Renard SS 16 Firmware PWM or NON-PWM?

[cswett]

Could someone please shed some light on the two variants of the Renard Firmware, I'm a bit confused.

If I'm using LED lights I want to set the firmware as PWM?

If I'm only using incandescent lights then I should use NON-PWM?

I guess my question is this, are there any cons to using the PWM version with incandescent lights? Does everything still work fine for dimming and timing and such?

2nd part of that question would be, if incondescents don't work correctly with PWM firmware on the Renard SS 16; could (1) pic be programmed as PWM and then the other programmed as NON-PWM?

Thanks in advance for the help on understanding this better.

[budude]

You can use PWM for all lights - both LED and incans. The non-PWM doesn't use as much power from the controllers and saves a bit on electricity usage. You can mix/match PWM and non-PWM code on the same board if you wish since there is no interaction between PICs (other than passing on sequence data).

[oldcqr]

bu is right, but let me give the specifics.

For SS series, just go ahead and use the PWM and forget about it. In the future when you start using LEDs, you won't have a problem.

So why are there 2 versions then? There are some boards that require logic power to be supplied externally. Each board will consume x watts of power just for logic. The PWM firmware consumes MORE wattage because instead of just tripping the triac ON, it keeps the pin on for the entire cycle. Longer logic on time = more logic power required.

The SS series has on-board transformers, with enough oomph for PWM firmware, so it doesn't matter. But for those people with external power, they have to ensure there is enough for every board. Since NON PWM firmware consumes less wattage, you can supply more boards from a single external supply.

[Wayne J]

The SS Renards were designed to be used with PWM firmware. Just flash the PICs with PWM and go blink. ;)