international folks get theirs so I can close up on this one? I have 4 to confirm - 2x Australia, 1x Canada, 1x Denmark.

I'll run an interest thread around August or so for additional boards if anyone is interested.

Thanks!
Brian

I will let you know when I get my boards here in denmark ;)

[dirknerkle]

I got mine. There was some curious white powder on the board... so I tasted it and now I'm seeing all sorts of colors....and swirls...and...and..

"Everything is beautifullllllll.....like, wow man....I think I'm feelin' groovy..." :mrgreen:


Can't wait to get soldering all those little trannysitters!!!

[budude]

I got mine. There was some curious white powder on the board... so I tasted it and now I'm seeing all sorts of colors....and swirls...and...and..

"Everything is beautifullllllll.....like, wow man....I think I'm feelin' groovy..." :mrgreen:

*shhhhhhh* that's a bonus - can't talk about it...

[oldcqr]

*shhhhhhh* that's a bonus - can't talk about it...

HEY! Where's mine then???????? :p

[budude]

HEY! Where's mine then???????? :p

Sorry - you were late for the party and everyone used it all up... ;)

[LabRat]

Anyone want to lay odds that that Canadian one is the lat one?
(Keep in mind that Eeyore's cloud tends to follow me everywhere...)

[dirknerkle]

Anyone want to lay odds that that Canadian one is the lat one?
(Keep in mind that Eeyore's cloud tends to follow me everywhere...)

You mean you're the Canadian version of Joe Btfsplk?

[howdi124]

I can confirm my 4 boards arrived here today in sydney.

[mheuer]

I found my two boards when I got back into town.

A neat board to drive my new super strips! :cool:

[oldcqr]

So, am I the first person (besides Brian) to have completed building one of these?

:p

[LabRat]

You mean you're the Canadian version of Joe Btfsplk?

Had to google the reference.. but yes.. it does feel like that some days.
But then there are the *other* days... which do eventually make up for it.
Like a week ago last Wednesday, when I found I just won a DELL Netbook
from a fishbowl draw at a conference.

Just waiting to see if I can get Vixen running on it. :o)

[mschell]

So, am I the first person (besides Brian) to have completed building one of these?

:p

Mike,
You may be, as most of the folks are still waiting for me to sort parts from the group buy. I've got 75 kits to sort, including 3600 transistors, 3600 470 Ohm resistors and lots of other stuff. I did manage to sort all the RJ45 jacks into bags.

I'm supposed to get some help this weekend and plan to make lots of progress.

[oldcqr]

Mike,
You may be, as most of the folks are still waiting for me to sort parts from the group buy. I've got 75 kits to sort, including 3600 transistors, 3600 470 Ohm resistors and lots of other stuff. I did manage to sort all the RJ45 jacks into bags.

I'm supposed to get some help this weekend and plan to make lots of progress.

OOPS! I didn't mean that as a slam against you! I didn't even realize that you were still sorting parts.... :oops:

I was just trying to gloat/be cute. I failed. -10 internets for me..... :(

To make up for it:
1 - I took a bunch of pics that I'll put on my website ASAP (hopefully tonight)
2 - I already corrected an error in the wiki (Bri forgot the instruction for the 680 ohm LED resistor)
3 - I'll write a 'gotchas and hints' article as well.

[mschell]

I didn't take it as a slam, and am glad that you got one put together.

I'd much rather let you be the "guinea pig" and be the first to find any issues with the assembly process.

Mark

[LabRat]

"I see RED people^H^H^H^H^Hcb's"


(Translation: The two boards arrived here in the Great White North... Eh!)

[christmas-light]

Hmmm what is that ?

OH I know it is the boards, THANKS for this group buy ;)

[LabRat]

I must say I was surprised that the exposed copper wasn't tinned. Was this design intent to keep the "glowing red" feel to them? Or was it a side effect of keeping the costs down?

[pmcpa]

I was also kinda surprised by this, not offended, just thought it was odd!

[oldcqr]

I was also kinda surprised by this, not offended, just thought it was odd!

I don't know if it's me or the board, but I noticed that it solders a little differently -- Things needed a little more heat/time. For example, on my Weller iron I usually run about 3.2, for these I was up to 4.1 on normal pads, and 4.5 (with extra time) on ground plane tabs.

Once I got used to that, they were a snap. The resist is pretty good, and they flow nice.

[LabRat]

I must say I was surprised that the exposed copper wasn't tinned. Was this design intent to keep the "glowing red" feel to them? Or was it a side effect of keeping the costs down?

Oh.. perhaps its a result of the thicker copper. Hadn't thought of that.

[budude]

I know the 1oz proto was much easier to solder than the 2oz final version. The only part it's difficult is the emitters of the transistors - the rest seemed to solder up fairly well (for me anyway). I hadn't really thought about the mask that much but I'll look into it for the next round. Perhaps it's something I did or didn't check off when the board were made. I've built up 4 now so I know it works OK though. Please let me know of any other issues you come up with.

[mikes]

Boards have finally made it here to outback WA ( Western Australia not Washington ).

Many Thanks.

Mike

[budude]

Boards have finally made it here to outback WA ( Western Australia not Washington ).

Many Thanks.

Mike

Good to hear! With that, I have everyone as having received their boards now - please let me know if that is not the case.

Brian

[oldcqr]

Mine are built, and the power supplies arrived yesterday. Now to work up the nerve to power them up! :cool:

[budude]

I must say I was surprised that the exposed copper wasn't tinned. Was this design intent to keep the "glowing red" feel to them? Or was it a side effect of keeping the costs down?

My apologies to all - I found an option in the order process that I missed. The selection was for "Surface Finish" which I took to be a coating of some sort -- well this is where the option is to specify the type of tinning you want (obvious right?). I had assumed the plating was a given but since I didn't select anything, it went to "None" so - no plating... :oops:

Sorry about that - at least I know for next time... It should help to apply a dab of flux on the emitter connection points. As I said, I've put together 4 of these so far so it's still very workable - if you feel strongly the other way I will gladly refund all monies paid including postage of the boards back to me - no questions asked...

Brian

[pmcpa]

thanks for the update! Just a question, and I don't think it matters once you solder to it, but should we be concerned with the bare copper not being as weather tough? Again, I guess it doesn't matter once we solder to it!

[ukewarrior]

thanks for the update! Just a question, and I don't think it matters once you solder to it, but should we be concerned with the bare copper not being as weather tough? Again, I guess it doesn't matter once we solder to it!

Yes, you should be concerned. PCBs where the copper has not been tinned will begin to corrode the moment they are manufactured. If you do not populate your board right away, you may have to 'cleanup' the copper pads before you solder with a scotchbright pad. Once you solder them, you have effectively tinned the pad !

I found it very odd that the pads were not tinned. This is not a practice I would recommend for anyone doing other board group buys.

[pmcpa]

ok, so bottom line, we need to tin the surface of our boards for a long usage life. that's what I thought....

Now I can build all these boards once I get the parts from the GB :-P

[budude]

ok, so bottom line, we need to tin the surface of our boards for a long usage life. that's what I thought....

Now I can build all these boards once I get the parts from the GB :-P

Nope - it's not bare copper - it's got a coating that burns off when you solder - no worries...

Anyway - - just a note to say that ALL boards (108) are now gone! I'll look at doing another coop in September or so for the late crowd. I'll be sure they are plated next time as well as any issues that might crop up fixed (I already know there are some silkscreen changes to make). Thank you all for a great first Group Buy.

Brian

[dirknerkle]

Nope - it's not bare copper - it's got a coating that burns off when you solder - no worries...

Anyway - - just a note to say that ALL boards (108) are now gone! I'll look at doing another coop in September or so for the late crowd. I'll be sure they are plated next time as well as any issues that might crop up fixed (I already know there are some silkscreen changes to make). Thank you all for a great first Group Buy.

Brian

Can you pre-build all those trannysitters into the tracings?!!?!?!? :p :p

[Trike]

I got one my boards populated. Waiting on some cable to try it out. For the other board, I was thinking of populating it for now and using it for the mighty mini's with 24v. I'm waiting for RPM's 16 Channel Board to get delivered. In the mean time, I was going to try the REN48LSD to drive the Mini's. I know the regulator can't handle the heat from the 24v, So I'm debating on giving this a try. http://www.ereshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75&products_id=188

EDIT: didn't realize they were located in Thailand and costs $8.85 to ship it to the states. I thought it was a nice solution, but pretty expensive and it would hang off the side of the board.

The mini should only draw 200ma/channel.

What do you think?

Note: Everyone is probably already aware, but I just wanted to share my experience during assembly. Watch out for cold solder joints. I believe since the pads weren't tinned, it does require a little more heat and time for it to flow. I had my hakko turned up to about 700. I'm pretty sure I got all the joints good, but I'll find out in a few days when I power it up. :)

[oldcqr]

Note: Everyone is probably already aware, but I just wanted to share my experience during assembly. Watch out for cold solder joints. I believe since the pads weren't tinned, it does require a little more heat and time for it to flow. I had my hakko turned up to about 700. I'm pretty sure I got all the joints good, but I'll find out in a few days when I power it up. :)

That was my experience too: http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11773