Renard questions from a newbie

[NanoWit]

I have ordered a Renard 64 board from WJohn but haven't received it yet.
In the meantime I have been doing a little reading here and have picked up some bits and pieces of information but haven't quite put it all together yet. So, here are my questions:

What is the difference between PWM and non-PWM use with the Renard board?

How are the PICs addressed? in other words, how does each PIC know when the info from the PC is intended for it? I didn't see any hardwired address on the schematic and looked through the PIC code and didn't notice any reference to setting an address for each PIC.

Where is the best place to get the PICs. I see that DigiKey has them for $2.80
Can they be purchased already programmed?

[holtm]

Non-PWM: there is a pulse sent to the opto to turn on the triac, then the triac will turn off at the next zero cross. With PWM code the opto is turned on and left on for the rest of the AC cycle. This was done so that LEDs will dim. They don't draw enough to "lock" in the triac with a pulse.

The PICs are address lineraly. Simly put. Each PIC receives a packet, takes off eight bytes for its self and then sends the rest on. There is a little more to it than that. See the wiki http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard#Protocol

There are some people on the forum that will program the PICs for you. Or you can buy a programmer and do it yourself. Mouser has them for 2.68 or 1.44 if you buy 25.

[shocker]

you can order your pic from microchip direct I have paid 1.47$

[NanoWit]

Thanks for the explanation and information.
I plan on using alot of LEDs in my setup so I assume I should go with the PWM method.

Here's a couple of follow up questions:
How do I set up for PWM operation? Is it a function of the Renard board or something set in Vixen?

Can You mix LEDs and Incandescent?

I read something somewhere that said if you are using LEDs you can put a resistive load on the line so the triacs will function normally.

[xmus]

Thanks for the explanation and information.
I plan on using alot of LEDs in my setup so I assume I should go with the PWM method.

Here's a couple of follow up questions:
How do I set up for PWM operation? Is it a function of the Renard board or something set in Vixen?

Can You mix LEDs and Incandescent?

I read something somewhere that said if you are using LEDs you can put a resistive load on the line so the triacs will function normally.

PWM is done in the firmware only.
Check out the wiki
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard_Main_Page
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard_Firmware

[Walden]

Yes you just hook up a set of mini lights to your leds stran(s) and it should function normaly.

[NanoWit]

Thanks for the replies, I'm learning a lot here.