Newb question with ren64 and ren-T

[Penfold]

I read somewhere here that I should hook up a ren-T if I am hooking up a couple of Olsens and a Ren-C. I probably read that wrong.

My ultimate goal it to get situated with three to four Ren64 boards. Will I have to hook up a Ren-T to this :shock: ? I am not quite sure how this Ren-T works out. All I know is that it is a transformer of sorts. Just trying to figure it all out here....

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Wayne J]

If you are going use a RenC, then a RenT can provide the Zero Cross signal that the board needs.

If you plan to use Ren64's then the RenT will provide the Zero Cross signal those also, but, if you plan you run your boards with non-PWM firmware, 1 Ren-T can also power 2 Ren64 boards. If you plan to use PWM firmware, then you will need to use an alternate power supply.

[ppohlman]

If you're interested in buying a REN-T, make sure you get in on the coop that is going on right now.

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1782

The more people we get, the cheaper it will cost.

[Penfold]

You mention alternate power up. Could I use an old power supply that I have lying around in full tower case (circa 1996) as the power? (Red and black wires soldered directly to the board)

And one other question what is this zero cross that I keep reading about? Please illuminate what that means.


Mike





*****If you strangle a smuf what color does it turn?*****

[Wombat]

The Zero Crossing is how the controller determines the begging of each mains half cycle.

It uses a transformer and rectifies the output to voltage pulses which it then detect when the voltage falls to near zero volts each half cycle. It then uses this information to syncronise when to turn the triac on in order to DIM it. The later it turns it on in the half cycle the Dimmer the output will be.

You will get two pulses per cycle or 100Hz (AU) or 120Hz (US)

A bit technical but basicallay it determines the timing the Board uses to pulse the triac to alow it to dim

Wombat

[Gemiengiree]

my goal: daisy chain (4) ren64's

my questions -

1. best ZC Alternative? i want to use the per port LED lights, and plan on using the PWM firmware if i can ever figure that out...my guess is i want to use Alt 1

2. how would i power the ren64's? what power supply would i use and do i need one for each board or can i use one for all 4 boards?

3. whats the deal with the PWM firmware and microchips?

4. how does the ren64 connect to my pc? i read about a serial connector, but what kind of serial?

i cant seem to visualize this project so i have more questions but i can only handle so much info at one time

appreciate any help someone could offer

-Matt-

[P. Short]

Right now four Ren-64 controllers is too many for one serial controller.

--

Phil

[Gemiengiree]

*sigh*

ok...then any ideas of how i would do it?

:?

[cmurray]

Matt
A second serial port works just fine.
Even USB to serial converters work ok.

You could do 128 channels on two different serial ports on the same machine.

Joel

[Gemiengiree]

ok....so i can run 2 ren64's on serial port and the other 2 on usb with converter...
that takes care of question 4....thank you joel

now for the other 3

my questions -

1. best ZC Alternative? i want to use the per port LED lights, and plan on using the PWM firmware if i can ever figure that out...my guess is i want to use Alt 1-is that correct?

2. how would i power the ren64's? what power supply would i use and do i need one for each board or can i use one for all 4 boards?

3. whats the deal with the PWM firmware and microchips?

thanks for the help

-Matt-

[Macrosill]

Phil,
Is it that 4 Ren 64s is too much for the Ren-T to handle? According to the channel chart on the Christmas Wiki (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard) at 100ms timing you can have 287 channels at 57600 baud.

[Wayne J]

ok....so i can run 2 ren64's on serial port and the other 2 on usb with converter...
that takes care of question 4....thank you joel

now for the other 3

my questions -

1. best ZC Alternative? i want to use the per port LED lights, and plan on using the PWM firmware if i can ever figure that out...my guess is i want to use Alt 1-is that correct?

2. how would i power the ren64's? what power supply would i use and do i need one for each board or can i use one for all 4 boards?

3. whats the deal with the PWM firmware and microchips?

thanks for the help

-Matt-

#1.. The Ren-T is a good way that gives a little more simple means of hooking things up, BUT, you can make a ZC generator with a 12.6 CT transformer, two diodes and a resisor. The schematic for it is in the Wiki.


#2.... You can use a power supply from a old PC, or tap into the PC you will use for the show. Mouser (and others) have power supplies that will work great also for around 20 - 30 bucks.

#3... not sure what your asking.

[Mudsculpter]

3. whats the deal with the PWM firmware and microchips?

thanks for the help

-Matt-

Let me try

The firmware is a set of instructions that is recorded on a pic microchip to decifer the commands that the Vixen software sends in order to control the blinky flashy / dimmy darky.

[Wayne J]

Let me try

The firmware is a set of instructions that is recorded on a pic microchip to decifer the commands that the Vixen software sends in order to control the blinky flashy / dimmy darky.

:lol: dimmy darky :lol:

good one! 8)

[Gemiengiree]

3. whats the deal with the PWM firmware and microchips?

thanks for the help

-Matt-

Let me try

The firmware is a set of instructions that is recorded on a pic microchip to decifer the commands that the Vixen software sends in order to control the blinky flashy / dimmy darky.

lol...well put...but i guess my question is - how to get the firmware to the board?

[ppohlman]

You use a PIC programmer and download the firmware onto the microchip. There are several posts about this in the Renard -> PIC Code forum.

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=36

Read through there to get several of your answers.

[Wayne J]

You need a programmer, ie PicKit1 or PicKit2, (there are others also). You download the .asm file from the wiki and use software such as MPLabs to assemble the .hex file then use the programmer to write the .hex to the PIC

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=524

[Mudsculpter]

with one of these

http://www.microchipdirect.com/images/devtools/PG164120.jpg


http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductDetails.aspx?Catalog=BuyMicrochip&Category=&ProductID=PG164120#PG164120

[Gemiengiree]

ok...thats what i was looking for

many thanks

but that brings me to my next question - can i buy the pics with the firmware already loaded? and if so, where?

[wjohn]

ok...thats what i was looking for

many thanks

but that brings me to my next question - can i buy the pics with the firmware already loaded? and if so, where?

Matt,

Many of us who have PICKITs will flash PICs for others, just ask. As long as you provide the PICs and cover costs, I am sure there is some one local to you who can help.