DIGWDF Store Announcement [Archive] - Do It Yourself Christmas Forums

dirknerkle

02-07-2012, 02:28 PM

The DIGWDF Store at Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory is open for business!

Why do we have it?
For the past couple years we've supplied Ren-W boards to the DIYC community via the "group buys" forum. It hasn't made any sense, really, since there's really no real "group buy" going on -- it's just where the program seemed to fit. Well, the Dirkmeister thought that rather than answer numerous PMs and postings about "are there any of these left?" and "how do I buy one?" and "what's the difference between...", etc. it would be much, much more convenient to set up a store, replenish stock levels as the need arose and dispense with all the other stuff. That's the main reason why. The secondary reason is just for fun. We plan to put "stuff" out there on the store over time -- stuff that you know you can't do without...

Basic Plan
Our plan is to maintain a basic stock of a few select items, in particular Ren-W and specific MiniRen boards and once in a while, throw in some sort of special for some new goofy thing that we've created that you know you absolutely need to have!

Registration Required
You'll need to register to order from the DIGWDF store, and I'm looking at disabling some of the information requirements that are currently there. We don't need to know your shoe size, height or IQ, and since all payments (PayPal and credit cards) are handled by PayPal, we won't be storing your credit card information. Note though that if paying by credit card, PayPal will validate the address you provide with your credit card and the card may be rejected if they aren't a match. Note also that is our policy not to provide any of your personal information to anyone for any reason.

Pricing Plan
Our goal is to include free shipping with every item based on shipping to the continental United States. Of course, you know as well as I do that what "free" means is that the shipping is already figured into the item price, so that's no big whoop... (Even so, it sounds pretty good!) Otherwise, it is also our goal to keep prices as low as we possibly can given the demand for a specific item. Obviously, products that have shorter stock levels often incur greater production expense which makes the cost per item higher. Sorry, we can't help that -- we didn't invent mathematics...

Shipments to Other Countries
The store is set up to convert to a few different currencies and of course, U.S. Dollars is always appropriate. However, because shipping to other countries fluctuates so greatly, we will provide an individual quote on shipping to your location for all non-U.S. deliveries. Therefore, be sure to include a valid email address OR your DIYC username so we can get back to you with the quote when the delivery address is outside the United States. Thanks.

Keeping Up-To-Date
We will check stock levels regularly and reorder stock as appropriate. However, there may be times when we are just flat out. We'll try to keep the front page up-to-date with status information about stock replenishment in progress... Thanks in advance for your patience.

Exclusivity
All (or almost all) of our circuit board layouts are currently available on DIYC in either the file library or elsewhere. They are or will be available in the file library at diychristmas.org as well, so you can always etch your own as it comes to one of our designs. However, we reserve for ourselves any commercial or mass-production of our designs and ask end-users to respect that. And as many of our designs mimic the designs of others, commercial production for profit is prohibited.

There you have it folks. All the news that's fit to print, and some of it to read... And as I write this, I see that one of our one-of-a-kind prototypes has already been spoken for! DIGWDF Store is the place to go to find stuff that you either won't find anywhere else or, in some cases, stuff that you can't believe anybody would even bother to make!

FIRECOP252

02-07-2012, 02:33 PM

I would like 10 wireless extension cords!!!!!!!! Didnt I see them in the store? lol

angus40

02-07-2012, 03:06 PM

If you buy 12 you get a free left handed screw driver !

FIRECOP252

02-07-2012, 03:07 PM

Thats perfect because Im left handed....How did you know that???? :wacko:

angus40

02-07-2012, 03:28 PM

Must be my alzheimers acting up !

michaelc

02-07-2012, 03:48 PM

Just added to my favorites.

bud29

02-07-2012, 04:31 PM

Just added to my favorites, and spent money at it. Gonna give wireless a try this year.

michaelc

02-07-2012, 04:53 PM

dirknerkle

02-07-2012, 05:25 PM

Unfortunately I'm all DMX so far. As soon as I get my E1.31 bridge up, I will try connecting it to a REN-W.

Here is what might be a stupid question. Assuming I want to use RENARD protocol instead of DMX to drive my SS16's. What do I physically need to connect from my computer to the REN SS boards? I do not have any serial ports only USB. What connects the USB port to the SS16? Is there a piece of equipment in the middle somewhere?

It's a good question. Renard uses serial input, either RS-232 or RS-485. You'd need a USB to RS-xxx to connect directly from your PC to an SS16. Personally I'd suggest an USB to Rs-485 converter since RS485 is more robust and will serve you better in the long run.

Skunberg

02-07-2012, 06:43 PM

It's a good question. Renard uses serial input, either RS-232 or RS-485. You'd need a USB to RS-xxx to connect directly from your PC to an SS16. Personally I'd suggest an USB to Rs-485 converter since RS485 is more robust and will serve you better in the long run.

I think this was in reference to using Ren-W. So a USB Explorer board with X-bee radio at the PC, And a Ren-W or Ren-W snap-in at the ren16SS.

Brian

DIY Sparks

02-07-2012, 10:09 PM

WARNING! Watch out for the "specials."

13176

budude

02-07-2012, 10:47 PM

I'm hoping that's the price they PAY you to take the stuff away...

dirknerkle

02-07-2012, 10:49 PM

I would like 10 wireless extension cords!!!!!!!! Didnt I see them in the store? lol

Here at DIGWDF, we don't take any suggestions or requests for granted. In response to what appears to be an agonizingly urgent plea (8 exclamation marks), we have worked our engineers to the bone to fill Firecop252's request, and we are very pleased to offer this photo of our first working prototype: the DIGWDF wireless extension cord.

Notice the smooth lines, the protective end, and of course, there is no connection between the two ends because -- it's wireless! Your friends will be amazed -- they'll hardly know it's there! Your neighbors won't see any wires in the yard at all. And it's a snap to install, too! What's more, with this new product, you won't have any of the flickering you often get with LEDs -- this cord can give you a completely snubberless installation. And while this prototype is in a cream white color, we plan to offer a rainbow of 147 color options (including plaid and paisley) when production begins in April.

Our accounting department is working on pricing now, and our engineers are already working feverishly with the production staff to turn out what is sure to become another hit with the DIY lighting crowd.

So save your pennies -- the FC252 wireless extension cord will be available at the DIGWDF store soon!

Another product from DIGWDF - Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory. At DIGWDF we don't separate fact from fiction, we make our own rules as we go along.

djulien

02-07-2012, 11:05 PM

(including plaid and paisley)

Where do you source those?

don

Slite

02-08-2012, 02:33 AM

I'm hoping that's the price they PAY you to take the stuff away...

How do you think I feel? I had to eat the damn stuff every christmas growing up! :cry: Which is why I swore a solemn oath that I would NEVER expose my own kids to the vile stuff!

Instead I married a woman from the northern parts of Sweden that loves something called "surströmming", which basicly is fermented herring, and much, MUCH worse than Lutfisk could ever be! :omg:

rfallatt

02-08-2012, 09:05 AM

Another product from DIGWDF - Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory. At DIGWDF we don't separate fact from fiction, we make our own rules as we go along.

Good one... good luck on the new venture. I will soon be placing an order for Ren-W. This is my first year and Im doing it wireless! Am I nuts?

ErnieHorning

02-08-2012, 09:57 AM

Am I nuts?Of coarse, why else would you be here? :razz:

FIRECOP252

02-08-2012, 10:04 AM

Thanks Dirk, I knew you would come through. My dream of all wireless will be complete once I have those and a few other parts from this GREAT store. Cant wait for production to begin on the FC252. See what all this talk of wireless does to a person. :wow: Thanks again Dirk for doing this. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEW CORDS!!!!!

michaelc

02-08-2012, 10:39 AM

Dirk,

You left off another attribute of your wireless plugs. They are green. They are the most "Energy Saving" component of your display.

LabRat

02-08-2012, 10:50 AM

tweist

02-08-2012, 11:17 AM

the DIGWDF wireless extension cord.

Dirk, I'm starting to worry about you. I think its time you let the R&D group have a vacation.

Wireless Extension Cords!!! Really!!!! I figured DIGWDF could do much worse than that.

dirknerkle

02-08-2012, 12:12 PM

When can we expect the range extended versions? I heard through BLINKYLEAKS.COM that you will soon start shipping only the receiver portion of the pair, leaving the other one plugged in at the source. This will be an amazing savings, as it should cut shipping costs in half. Have you heard anything more from the Senate hearings with regards to cross border transmission of the power, and I'm sure our EU cousins are eagerly awaiting to hear how you will be dealing with the 120/240 issues.

Looking forward to the next whitepapers on the topic.

We have solved the cross-border issue with a new camoflage paint so that neither end can be seen from the air or via satellite. However, the paint has created quite a conundrum for our testers, where we can only see these inside the lab. Once we put them outdoors for the actual live-condition testing, we've been unable to find them again afterward. More research is in order... The 220v model has an additional exentiamator installed in the receiving end plug that is jumper-selectable for the voltage of your choice. Choices are 120, 170, 200, 220 and 240volts.

Last question: Will you be publishing the patent information? I'm curious as I had tried and failed to achieve this myself. Unfortunately I only had partial success as it only seemed to transmit the "wrong half" of the A/C wave, when hooked to my LED strands?

Our engineers initially experienced the same half-wave problem as you but in their wisdom, realized that the problem is not with the wave itself but is simply a misunderstanding in reading the oscilloscope tracing. The application of a small hand-held mirror is all that is necessary to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, since mirrors are commonly available and have been for dozens of years, we don't think it's a patentable solution.

michaelc

02-08-2012, 12:18 PM

"rectify the problem" ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!! I guess can say you've taken the problem and fully rectified it.

Slite

02-08-2012, 12:28 PM

Am I nuts?

Nope, just infected with C.L.A.P. (as we all are)

budude

02-08-2012, 01:24 PM

CaptKirk

02-08-2012, 01:59 PM

If I'm to steal - errr - *borrow* (wink) - electricity from my multiple neighbors patio light plugs...

Brian, you are looking at this wrong- you are not stealing or borrowing from your neighbors in this scenario, you are allowing them to actively and directly participate in the lighting process!

dirknerkle

02-08-2012, 02:10 PM

Dr. Dirk - how are you managing multiple wireless extension cords? I see no dip switches or programming interface of any type. If I'm to steal - errr - *borrow* (wink) - electricity from my multiple neighbors patio light plugs I need to ensure the right stream of power goes to the right end or I could get an overload condition!!! Also - being DIYC where we expect open source - I'd like to see the schematics and code for this as well so we can make our own (and any alterations like the obvious one of having 126.55 Hz line frequency) if we want.

In the last posting, I mentioned:

The 220v model has an additional exentiamator installed in the receiving end plug that is jumper-selectable for the voltage of your choice.

There is an exentiamator in every unit. The exentiamator provides all of the functionality users would need to identify the power source and prevent an overload condition via its internal serial number, creating a matched pair. The current exentiamator firmware can be easily modified to set both the source and destination line frequencies, so you have nothing to worry about. There is no need to purchase a new firmware programmer as we have ensured compatibility with all the currently available PicKit models. However, a special Exentiamatortator Programmer will be an available option for those who are PicKit-challenged.

Reminder: it is extremely difficult to find the camoflaged units after they are put into operation, so be sure to map the GPS coordinates of both the originator and receiver ends.

Thank you for your question. Our engineers are eager to tackle any problem, unlike the Minnesota Vikings who are unable to tackle anything...

LabRat

02-08-2012, 02:12 PM

Imperialkid

02-08-2012, 02:39 PM

Thank you for your question. Our engineers are eager to tackle any problem, unlike the Minnesota Vikings who are unable to tackle anything...

Dirkmeister ... amazing. Thanks for the daily smiles:w00t:

budude

02-08-2012, 03:16 PM

Thanks so much for the clarification - it's all perfectly clear now!

Slite

02-08-2012, 03:19 PM

Thanks so much for the clarification - it's all perfectly clear now!

Really? :hmm::hmm::hmm::hmm::hmm:

rfallatt

02-08-2012, 03:35 PM

(or perhaps you haven't run into this within your display :) )

bazinga
:ohmy:

OregonLights

02-08-2012, 03:43 PM

CaptKirk

02-08-2012, 03:47 PM

Did your fluid generator come out of a retro encabulator? Gotta watchout for those marsal vanes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtuqjFf7-N4

dirknerkle

02-08-2012, 04:09 PM

Dirk, I have an array of linear transducers that serve as a feedback loop for my blinker fluid generator. This thing pumps out some serious fluid! I'm glad to have gotten a unit with an exentiamator port, so I'd like to interface to your equipment. However, it has a three and a half prong plug. How many prongs does your integrated exentiamator ship with? Do I need an adapterilizer for the exentiamator?

Well, I am shocked.... SHOCKED I SAY! There is a mole in our organization... nobody could possibly know about the 3-1/2 prong plug... and the adaperilizer, too! ARGHHH... CAN THERE BE NO SECRETS ANYMORE? One of my shipping staffers told me yesterday that a guy came by our office the other day wearing a black suit, shades, hat, black shoes... and said, "I'm here to review your manufacturing operation. I'm from the government -- you can trust me."

I've made some headway and tested my unit's signal and see it has a steady non-zero crossing square wave zero signal. Oddly enough, it's symmetrical when viewed with the Dirknerkle Mirror Method®. Does that mean my teeth will continue to fall out?

Probably (and sadly), yes, unless you drink massive quantities of hydroquinone to flush the krelnitz from your system. In the mean time, start liking jello and mashed potatoes, and remember to hold the mirror right-side up.

dirknerkle

02-08-2012, 04:33 PM

Did your fluid generator come out of a retro encabulator? Gotta watchout for those marsal vanes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtuqjFf7-N4

We had that fellow on staff for a couple weeks, but he was always walking around the office talking about all the benefits of the encabulator and talking down our product line. We considered terminating him but one day he went out for a walk during lunch and never came back. We still have his car in the parking lot...

jklingert

02-08-2012, 04:46 PM

I'm waiting for you to start stocking the E-Cat. Then we can have all the electricity we need for free.

tweist

02-08-2012, 06:58 PM

Well, I am shocked.... SHOCKED I SAY! There is a mole in our organization... nobody could possibly know about the 3-1/2 prong plug... and the adaperilizer, too! ARGHHH... CAN THERE BE NO SECRETS ANYMORE? One of my shipping staffers told me yesterday that a guy came by our office the other day wearing a black suit, shades, hat, black shoes... and said, "I'm here to review your manufacturing operation. I'm from the government -- you can trust me."

Was he wearing rubber gloves and had a tube of something strapped on his hip? If so, the same guy visited here.

FIRECOP252

02-08-2012, 08:54 PM

I know of that guy...not sure about the rubber gloves but I heard the tube was maple syrup...not sure just saying. I have seen him around though. Watch out Dirk he is sneaky sneaky!!! :ninja:

dirknerkle

02-12-2012, 06:23 PM

Some more DIGWDF prototypes have been added to the store... stuff that doesn't exist anywhere else on the planet... You'll be amazed, you'll be frazzled, you'll wonder, "Geez, what was he thinkin' when he made that stuff????" But now, YOU don't have to wonder, you can own them for your very own -- and then your friends can come over and wonder, "Geez, what was he thinkin' when we bought that stuff???"

dirknerkle

02-13-2012, 06:49 PM

A couple more prototypes went out the door today... so we added a few more things... the store keeps growing...

THurrle

02-14-2012, 07:05 AM

Lance, since you are left handed does that mean your show runs in reverse?

dirknerkle

02-15-2012, 12:24 AM

Added 3 Velleman K8055 boards to the store, already assembled... seems to be a lot of chatter these days about "triggers" and the like... Vixen has a plugin for the K8055... I like having gear like this around but these have just been sitting in a box for 4 years. I'd rather see them get used...

FIRECOP252

02-15-2012, 04:55 AM

IS MY SHIPMENT READY? WHERES MY TRACKING NUMBER? WILL I GET IT BY TOMORROW? DID I GET THE DISCOUNT SINCE I ONLY ORDERED 10? WHERE'S MY ROYALTIES FOR NAMING IT AFTER ME...DONT BE CHEAP DIRK I KNOW YOU MAKING A BOATLOAD ON THIS PRODUCT :wow: :w00t:

dirknerkle

02-15-2012, 11:45 AM

wait wait wait.. you mean they DON'T include an integrated GPS ?? Oh dear.. I'm going to have to rethink my order.

ps. Is it true you had to abandon the "Clapper" enhancement due to random results after too much applause?
(or perhaps you haven't run into this within your display :) )

Our engineers have taken your suggestion to heart and are researching methods to include GPS tracking on all the camoflaged units. They are, however, running into problems fitting the GPS module and antenna inside the prenambulus connector, and it's possible that a new connector may be required. This will unfortunately push any possible release date back by several months at the very least. Our China contact (a Mr. Wu) has not had good success producing the connector as there is no corresponding word for "prenambulus" in the Chinese lexicon. He has suggested that we contact a Mr. Spock, but we have yet to make a connection with him.

And as you stated, we did abandon the Clapper enhancement but not because of raucous applause outside our display as much as the product failed during 4th of July testing: it seems that fireworks would also trigger the device.

Imperialkid

02-15-2012, 12:35 PM

Our engineers have taken your suggestion to heart and are researching methods to include GPS tracking on all the camoflaged units. They are, however, running into problems fitting the GPS module and antenna inside the prenambulus connector, and it's possible that a new connector may be required. This will unfortunately push any possible release date back by several months at the very least. Our China contact (a Mr. Wu) has not had good success producing the connector as there is no corresponding word for "prenambulus" in the Chinese lexicon. He has suggested that we contact a Mr. Spock, but we have yet to make a connection with him.

And as you stated, we did abandon the Clapper enhancement but not because of raucous applause outside our display as much as the product failed during 4th of July testing: it seems that fireworks would also trigger the device.

#6452 and going strong!! I wonder if confetti will spontaneously shower you in your home when you become Mr. Ten Thousand??? Can we make that happen?

dirknerkle

02-20-2012, 12:13 AM

I've had enough interest so that I've ordered some of the Ren-W SMA boards. Not a gazillion of them, but enough to have a decent stock. Ought to be delivered in 2-3 weeks. The SMA board has repeater capability, which the Rev6 board does not. And because it has two RJ45 jacks, the SMA can be used in a quasi-explorer mode connected to the PC in duplex communication to program the XBee radio.

I'm also working on new versions that have jumper settings to allow putting 5vdc power through the cat5 cable directly to the Ren-W instead of having to run a separate cable, and also to disable the LED and save perhaps 20ma of current. After the prototype boards arrive and I've built them up to test them and take photos, I'll do a major update to the Wiki. Of course, you know what that means -- new stuff will likely cost more because costs rarely go down, so the Rev6's we have available now will be a pretty good deal at the price!

Keeping stock levels up... just another service we provide here at Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory. Yessirree, many of you have already visited the store and have seen some of the prototypes -- you have to wonder if you're really worthless devices if you could put it on a desk at work and have somebody come by, pick it up and try to figure out what the heck it is. Instant conversation pieces... but the prototypes really work, too!

dirknerkle

02-22-2012, 05:24 PM

MiniRen8/8XB

It looks like the interest level on the MiniRen8/8XB only warrants having a couple dozen boards in stock. Cost at that quantity is $12 each and includes postage/handling. Sorry, at that level I can't do a quantity price break -- as it is, I'll be out of pocket for quite a while anyway and hope to break even somewhere down the line...

Be watching the store -- when the boards come in the "available" button will light up. First-come, first served.

BTW, you might wonder why I don't order more to get the price down to maybe $5 bucks a board. Money, plain and simple. With all the specialty board designs I have it'd be really easy to tie up a few thousand bucks in board stock and than "hope" that people might buy them to bail me out, and I'd have boards up the ying-yang. And having circuitboards in your ying-yang isn't very comfortable, believe me!

I am willing to front a few hundred bucks, but that's about as far as I can go. When you try to run things at a virtually zero profit, one of the things that suffers is selection. It's a supply-and-demand thing. Besides, if I ran the DIGWDF store at a profit, everybody would complain and all I'd get is criticism for trying not to go broke. :lol:

Be on the lookout for MiniRen8/8XB boards soon...

IdunBenhad

02-22-2012, 05:29 PM

Hi:
Very uncomfortable, especially if your wife puts them there!

Also, I guess you're really saying you don't want to get diahrea of the circuit boards.

On second thought, that might be a good thing. diahrea of the circuit boards, that is. Never let it be said Dirknerkle puts out a s---y product.

rstehle

02-22-2012, 08:12 PM

Could it be that Dirk has all his money invested in Xbee's ............:lol:

all the specialty board designs I have it'd be really easy to tie up a few thousand bucks in board stock and than "hope" that people might buy them to bail me out, and I'd have boards up the ying-yang. And having circuitboards in your ying-yang isn't very comfortable, believe me!

I am willing to front a few hundred bucks, but that's about as far as I can go. When you try to run things at a virtually zero profit, one of the things that suffers is selection. It's a supply-and-demand thing. Besides, if I ran the DIGWDF store at a profit, everybody would complain and all I'd get is criticism for trying not to go broke. :lol:

dirknerkle

02-22-2012, 09:56 PM

Very uncomfortable, especially if your wife puts them there!

And it has been suggested on more than one occasion what I could do with a new stack of boards... you know those sharp-toed shoes that women wear? Well, circuitboards and sharp-toed shoes... you get the idea... :shock:

Could it be that Dirk has all his money invested in Xbee's ............:lol:

Nothing could be further from the truth. I havent' bought ALL of them yet... Mouser still has some... :thup2:

tweist

02-23-2012, 02:54 PM

Nothing could be further from the truth. I havent' bought ALL of them yet... Mouser still has some... :thup2:

Well they will until I get to them again this year. So you better buy now!!!!

dirknerkle

02-24-2012, 11:38 PM

Lots of board stock on order.... it's starting to trickle in now... more XBee Snap-In boards and MiniRen8/8XB boards available... more on order... it's just like Christmas around DIGWDF these days -- no telling what UPS is dropping off...

dirknerkle

03-03-2012, 01:19 AM

CONTROLLER AND BOARD BONANZA GOING ON AT DIGWDF!

Because we're replacing our gear with new wireless designs, we have a lot of controllers and bare boards that we no longer need. They all need good homes!
Ren64, SS24, SS16, SS8, Ren24LV, and more -- controllers and boards! Some controllers never used -- we've got a Ren64 that's in an anti-static bag -- built, tested but never used! A Ren24LV in a CG1000 that's never been used, too. Most of the controllers are in CG1000 or CG2000 cases, ready to plug in.

The doors are open...

kychristmas

03-03-2012, 10:56 AM

dirknerkle

03-04-2012, 05:37 PM

Bonanza Sale Update...
The following items are gone... and will be shipped out Monday...
** Ren64XC5
** All 3 SS24's in CG2000 boxes
** Both SS16's in CG1000 boxes
** Ren24LV
** USB-DMX Dongle

BUT, there are still some great buys -- Some SS8's in CG1000 boxes with all cables, priced at $40 including shipping to USA address, you can't come close to matching that price even if you build it yourself!

Some great deals on Circuit Boards -- some are hard to find!

And of course, the one-of-a-kind prototypes.... which have unestimible value!!!

FIRECOP252

03-04-2012, 05:47 PM

Now is my understanding correct....all equipment comes set up with free wireless??? :lol:

dirknerkle

03-04-2012, 06:28 PM

Now is my understanding correct....all equipment comes set up with free wireless??? :lol:

Well, they originally had Ren-Ws in them, but I've taken those out... I'm thinking of selling the Ren-Ws off separately since
all my replacement gear has XBee mounts built into the boards... more on that later...

dirknerkle

03-04-2012, 07:03 PM

Only one, count em, ONE Renard SS8 left...

dirknerkle

03-04-2012, 08:23 PM

We just made a bunch of assembled Ren-W's available... for less than you can build them unless you etch your own boards....

dirknerkle

03-05-2012, 01:06 PM

Status update: All recently purchased products have been shipped via USPS.

Still plenty of good bargains at DIGWDF... the board bonanza is still going with many bare boards still available...

dirknerkle

03-05-2012, 09:48 PM

Added a couple dozen each of 100-count mini-lights to the store. These are the Lowe's brand, which draw fewer amps/string

Colors: clear white or blue, all with green wire.

dirknerkle

03-06-2012, 10:22 PM

A couple board orders came in recently. I decided not to use budude red -- it's so passe and everybody's using it... So I went with blue... So now, the DIGWDF Store has a good supply of the Ren-W SMA for you folks who want repeater capability. We've also added some MiniRen8/8XB boards, which at 3"x5" is a very compact, completely wireless 8-channel controller for 120vac lights of any kind.

MiniRen controllers -- small enough to put your controllers where your lights are and minimize cabling!

dirknerkle

03-16-2012, 01:32 PM

Got a few other boards in recently... the MiniRen8XBLSD board.... We'll be building one of these just to double-check the circuitry, but we're pretty confident about it. Where else can you get a wireless, 8-channel LSD controller board but from DIGWDF???

...remember, at DIGWDF we don't follow the rules, we MAKE 'em as we go along! (See if you can find the typo error on the board...)

angus40

03-16-2012, 02:09 PM

I would like to Thank you for send me the dmx controller purchased from you store.

Packed perfectly and documents included ,just excellent . will do buisness with this vendor again +2 :)

Cheers Dave

Greatly appreciated

Btw I just recieved this so had to post .

budude

03-16-2012, 02:15 PM

(See if you can find the typo error on the board...)

That's an easy one - you have the jumper label as "DOH" - any good Simpsons fan knows it's "D'OH" (have to get that extra "D" sound). What do I win?

haha - ok - I didn't want to be a real ZERO and CROSS the line there... hint hint

dirknerkle

03-16-2012, 11:24 PM

That's an easy one - you have the jumper label as "DOH" - any good Simpsons fan knows it's "D'OH" (have to get that extra "D" sound). What do I win?

haha - ok - I didn't want to be a real ZERO and CROSS the line there... hint hint

Not a bad guess... but no, that's not it. BTW, here's a picture of the new, completed Miniren8XBLSD...

............budude, you can put your tongue back in now...

budude

03-16-2012, 11:42 PM

Not a bad guess... but no, that's not it. BTW, here's a picture of the new, completed Miniren8XBLSD...

............budude, you can put your tongue back in now...

uhmmm - - I think you need to look again buddy... I've never heard of an HAA11A zero cross chip............ :yeah:

dirknerkle

03-16-2012, 11:47 PM

uhmmm - - I think you need to look again buddy... I've never heard of an HAA11A zero cross chip............ :yeah:

YOU WIN!!!

It's a brand new device. Some of the pins are in the wrong places... got a great buy on them though.... :lol:

RavingLunatic

03-17-2012, 12:02 AM

YOU WIN!!!

It's a brand new device. Some of the pins are in the wrong places... got a great buy on them though.... :lol:

Really????

I thought it was the ICSP Pin info:
VPP=ch3 should be VPP=ZC
PGC=ZC should be PGC=ch3
(at least for the PIC16F688)

dirknerkle

03-17-2012, 12:31 AM

Really????

I thought it was the ICSP Pin info:
VPP=ch3 should be VPP=ZC
PGC=ZC should be PGC=ch3
(at least for the PIC16F688)

Hmmm... then my programmer is mis-labelled...

CaptKirk

03-21-2012, 09:36 PM

I can guarantee the data here for PIC programming pins is correct- I debugged it myself:

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=PIC_Programming_Hints

dirknerkle

04-01-2012, 09:52 PM

The staff at DIGWDF has updated the construction/operation manuals in the FILE LIBRARY for the MiniRen8/4XB, MiniRen8/8XB and added a new manual for the MiniRen8XBLSD board.

As you know, there are home-etchable ExpressPCB files available in the file library for those who want to etch their own boards. For those who would prefer a professional board with silk screen and solder mask, the boards are available for purchase at the DIGWDF store.

A new board that's in the works is the MiniRenServoXB. It's a wireless version of Chris Maloney's (ctmal) excellent Ren Servo, and uses ctmal's firmware, too. Of course, you can also attach a Ren-W onto Chris's board and make it wireless that way if you like, but we'll have more for you to view soon after the boards come back from the board house... Here's a teaser for you...

Greg in Canby

04-01-2012, 10:18 PM

A new board that's in the works is the MiniRenServoXB. It's a wireless version of Chris Maloney's (ctmal) excellent Ren Servo, and uses ctmal's firmware, too.

You da man! Thanks for the R & D.

Greg

dirknerkle

04-07-2012, 12:59 PM

Just to whet your whistle, we've put some of our items on-sale for a few days and added some quantity pricing...

A new RenServoXB board is on its way, and we're excited about that. In the meantime however, because EACH of our MiniRen boards has header pins for all 8 of the PIC16F688's channels as well as pins for +5v, GND, CLK (and others :spox:) you can plug a servo into ANY of the MiniRen boards and flash the chip with the new RenServo start_address firmware... and dream of the possibilities of having a wireless servo at your fingertips any time you want!

Have you ever put up your display and said, "Gee, I wish I had just a few more channels right here..."? Well, now you can, because another new product here at DIGWDF is our MiniRen PIC Adapter board. Here's a little picture of the board layout... but it's about 1.75" square and by simply plugging it into the respective headers on any MiniRen, you've added 8 more channels that you can plug directly into any DIYC SSR... But it's not limited to our MiniRens -- it could also be easily added to most any Renard controller! We're waiting for stock now, but just imagine adding an 8-channel controller for only $10!

We'll try to keep you posted on some more new things that our team of idiots... er... craftsmen are dreaming up... But in the mean time, here's a good chance to take advantage of some new pricing!

DIGWDF - We make the rules as we go along... :lol:

Greg in Canby

04-07-2012, 01:10 PM

Love ya man.

Mactayl

04-07-2012, 01:18 PM

You're always thinking of a better Mouse Trap,, very good idea..:thup:

dirknerkle

04-20-2012, 11:47 PM

So tonite we built-up another prototype -- the MiniRenServoXB prototype, in fact... and it works just right (we knew it would).

Servo motors can eat up a lot of current though and the on-board, 300ma transformer that MiniRen boards use seems okay to power a single servo but if you need a bank of several (up to 8) the extra header pins are for injecting more juice to the board or, leave the transformer off and power it straight-away with some serious DC.

The final design has more and better options for injecting power separately for the servos than these protos... And while the final boards are currently in production, we thought you Halloween enthusiasts might like to see one of the protos anyway....

EDIT 4/22: BTW, we have about ten prototype boards for sale at the DIGWDF Store... pretty cheap, too. So it's a great opportunity to pick up a working prototype at dirt-cheap prices. The final boards will be a little higher...

Greg in Canby

04-21-2012, 12:29 AM

Please put me down for one (1). Or I suppose I can keeps tabs on the store.

Thanks
Greg

dirknerkle

04-22-2012, 01:13 AM

Here's something else that the DIGWDF engineering staff has cooked up: the 485plugin.

This will make it possible to plug an RS232/RS485 cat5 cable into the XBee header... turning a wireless controller into a wired controller.

It's a tiny board, about 1" x 1-3/4"

Go ahead.... drool.... (our engineers do all the time...)

EDIT 4/22: The drooling engineering staff made a non-functional prototype for fit and we discovered that the XBee female headers aren't tight enough to hold the board solid with a cat5 cable connected. It's too easy to wiggle loose. So they changed the concept slightly, and insofar as the MiniRen boards have plenty of header pins to tap into the various circuits, designed a "dongle" sort of board instead. Actually TWO dongles: one makes a MiniRen a wired controller, and another is to daisy-chain the overflow data from the MiniRen to another Renard controller via cat5, thus using the convenience of wireless to receive the first 8 channels and transfer the rest on down the line. Both boards are in production now...

tweist

04-24-2012, 06:25 PM

CaptKirk

04-24-2012, 08:02 PM

The Xbee has a small nuclear reactor on it that powers the wireless.... DUH!

:omg:

:lol:

dirknerkle

04-24-2012, 09:26 PM

Correct, Ted. The serial adapter replaces the XBee radio, and it uses 5v from the main board pins, leaving the 3.3v regulator with nothing to power and our engineers say that there's no need to put it or the 47uf cap on the board if you aren't going to use the Xbee.

Because the MiniRen controllers were designed specifically for wireless use, our engineering group had a slight change of heart and decided to provide a way to keep the MiniRen controllers as-is but provide the capability for wired input via an inexpensive serial-in "dongle." This extends the usefulness of the controller to situations where you might have more than one MiniRen inside the same CG1000 case to use additional channels and having two Xbees that close together may interference with one another. Or, with the serial out dongle, use the MiniRen to receive data and be able to export a wired signal to the next Renard controller, which might be an SS24 or Simple 32 and thus provide for a more affordable wireless solution for multiple controllers.

dirknerkle

04-27-2012, 12:33 AM

Well, here you go. DIGWDF's MiniRen Pic Adapter. An 8 channel add-on Renard controller for external SSRs on a 1.75" square board.

Total build time: 5 minutes, including flashing the PIC.

Parts: one 6-pin header, one .1uf cap, one 14-pin DIP socket, one PIC16F688 chip and two RJ45 jacks. total cost: about $5.

Maybe we should call it the Renard 855: 8 channels, 5 minutes, 5 bucks.

The header pins, from left-to-right are NC CK RX ZC G +5

NC is no connect. The other pins you connect to your existing Renard controller (that uses PIC16F688 chips) as follows:
CK connects to the CLOCK (crystal) signal, or pin 2 on any PIC on your controller
RX connects to pin 6 of the LAST PIC on your controller
ZC connects to the ZC or pin 4 of any PIC on your controller
G connects to any ground on your controller
+5v connects to pin 1 of any PIC or any other place where +5v is available on your controller

MiniRen boards already have header pins for all these connections, making it simple to add 8 channels to any MiniRen. On your own Renard controller, you may have to solder a few wires, but now you know how to add 8 channels to your Renard. EDIT: Oh, and dare I say... a small supply of these is already available in the store in full kit form -- all parts included, $5 + $2 S/H. Individual boards are on order and should be available only in a couple weeks... :wink:

Mactayl

04-27-2012, 03:53 AM

Very nice and compact, you sure must be keeping those engineers busy at DIGWDF.. Do they have time for lunch or are they so dedicated that they work straight through their breaks.:biggrin2:

dirknerkle

04-27-2012, 09:02 AM

Very nice and compact, you sure must be keeping those engineers busy at DIGWDF.. Do they have time for lunch or are they so dedicated that they work straight through their breaks.:biggrin2:

Breaks? What's that?

I did hear one of them complaining the other day that his car didn't have any of them anymore, but he didn't seem to care.
He said he had developed a workaround.

:shock:

ErnieHorning

04-27-2012, 01:31 PM

You’ll probably end up putting sheets under the windows like Apple did, so the Engineers don’t start jumping.

Greg in Canby

04-27-2012, 02:44 PM

Maybe we should get a "work party" together and paint shut all the upper windows . . .

To much awesome stuff coming out of DIGWDF.

ErnieHorning

04-27-2012, 10:17 PM

To much awesome stuff coming out of DIGWDF.What's weird is that it all seems really usefull.

Greg in Canby

04-27-2012, 11:08 PM

What's weird is that it all seems really usefull.
I would like to nominate dirknerkle to the DIYC Hall of Fame.

tstraub

04-28-2012, 07:49 AM

I would like to nominate dirknerkle to the DIYC Hall of Fame.

I'll 2nd that.

dirknerkle

04-28-2012, 10:52 AM

Now boys, let's not give the dirk a big head... it'd match his stomach and then he wouldn't be be able to get into his car! Besides, a more appropriate suggestion might be the hall of flame, as in flame-out... which is where most of the experiments wind up....:blush:

However, here's a photo of the PIC adapter plugged into a MiniRenServoXB to make it a 16-channel controller. Plug-n-play adaptability is what the MiniRen controllers are all about because we know you're a do-it-yourselfer! We know you want and need options!

gdyrdave

04-28-2012, 02:45 PM

My friend... You never cease to amaze me! Stop teasing me...LOL
Thanks for the boards too my friend. Need my help? I am here.

The other Dave

ErnieHorning

04-30-2012, 01:40 PM

Now if you could just add a red board, I think you'd really have something.

dirknerkle

04-30-2012, 03:17 PM

Now if you could just add a red board, I think you'd really have something.

We're working with a board house now on doing some in a tartan plaid...

LabRat

04-30-2012, 03:25 PM

What?? I thought paisley was next...

dirknerkle

05-11-2012, 10:50 AM

DIGWDF is pleased to announce the addition of a new engineer to our staff, Mike Mooble. Mike comes to us after a stellar career at Doowit, Zumtime & Klommit where he was instrumental in uncovering dubious accounting anomalies... which later caused the total collapse of the company itself, leaving him the target of many unhappy former DZK employees. Prior to that, he served as a forward lookout in various armed forces for multiple nations.

Mike's been on the job now for about 4 days and so far, seems to be adjusting fairly well to the hectic pace here at DIGWDF labs. We occasionally see him poking his eyes up over the edge of his office cube, which is covered with camoflage and netting to better simulate his preferred working conditions. We took the live ammunition away from him only yesterday in the hope that we'll have fewer holes to repair in the walls.

Mike's forte is stealth field testing, and he's already been examining many of the DIGWDF products for what he calls, "ancillary utilization capability." Mike speaks a different language than our other engineers, but seems to be integrating better now that we've taken the live ammo away. It's also a lot quieter in the lab. His next official project will be to evaluate the Roving Networks wireless modules in a real-world setting. We're actually a bit concerned about that insofar as Mike's concept of "real world" seems a bit skewed, but nevertheless, you should be hearing from Mike sometime in the future. Either here or on the 10 o'clock news...

gdyrdave

05-11-2012, 11:17 AM

Aurbo99

05-11-2012, 12:11 PM

So Mike is your new tester for proper weight control with snubber functionality as well as stress testing of the aerodynamic properties of your new control boards?

I can't wait to see his results!

LabRat

05-11-2012, 12:28 PM

was that "snub nosed" testing?

budude

05-11-2012, 02:41 PM

DIGWDF is pleased to announce the addition of a new engineer to our staff, Mike Mooble. Mike comes to us after a stellar career at Doowit, Zumtime & Klommit where he was instrumental in uncovering dubious accounting anomalies...

Hmm - did he ever work at Dewey, Cheatem and Howe - just wondering since those guys are just a bunch of stooges...

dirknerkle

05-16-2012, 11:07 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle, DIGWDF's public relations agency, is proud to announce that DIGWDF has finished testing and is ready to release the long-awaited MiniRenSO adapter. Compact and extremely easy and inexpensive to build, the SO adapter provides RS485 serial output capability from any wireless MiniRen controller so that users can now daisy-chain a MiniRen into any normal, wired Renard controller. Only 5 parts make up the MiniRenSO adapter: a 6-pin header, a 47uf 10v electrolytic capacitor, an 8-pin DIP socket, an ST485BN chip and a common RJ45 jack. Connection to the MiniRen is made by simply plugging it into the MiniRen's header.

Pricing has not yet been determined since the engineers won't let the marketing department have a copy to examine, but FK&W managed to sneak this photo during a recent tour of the DIGWDF Lab...

EDIT: The engineers were lured out onto the patio for their weekly, ten-minute outdoor recreation time giving the marketing department just enough time to steal one of the bare boards. Pricing has been set at $2.50 for the board only; $7.00 for a complete, ready-to-build kit. Prices include shipping, of course...

dirknerkle

05-21-2012, 10:03 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle, DIGWDF's PR firm, announces that successful testing of the ultra-cool MiniRenSI adapter has completed and the board has been sent to production. The SI Adapter is a plug-in RS232/RS485 interface adapter to DIGWDF's MiniRen line of controllers, providing the option of using MiniRens in a wired setting as well as wireless. With only 16 commonly available parts assembled on a 1" x 1.85" circuitboard, the SI adapter is both easy to build and very compact. Connection to the MiniRen is made by simply plugging it into the MiniRen's headers.

In a rare show of cooperation, the engineers allowed the marketing department to take this photo, although when asked for a listing of parts, two of the engineers sneered and another started to growl. Fearing for their lives, the marketing staff rushed out of the lab and pricing information will have to wait. On the positive side, all the engineers have now been innoculated for rabies...

dirknerkle

05-21-2012, 12:39 PM

Next up.... with a serial IN (MiniRenSI) and a serial OUT (MiniRenSO) board for ther MiniRen controllers, can a MiniRenSISO board be far behind? NOOOO!!! Waiting for prototypes now...

AND... what's more, it should also work as a compact (1.65"w x 1.85"h) standalone RS232 -> RS485 converter or RS485 repeater, too!

More eye candy... :cool2:

rstehle

05-21-2012, 01:20 PM

Geez, it's a good thing you work for yourself.......... your boss might get a little cranky about all the time you spend on your hobbies.............:(

Jrd

05-23-2012, 10:06 PM

Awesome work Dave!

chesterspot

05-23-2012, 10:53 PM

Now all DIGWDF needs to release is a Ren-W GECE adapter. I know the staff there has ample time on thirty hands... ;)

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

dirknerkle

05-23-2012, 11:14 PM

Now all DIGWDF needs to release is a Ren-W GECE adapter. I know the staff there has ample time on thirty hands... ;)

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

I had a quick meeting with the engineering staff about the GECE's. One of them thought they tasted pretty good, although they were crunchier than he thought they'd be. It's doubtful the engineers will be working on that one unless it has some sort of fudge coating...

dirknerkle

05-26-2012, 11:09 AM

DIGWDF does it again!

Another incredibly and dubiously useful product that you just KNOW you've got to have!!!

The RJ45 breakout board -- in KIT form! All the parts you need to build a little board that can solve all your experimentation/connection woes with a Cat5 cable.

Of course, the PCB file is in the file library, but because not everybody wants to etch their own boards, this answers those who want AND NEED one!!!

Build it with the headers coming up, or with them going down to fit into any experimenter board... or build it with the female headers and plug wires into it -- all parts are included so you can build it however you want.

Where else can you find crap like this but from DIGWDF?!?!?

Jrd

05-26-2012, 08:42 PM

Can I put the female headers on the bottom? :lol:

dirknerkle

05-26-2012, 09:15 PM

Can I put the female headers on the bottom? :lol:

It's AMERICA! Go for it!!!

dirknerkle

06-08-2012, 11:18 PM

DIGWDF continues its development of the strange and odd by finishing testing of our two newest MiniRen adapters -- the MiniRenSI and MiniRenSISO!

"SI" stands for "serial input" and the MiniRenSI allows a MiniRen controller to be connected in a wired setting instead of using the XBee wireless method. SI adapter includes a jumper for RS232 input as well as a jumper for RS485 termination.

"SISO" stands for "serial-in-serial-out" which means plugging this adapter into a MiniRen gives it full wired serial input and output. But there's more! The SISO includes a jumper which makes it into an RS485 repeater OR, connect the RS232 jumper and the RPTR jumper and use it as an RS232 -> RS485 converter! OH MANNNN!!!!! WE'RE COOKIN' NOW!!!

Previously released was the MiniRenSO adapter, for daisy-chaining a wireless MiniRen to another wired Renard controller: http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13943&d=1337223987

Now you can have your cake and eat it too -- MiniRens can be wireless, wired, or any combination of that and still be 100% compatible with your existing Renard system.

DIGWDF. Strangely useful products to enhance the blinky-flashy experience. You want 'em. You NEED 'em! :wow:

dirknerkle

06-16-2012, 01:38 PM

IT'S ADAPTER CITY AT THE DIGWDF STORE!!

We wanted to keep our engineers busy, so we had them assemble some kits of the MiniRenSO, MiniRenSI, MiniRenSISO and MiniRen PIC adapters to provide you with the convenience of purchasing not only the board, but all the parts and instructions all in one, nifty little zip-lock bag. Now you don't have to go hunt for parts -- just open the bag, dump 'em out and solder 'em up!

MiniRenSO Adapter: Serial OUTPUT, allows daisychaining a wireless MiniRen controller to any other Renard!

MiniRenSI Adapter: Serial INPUT, allows daisychaining TO a MiniRen controller instead of using it wirelessly with the Xbee

MiniRenSISO Adapter: Serial Input/Output, turns a MiniRen into a standard, wired Renard controller. BUT... the SISO adapter can also be used as an RS232 to RS485 converter, or as an RS485 repeater to boost your serial signal. How 'bout them apples?!?!

MiniRen PIC Adapter: add 8 channels to any Renard controller, including the MiniRens.

corytcline

06-16-2012, 06:23 PM

I like the sound of those miniren's when and if I get past the ren w and the rev 7's just might have to check them out!

corytcline

06-17-2012, 09:53 AM

...remember, at DIGWDF we don't follow the rules, we MAKE 'em as we go along! (See if you can find the typo error on the board...)

There's a j1 but no j2 it says j3

dirknerkle

06-18-2012, 12:30 PM

DIGWDF announces its UNIVERSAL BOM!

As a service to our customers, we've created a free download of a universal listing of all parts and Mouser part numbers for all DIGWDF products. The listing is available in either PDF or Excel format and can be found here, or via the BOM/Parts Lists link at the store:

PDF Version: http://www.diychristmas.org/store/download/DIGWDF_Universal_BOM.pdf

Excel Version: http://www.diychristmas.org/store/download/DIGWDF_Universal_BOM.xlsx

Questions/Answers:
"Will you keep the list up to date?" Maybe. Depends on whether we sell anything.

"Will you make it into a unversal BOM for ALL DIYC Products?" Nope. We can't control all the crazy development that's going on. We can hardly keep track of our own engineers.

"What else is free at the DIGWDF store?" Not much, really. But we give you a lot of stuff to look at and dream about how you'd use it in your display, it's all in stock and our delivery is quick. And... while it's not free, we even have a small stock of the Official Dirknerkle T-Shirt and they're priceless!

CaptKirk

06-18-2012, 02:00 PM

Wow, Mr. Nerkel this is all exciting and innovate almost as innovative as the refridgerator of the future where when you close the door, the light stays ON!!

http://firesigntheatre.com

dirknerkle

06-18-2012, 06:11 PM

Wow, Mr. Nerkel this is all exciting and innovate almost as innovative as the refridgerator of the future where when you close the door, the light stays ON!!

http://firesigntheatre.com

Have you infiltrated our engineering lab? :shock:

dirknerkle

06-19-2012, 11:13 AM

The MiniRen8/8VOXB is now available... This is our low-current wireless 8-channel controller, based on the VO2223A chip from the DirkCheapSSR. The board is only 2-3/4 wide x 5" long and can carry 5 amps, with a maximum of 1A per channel, per the VO chip. Of course, all the MiniRen adapters just plug right into the handy 6-pin header built into the board, so if wireless isn't part of your plan today, you can always build the board, plug in the MiniRenSI or MiniRenSISO board and plug it into your wired network...

More eye candy.... :biggrin:

EDIT: Added photo of completed board

Mactayl

06-20-2012, 01:16 AM

You sure are keeping the engineers busy at DIGWDF,,, looks good Dave.

dirknerkle

06-21-2012, 12:52 PM

AND..... we updated our XBee Snap-In Board to accommodate the very cool SimpleRen32 -- adding a row of headers so it's a plug-in deal -- plug it in and your SR32 is instantly wireless!!!

Of course, it's still a plug-in item for the SS24, SS16 and SS8 as well...

Budude will be happy that we made it in his favorite color, too... :lol:

ukewarrior

06-21-2012, 01:05 PM

Hmmmm.....

I think I see a mistake in the silkscreen.

It says that it is "another strange product ...".

Shouldn't it read: "another product produced by strange people" ?:w00t:

AND..... we updated our XBee Snap-In Board to accommodate the very cool SimpleRen32 -- adding a row of headers so it's a plug-in deal -- plug it in and your SR32 is instantly wireless!!!

Of course, it's still a plug-in item for the SS24, SS16 and SS8 as well...

Budude will be happy that we made it in his favorite color, too... :lol:

ErnieHorning

06-21-2012, 02:07 PM

I’ve met Dirk and believe it or not, he’s actually a relatively normal guy. Contrary to what his posts here would lead you to believe.

Did I actually just say that?

N7XG

06-21-2012, 02:09 PM

Dirk is anything but normal :cool2:

ErnieHorning

06-21-2012, 02:10 PM

I think that a prerequisite here.

corytcline

06-21-2012, 05:20 PM

Ive never met him but sure do like him. Good to go in my books!

Mactayl

06-21-2012, 05:43 PM

dirknerkle

06-24-2012, 01:40 PM

ANOTHER DIGWDF INNOVATION: Up-To-Date Documentation!

Well, admittedly, it's a pretty grandiose comment, but we managed to assemble all the DIGWDF engineers in our conference room this past week (well, those who could read, anyway...) and we reviewed and updated our MiniRen documentation. The result? The first edition of the MiniRen Controllers Universal Construction/Operation Manual.

We've decided to release it now before the DIGWDF legal and marketing staffs start haggling over its contents... Be forewarned -- there is no plot, no intrigue, no murder (at least not yet) and no sex, although there are a few graphic photos...

zztopmo

06-25-2012, 12:06 AM

Hahahaha

budude

06-25-2012, 12:11 AM

Somebody went by DIGWDF HQ today and took a spy shot of their "Engineering Lab":

14374

This explains quite a lot...

lightman

06-25-2012, 12:46 AM

Now thats funny right there Budude!

N7XG

06-25-2012, 01:21 PM

Do I see copyright violations here? Looks like Dirk slid something under the door without the proper approval.:razz:

dirknerkle

06-25-2012, 02:25 PM

Well, we've been wondering why we're always out of yellow toner in our copier!!!

LabRat

06-25-2012, 03:36 PM

Might also explain the yellow snow at the base of your mini-trees.

dirknerkle

06-27-2012, 07:36 PM

DIGWDF's Engineers Solve Problem - Waterproofing Cat5 Connectors

Our engineers have come up with a simple and affordable solution -- Balloons.

Yes, that's right, your common, everyday 12" balloon. Simply cut off the bulb part of the balloon, slip the cat5 connector/cable through the end, make your connection, stretch the lip over the connection and secure the top with a zip tie. What's nice is that you can also use colored baloons to match your cable or augment your display.

The DIGWDF marketing departrment has already determined that DIYC members will buy almost anything, and they've already ordered a special supply of special, DIYC waterproofing balloons that have the bulb part already cut off, saving you extra time and hassle. Only $29.95 at the DIGWDF store for 50 balloons.... :lol:

rstehle

06-27-2012, 07:40 PM

You REALLY have too much time on your hands............:w00t:

CaptKirk

06-27-2012, 08:53 PM

What kind of "safe blinky" agenda are you trying to push here, Mr. Nerkel?? We want our lights to multiply!! :devilred:

ErnieHorning

06-27-2012, 09:36 PM

There’s probably a four hour clause forthcoming with a correct use video to follow shortly. :huh:

dirknerkle

07-14-2012, 09:04 AM

One of the DIGWDF engineers thought that if one 4-channel DirkCheapSSR was good, a 24-channel MegaDirkCheapSSR would be even better... and after hours of drilling holes, trimming wire and soldering, he recently emerged from the lab with this gizmo... When questioned about the ease of assembly he replied, "See there? I put a fuse on it. That was the easy part."

The prototype has yet to be tested but a cursory examination of the MegaDirkCheapSSR finds that the solder weighs more than the 3x5 inch board, and the rats nest of wires.... well, what can we say about an engineer who's turned chaos into something of relatively decent order...

Will this become an official DIGWDF product? It's doubtful, but we thought we'd put another prototype on display anyway...

cparsons2391

07-14-2012, 09:34 AM

The DIGWDF engineers amuse me! There is no telling what they will do next! You think it is to crazy and they think it is a challenge! :wacko:

gdyrdave

07-14-2012, 09:56 AM

Dirk,
You amaze me. I had to look twice. Thought you have come up with an electrical to pnuematic device, but looking closer I see it is a clear wire....lol. At my age my eyes deceive me...lol

Keep it up my friend.

The other Dave

ErnieHorning

07-14-2012, 10:28 AM

I had to look twice. Thought you have come up with an electrical to pnuematic device...
I wouldn't write off anything. When Dirk locks up the DIGWDF engineers for a few days, they start to get a bit crazy. Every once in while, they throw something out that actually useful.

Mactayl

07-14-2012, 10:51 AM

Looks like that one is set up for a Simple Renard 24

dirknerkle

07-14-2012, 11:13 AM

Looks like that one is set up for a Simple Renard 24

:biggrin:

tstraub

07-14-2012, 07:27 PM

I wouldn't write off anything. When Dirk locks up the DIGWDF engineers for a few days, they start to get a bit crazy. Every once in while, they throw something out that actually useful.

for some reason when I read this post monkeys and typewriters come to mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcSUWP0QNeY

All kidding aside looks great Dave are you planing to make the etch files available?

dirknerkle

07-14-2012, 08:46 PM

Okay, here's the finished project -- a wireless SimpleRen24 with a MegaDirkCheapSSR in a CG1000 case.... with room to spare. It actually would fit inside a CG500 case except with all the wires, I think you'd have to stand on the cover to get it closed. It's all tested -- works perfectly.

The trouble with publishing the PCB file is that most home-etching is done with 1oz copper board stock, and my concern is that somebody is going to etch it and try to run 24-Amps through the thing and it's going to explode -- after the house catches on fire... I needed this for a tree that has 24 strings of LEDs and as such, the total current on the whole darned thing is going to be only 1.5A. At that low level it's very safe. But who among our lot follows the directions? Twenty-four strings of incans would draw almost 8A and you just know somebody'd try some C-9's and then things get ugly really fast... However, the board is only a 3x5" in size and certainly lends itself to home-etching.

Let me check with the engineer who put this together. He's on break out back getting his weekly hose-down... and we've put an extra scoop of goobik in his food tray as a reward, which he'll be taking down later after he dries off. We have a lot of trouble with this one guy -- last week he got his foot stuck in the spin-dryer after his hose-down and it threw the dryer off balance so much it jumped across the laundry room and knocked out the treadmill, so none of the engineers could get their exercise last week.

mschell

07-16-2012, 12:12 PM

Lol!

gdyrdave

07-16-2012, 05:29 PM

Stay out of the dryer Dirk.........ROFLMAO

dirknerkle

07-20-2012, 11:40 PM

Duwart Farquahar, DIGWDF's lead janitor and part-time engineering consultant was cleaning up the lab last night and found a suspicious piece of prototype junk beneath one of the engineer's soldering stations. Attached to it was this picture along with the title, "The DIGWDF 675". The dutiful employee he is, Duwart immediately brought it to our telephone support desk where Monique Momglobs was working the night shift. (Monique often works the night shift, if you know what I mean...) Anyway, she took the huge wad of bubblegum out of her mouth, stuck it on the side of her monitor and laid one on Duwart.... the story I mean...

She said that apparently, the engineer responsible for this gizmo-in-progress was playing with an old super strip and hit on the idea of a compact, super-cheap controller that would plug into a DirkCheapSSR and run a pre-programmed sequence for 4-channels once it was activated by a common single-channel command. Monique then showed off her fabulous... uhhh...well... then she demonstrated her math ability when she said "Y'know, he said ya only need one channel to make this run, and it controls 4 channels on its own, so a simple 8-channel controller could control 32 channels of lights, isn't that right? I mean, doesn't 8 times 4 equal 32 or something?" Then she retrieved her gum from the side of the monitor and went back to reading her "Motorcycle Hunks" magazine...

We'll know more about this later...

tstraub

07-21-2012, 09:21 AM

Dave, I like the concept of the DIGWDF 675. However I believe that there may be a design flaw. It appears to me that this design will power 4 transistors and 4 VO2223A chips from each output pin of the controller. My math comes out to 9mA x 4 for the transistors plus 5mA x 4 for the VO chips that's already 56mA and we haven"t even considered the power draw of the PIC12F675. The I/O pins on the controller are only rated at 25mA each. I would suggest you power this device from pins 1 and 7 of the Rj45 connector and use pins 2, 4, 6, and 8 as triggers only.

Edit:

It just occurred to me that the intended controller might be a Ren48LSD or Simple Renard RGB+W type controller that has transistor outputs. If this is the case please forgive the error on my part and keep up the great work

Tyler

dirknerkle

07-21-2012, 10:11 AM

The local police released the engineer to us and he's back in the lab again, giving us a chance to find out a little bit more...

He said was using one of the DIGWDF MiniRen8XBLSD boards to drive it after fashioning his own LSD breakout board. He said it is intended to be run from a higher-output controller such as an LSD, Ren24LV, or SimpleRGBW or alternately, even a simple relay board that's controlling 5vdc outputs, which would make the relay contacts work a lot longer than if they ran 120vac. He said his goal was to give a person with a simple 8 channel controller a way to multiply its effects into a 32 channel animated extravaganza and still use common A/C or D/C DIY SSRs, although his experimentation was made with a few DirkCheapSSRs.

He said he tried to get it down to the same size as the DirkCheapSSR but just couldn't do it. The best he could do without going to SMD was 2.65" x .85" and then he broke out in tears and started flopping around on the lab floor. We left him alone for a little while and a bit later he was seen at the coffee maker eating the used coffee grounds... We don't know what that's all about but it could explain some of his odd head movements and the stains on his face...

EDIT...

Here's a short, silent video of the engineer's concept test on one of his breadboards. Each sequence is powered by the input, the orange LEDs on the board indicate the channel outputs from the PIC while the colored LEDs in the lower right indicate the inverted outputs from the 2N2222A outputs, which would be the SSR control signals.

http://www.diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/675_concept_test.wmv

gdyrdave

07-21-2012, 11:28 AM

tstraub

07-21-2012, 11:35 AM

gdyrdave

07-21-2012, 11:38 AM

possibilities are endless. The dirk team is on the ball !!!!!

dirknerkle

07-21-2012, 11:53 AM

Brother Dave,

Can you supply the firmware for this or if its forth coming forgive me. It would be also nice if your engineers would put 2n2222 on the expansion boards. that way we can expand the LSD boards. Also triac outputs ( as well as the Low powered ones) to reduce wiring and interface. You guys are working your butts off, Tell the XYO to lay off the bubble gum and sleep like us normal people. . .LOL. Thanks bubba.

The other Dave

Yes, we plan to make the firmware available as a free download after the prototypes have been tested. The current plan is to just go with the DirkCheapSSRs. The DIGWDF 675 is narrow enough for shrink-tube, just like the DirkCheapSSR and this gizmo is intended to be an add-on kind of channel multiplier. The engineer tells me he used the PIC12F675 because it was small and less than a buck apiece yet could handle four channels, had its own clock and plenty of speed... the guy is currently exploring adding it to a standalone Ren-W... and he's asked for more coffee grounds... so who knows what the heck he's up to...

dirknerkle

07-21-2012, 12:02 PM

Thank you for the clarification. What are your plans for building the sequence programmed onto the 12F675? Any chance for a vixen plugin or will it be done by directly editing the .asm file before building the hex? I can see this as a very easy and cost effective way to bring some wire frames to life. Exploding stars, fireworks, or use it to get the wheel of a train rooling

Tyler

You must have read the police report.... dang.... can't keep anything secret around the lab!!! :lol:

Yep, that was the idea. A simple and inexpensive way to add some motion to an otherwise static display piece. First came the DirkCheapSSR... now this...

Since it's not connected serially to the data stream and merely reacts to the sudden onrush of electrical power, the sequence is built into the ASM file and the pic flashed with it. When power is applied to the PIC it runs the sequence. The sample sequence video used 100ms timing and was designed for a 4-channel mini-firestick.

gdyrdave

07-21-2012, 12:12 PM

Yes, we plan to make the firmware available as a free download after the prototypes have been tested. The current plan is to just go with the DirkCheapSSRs. The DIGWDF 675 is narrow enough for shrink-tube, just like the DirkCheapSSR and this gizmo is intended to be an add-on kind of channel multiplier. The engineer tells me he used the PIC12F675 because it was small and less than a buck apiece yet could handle four channels, had its own clock and plenty of speed... the guy is currently exploring adding it to a standalone Ren-W... and he's asked for more coffee grounds... so who knows what the heck he's up to...

We have plenty of coffee grounds. Want me to send them to you???? LOL

lightman

07-21-2012, 12:48 PM

Make sure they are caffeinated coffee grounds....

Mactayl

07-21-2012, 02:34 PM

I see Duwart Farquahar is up to his old tricks again...:wow:

gdyrdave

07-21-2012, 02:56 PM

I think Duwart dries them up and smokes them.... Arrrgggg! Keep up the good work Duwart. Tell the others not to slack off.
THANKS DAVE.

the other dave

adski

07-21-2012, 10:30 PM

dirknerkle

07-21-2012, 11:56 PM

Hey Dave, I may be going cross-eyed, but is the input connector "cross-wired"?

If your caffeinated engineer wants to save real estate, he may also consider leaving the RJ45 and link block off the board altogether and replacing them with a 2 pin header. Unless he wants to lose the 3 channels he just saved, he's going to need a special cable anyway.

Of course it's possible that I've totally misunderstood the concept - I get that a lot in this thread :hmm:

Think I'm the one that needs caffeine now!
Dave

Not too worried about the space, really, but thanks for the comments. The input RJ45 is just a normal connection, same as if it was an SSR. The dual-row of header pins allow selecting which line of the incoming cat5 to use to trigger the unit, which essentially completes your two-pin header idea. One of the directives the DIGWDF engineers try to follow is to make implementation as easy as possible and while admittedly they're clunky and large, almost everybody understands RJ45 jacks and readymade cables are cheap and easy to find. Using the incoming RJ45 means it's more plug-n-play for the end-user. And what's not to like about a controller that doesn't need a special power source, transformer or voltage regulator? :biggrin:

ErnieHorning

07-22-2012, 01:07 AM

One thing I see… if you rotate the ‘IN’ RJ45 180°, you can use either a top or side entry connector.

adski

07-22-2012, 02:01 AM

Humour me and check the pcb traces to the input RJ45. Looks to me like you've got the signal lines connected to pins 1, 3, 5 & 7 instead of 2, 4, 6 & 8.

The other comment was aimed more at controller channel usage. If, for example, you connect this board to (say) an SR32RGBW or Ren48LSD, using a standard RJ45 cable, then you're using one controller channel but tying up the other 3 which now can't be used unless you break them out somehow (yes I know - you've got those boards too). :hmm:

Don't get me wrong - I love the idea - in fact, I could see an expanded version using a bigger PIC and using all 4 input channels on the connector to select one of several possible pre-programmed sequences, driving a multitude of output channels.
Examples:
an 8 segment RGB arch - 24 channels - up to 15 different sequences
starburst firework on a light pole - only limited by your imagination

Even as they are, I'd buy some of these boards and just custom-wire the inputs.

adski

07-22-2012, 02:23 AM

Assuming I ever get around to learning how to program PICs :sleepy:

dirknerkle

07-22-2012, 12:58 PM

Ahhhh.... you all are very sharp in your review of the board.... I had already made the suggested changes but posted the wrong picture...

Well done, folks!!! I'll post the correct picture of the layout... :biggrin:

dirknerkle

07-26-2012, 01:13 PM

Fresh from the board house... here's a little eye candy on the MegaDirkCheapSSR... :spox:

We decided to go "green" on this one.....

Skunberg

07-26-2012, 02:18 PM

Oh my goodness a neutral bar!

Brian

Mactayl

07-26-2012, 04:13 PM

Fresh from the board house... here's a little eye candy on the MegaDirkCheapSSR... :spox:

We decided to go "green" on this one.....

Looking nice there MR. Dirkadoodle...:biggrin2:

dirknerkle

07-26-2012, 05:50 PM

Oh my goodness a neutral bar!

Brian

Yep. The engineers thought this would be helpful to folks instead of using wire-nuts or splicing a bunch of wires, plus it makes the wiring connections a little more secure. The down-side is that all the extra solder make this baby weigh about 40 pounds when it's done and having all those wires coming out of a such a compact board looks a little silly...

We're still a little on the fence as to whether we'll let this one out though... We can't find many references to anyone who's made a 24-channel SSR before.

Donny M. Carter

07-26-2012, 06:41 PM

We're still a little on the fence as to whether we'll let this one out though... We can't find many references to anyone who's made a 24-channel SSR before.

There's a first time for everything! :razz:

CaptKirk

07-26-2012, 06:43 PM

Tell your engineers to get off that fence- it is unnatural what they are doing up there, and besides you are not allowed to do that in public and frighten the horses!!

dirknerkle

07-26-2012, 11:24 PM

Here you go, sports fans. One MegaDirkCheapSSR ready for implmentation. The engineers told me to put DIP-8 sockets in so that if I can plug in only the number of chips I need for the channels. Then this becomes a sort of universal SSR -- if I need 8, use 8... need 12? Plug in 12. Need 18, plug in 18, etc... It's all the same board...

On a side note, tonite we wandered down to the lab to see if the folks were loafing or working on some new stuff, and 'lo and behold, we found them watching a DVD. The movie was "Wierd Science." Two of the engineers who can speak approached us and said now they wanted to make a movie and they needed a budget. They said they could get by on a couple 12-packs and a bucket of popcorn -- the unpopped kind. One of them said he had a way to pop it on his own.

We have no idea what to think about this, but the budget was approved and not wanting to know any more about it, we headed up the stairs from the lab. As we climbed the stairs, we thought we heard more crude bodily sounds than normal, and they hadn't even picked up the budgeted items yet...

This could be a very bad idea...

imbluenote

07-27-2012, 07:39 AM

I could see using the mega ssr in a couple places...although I might be more interested is what comes out of the "weird science" exeperiment.

CaptKirk

07-27-2012, 01:21 PM

mmmmm.... Kelly LeBrock.....

airsouth

07-27-2012, 01:36 PM

Wait, the popcorn should be a reference from Real Genius, not Weird Science, right?

gdyrdave

07-27-2012, 03:15 PM

Kelly LeBrock is better... LOL

zztopmo

07-28-2012, 12:54 AM

Would this work with a converted Olsen using the Ren-C?

dirknerkle

07-28-2012, 09:48 AM

Would this work with a converted Olsen using the Ren-C?

Short answer is yes,. The longer answer is that the chips are intended for low-current situations, such as strings of LEDs. You could put 24 strings of LEDs on the board but 24 strings of incans would be about 8amps, more than the onboard 5A fuse can handle. 24 strings of LEDs is less than 2 amps.

dirknerkle

07-28-2012, 11:01 PM

Just a reminder to all you new Renard SS buyers out there...

DIGWDF has plenty of ways to make your SS wireless -- the Ren-W Rev7, the Ren-W SMA or the XBee Snap-In board. If you're sitting on the fence about it, remember that going wireless opens the doors to possibilities that are near impossible to do with a wired display, and it gives you the option to think of your show entirely differently, and without the restrictions that all those wires create. Wireless isn't difficult to implement, but don't wait until it's too late to get started!

DIGWDF currently has plenty of stock of all its wireless products for Renard but we do not plan to reorder this year -- when the current stock is gone, it's gone until 2013.

zztopmo

07-30-2012, 05:26 PM

Got my Rev-7 boards, the BOM and 2 Xbees......time to dive in!!!!!!!!!!

dirknerkle

07-31-2012, 04:12 PM

Here you go, sportsfans... the production DIGWDF675 controller bare board...

I'll have a finished model here for you later on.... along with the ASM firmware...

EDIT#1: Here's a completed board next to a DirkCheapSSR for size comparison.

The firmware is also included in this post: 12F675.ASM and an assembled 12F675.HEX

EDIT#2: Also added the construction/operation manual.

Note that at the present time, the firmware does not provide dimming capability, but dimming is part of the future plan for the 675. We wanted to get the basic blinky-flashy done first... We think PWM is a possibility, which might work okay for LEDs but there isn't a way to get a ZC signal to the PIC chip on the board, so if PWM doesn't work... cest la vie!

ErnieHorning

08-01-2012, 01:51 PM

dirknerkle

08-01-2012, 03:20 PM

So the intent of this is a simple 4-channel controller that just runs when powered up? If you want it to do anything besides just turning all of the channels on, you have to modify the assembly code?

I can see this as a simple 4-channel sequencer that manipulates a four function wireframe. It could be powered by a controller output or wall-wart in a standalone application.

That’s a pretty cool idea Dirk!

You nailed it, Ernie! That's all it does -- apply power and it runs the sequence flashed into it, whatever that is. The default I put in the ASM turns on all four channels in sequence and leaves them on until power is disconnected. Obviously, the default code has an endless loop at the end of the program section, but it's simple enough to change and the code is pretty-well documented.

dirknerkle

08-04-2012, 02:05 PM

Here's a set of eight DIGWDF 675's and DirkCheapSSRs, ready for integration into some 3-foot tall, 4-channel firesticks...

BION, we actually use some of the crap our engineeers invent!

dirknerkle

08-04-2012, 05:50 PM

And here's a short 12-second test of the prototype firestick (on the floor, of course)... using a wireless MiniRen8XBLSD to activate the DIGWDF 675, which runs its sequence and fires the DirkCheapSSR which turns on the lights....

These are short firesticks -- only 40" tall with a ball topper... the sequence it's running is the default 675 firmware -- channels 1-2-3-4 and then it holds all four channels on as long as the 675 is powered.

The 675 must be powered at 100% for the 675 to function properly... at less than 100% it won't fire properly since the power it's getting from the LSD controller isn't constant when the LSD is dimmed.

http://www.diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/675_test.wmv

dirknerkle

08-14-2012, 12:03 AM

Before the DIGWDF engineers knew about my new baby granddaughter and were sidetracked with a new project, they were working on a new controller concept for Renard, called the "Renard BUS." They figured, "Hey, the DMX guys have a system whereby each controller is addressable nomatter where it is in the chain, why not have something like that for the Renard folks?" For our engineering staff, it was a pretty lucid comment, since only 3 of them can talk at all. So they made this...

Here are a couple photos of the completed prototypes and a little 10-second video of these prototype DIGWDF 8-channel RenBUS controllers in action, set up for some LEDs as a proof of concept test. They all have the same address and are line-powered so naturally, you'd expect all three of them to behave the same, and they do. Using the internal oscillator, DC build and PWM, a lot of circuitry is bypassed and the bus cable is only 3 wires: +5v, Gnd and Data. The PICs are individually addressable using Phil's excellent start_address firmware. These controller boards are only 1.5" x 1.75" in size -- pretty compact. Cooler yet is that these are being driven directly by RS485 with no serial input section -- just the +v and gnd connection of the RS485 signal while the main power is from a 2A, 5vdc wall wart... The downside (so far) is that it's running at 38400, N, 8, 1 because of that pesky internal oscillator... Parts are simple and cheap: a PIC16F688, a DIP socket for the PIC, a .1uf cap, 3 terminal blocks, eight 330-ohm resistors, a 5.1v zener diode to moderate the data input voltage to the PIC and a double row of header pins (female headers in these prototypes so the LEDs could be plugged-in).

The engineers aren't sure what they'll do with this project just yet, but I'm sure they'll come up with something.

VIDEO: http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/renbus_first_test.wmv

zztopmo

08-14-2012, 12:25 AM

Awesome

ErnieHorning

08-14-2012, 01:16 PM

Dirk, I know new mom isn’t ready to release Granddaughter 1.0 too much just yet, so you still have a bit of free time.

In the mean time, figure out how to encode a low data rate Renard protocol on to your current LED’s throughout your display without visibly affecting the current look. Don’t tell me that it can’t be done; I’ve already done half the work in figuring out what it should do.

This would merge favorably with the new DIGWDF controller.

dirknerkle

08-14-2012, 03:11 PM

In the mean time, figure out how to encode a low data rate Renard protocol on to your current LED’s throughout your display without visibly affecting the current look. Don’t tell me that it can’t be done; I’ve already done half the work in figuring out what it should do.

Ernie, are you Clairvoyant? Do you even know Clair?!?!?

There are three reasons why the DIGWDF engineers are working on this. Well, four... the last is that we give them an extra scoop of food in their trays when they come up with something new.... but the first three are (1) to create a less-expensive wireless solution that can handle higher speeds, (2) infrastructure compatibility with DMX and (3) to be able to remotely change a controller's parameters.

What thoughts did you have in mind?

DennyMo

08-15-2012, 09:15 AM

I’ve already done half the work in figuring out what it should do.
You sound like my boss...

Dirk, do you have video of them operating with different addresses?

dirknerkle

08-15-2012, 09:44 AM

Dirk, do you have video of them operating with different addresses?

I can certainly make one but the real test to make sure they're all reading the same data is simultaneous action which proves the same data is going to each PIC. We already have multiple years of experience with the start_address and know that it works. But I'll cook one up for you tonite... piece of cake...

mschell

08-15-2012, 10:12 AM

Before the DIGWDF engineers knew about my new baby granddaughter and were sidetracked with a new project, they were working on a new controller concept for Renard, called the "Renard BUS." They figured, "Hey, the DMX guys have a system whereby each controller is addressable nomatter where it is in the chain, why not have something like that for the Renard folks?" For our engineering staff, it was a pretty lucid comment, since only 3 of them can talk at all. So they made this...

Here are a couple photos of the completed prototypes and a little 10-second video of these prototype DIGWDF 8-channel RenBUS controllers in action, set up for some LEDs as a proof of concept test. They all have the same address and are line-powered so naturally, you'd expect all three of them to behave the same, and they do. Using the internal oscillator, DC build and PWM, a lot of circuitry is bypassed and the bus cable is only 3 wires: +5v, Gnd and Data.

I think we may have a small issue of data connection. An RS-485 data signal is not referenced to ground, but is a differential signal between the A and B (or D+/D-) connections. D- is NOT the same as ground and shouldn't be connected to such.

Now if you are not intending on using RS-485 as a signalling method, then go forth and do as you will. However, over long distances, voltage drops, different ground reference levels, and higher speeds, signal integrity will suffer and problems will surface.

Just some food for thought...

dirknerkle

08-15-2012, 12:13 PM

I think we may have a small issue of data connection. An RS-485 data signal is not referenced to ground, but is a differential signal between the A and B (or D+/D-) connections. D- is NOT the same as ground and shouldn't be connected to such.

Now if you are not intending on using RS-485 as a signalling method, then go forth and do as you will. However, over long distances, voltage drops, different ground reference levels, and higher speeds, signal integrity will suffer and problems will surface.

Just some food for thought...

Thanks, Mark!

Thanks for the reminder about the RS485 thing, voltage drops and the like... this is all preliminary stuff right now... we thought it was cool that it worked using only the +D signal from RS485 though and for short distance (i.e. "bench") testing, that seems to work okay. A "bus driver" board is more-or-less in the test plan which would include not only the data line driver but the 5vdc power and ground as well for about 25 controllers, figuring that each individual controller might take up to 100ma, and that idea is somewhat like the old Ren-T. Just how far this might work before voltage drops/noise/etc. become an issue will be fun to test and shouldn't be too hard to do using cat5...

But in truth, a hard wired only scenario isn't the ultimate goal. :biggrin:

CaptKirk

08-15-2012, 02:32 PM

Why - er - less , why - er - less!!!!

Mactayl

08-15-2012, 05:05 PM

Those DIGWDF 8-channel RenBUS controllers look pretty neat, how the heck do you ever get those engineers to come up with stuff like that when you don't ever let them see the light of day..:omg:

dirknerkle

08-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Those DIGWDF 8-channel RenBUS controllers look pretty neat, how the heck do you ever get those engineers to come up with stuff like that when you don't ever let them see the light of day..:omg:

Well, we do take them out back and hose them off once a week, and so far they haven't figured out that the wall clock in the lab has a custom resistor pack on the clock motor, which slows it down enough so we get an extra 12-hours of work out of them every 4 days...

dirknerkle

08-15-2012, 10:05 PM

Here's a short video of the RenBus controllers running start addresses -- for DennyMo.... or anyone else who's interested and wants to waste ten seconds of his/her life... :lol:

From left to right, controllers are set to start address 10, 20 and 0, which works out to channels 81-88, 161-168, 1-8. Channels 81-88 were just continuous ramp up/ramp down, channels 161-168 were individual channels followed by ten quick blips and channels 1-8 were steady pulses of about 1/2 second apiece.

http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/81-161-1_test.wmv

(And... someone pointed out to me in a PM that this is my 7000th post here on DIYC... and to think that only 3 of them have had any meaningful content at all makes this dubious achievement even more astounding... not to mention more dubious... but I repeat myself...)

I gotta quit hanging around with the engineers in the DIGWDF lab...

CaptKirk

08-15-2012, 10:07 PM

Well, we do take them out back and hose them off once a week

Like this?

14921

critic2

08-15-2012, 10:10 PM

Just watched it twice.
There go's 20 seconds of my life :wow:

ErnieHorning

08-16-2012, 01:52 PM

Just watched it twice.
There go's 20 seconds of my life :wow:Ya, me too. Well at least it did exactly what Dirk said it would do, both times. :wacko:

DennyMo

08-16-2012, 04:52 PM

Thanks dirk.

dirknerkle

08-18-2012, 05:59 PM

You may recall that about a month ago, the DIGWDF engineers were caught watching a DVD in the lab... and they said they wanted to make a movie of their own...

Well, it's the best they could come up with, but here it is... Remember, their budget was pretty small -- a couple 12 packs and some popcorn...

http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/lutefisk_leadin.wmv

:lol:

By the way, we put another dozen Xbee Snap-In Kits in the store... lots of product for you folks to help you turn those Renard controllers loose!!!

dirknerkle

08-20-2012, 04:16 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle, DIGWDF's PR firm, announces another first for the DIGWDF engineers -- the world's first "Cyber-Rap" fishing lure. Forget the expensive fish finders, forget soaking your Senkos or plastic crawdads in that smelly, oily fish essense, forget using hydrographic maps. With it's cylon eye, this is a lure that finds the fish for you!

Touted as the world's first microprocessor-based, diving fishing device, the Cyber-Rap will enter its final testing phase the first week of September; production is planned to begin soon thereafter to capitalize on the upcoming Holiday sales cycle, when it's a virtual certainty that the product will realize a 100% sell-through. The Cyber-Rap will be available in two versions only: a mid-diving model that dives to approximately 16 feet and a 25' deep diver for those darker waters where the Cyber-Rap's cylon eye can really do its magic.

When asked how he arrived at the idea of adding a microprocessor and LEDs to a fishing lure, DIGWDF engineer G. Lorm smiled broadly, tried to do a backflip (but landed on his... well... you know...) and curled up in a ball in the corner, writhing in pain... The other engineers quickly gathered around and cheered him on...

Here's a brief video that shows the cylon eye in action. The battery lasts about 5 continuous hours and is easy to change.

http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/cyber_rap.wmv

macebobo

08-20-2012, 04:31 PM

I think you posted this in the wrong forum, didn't you mean for this to go here (http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/)? :razz: Bad PR firm, no cookie for you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle, DIGWDF's PR firm, announces another first for the DIGWDF engineers -- the world's first "Cyber-Rap" fishing lure. Forget the expensive fish finders, forget soaking your Senkos or plastic crawdads in that smelly, oily fish essense, forget using hydrographic maps. With it's cylon eye, this is a lure that finds the fish for you!

Touted as the world's first microprocessor-based, diving fishing device, the Cyber-Rap will enter its final testing phase the first week of September; production is planned to begin soon thereafter to capitalize on the upcoming Holiday sales cycle, when it's a virtual certainty that the product will realize a 100% sell-through. The Cyber-Rap will be available in two versions only: a mid-diving model that dives to approximately 16 feet and a 25' deep diver for those darker waters where the Cyber-Rap's cylon eye can really do its magic.

When asked how he arrived at the idea of adding a microprocessor and LEDs to a fishing lure, DIGWDF engineer G. Lorm smiled broadly, tried to do a backflip (but landed on his... well... you know...) and curled up in a ball in the corner, writhing in pain... The other engineers quickly gathered around and cheered him on...

Here's a brief video that shows the cylon eye in action. The battery lasts about 5 continuous hours and is easy to change.

http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/cyber_rap.wmv

dirknerkle

08-20-2012, 10:19 PM

Yah, we're considering replacing Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle with Wieboltz, Smookler and Gorm, another firm with dubious credentials, although they're just as cheap....

BTW, we added some more DIGWDF 675 controller kits and another dozen XBee Snap-In Kits to the store for those of you who are looking for something to add to your blinky-flashy arsenal...

(Looks like I'll have to make my own cookies...)

THurrle

08-21-2012, 05:28 AM

Looks to be wirless

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fleemit, Klommer and Wangdoodle, DIGWDF's PR firm, announces another first for the DIGWDF engineers -- the world's first "Cyber-Rap" fishing lure. Forget the expensive fish finders, forget soaking your Senkos or plastic crawdads in that smelly, oily fish essense, forget using hydrographic maps. With it's cylon eye, this is a lure that finds the fish for you!

Touted as the world's first microprocessor-based, diving fishing device, the Cyber-Rap will enter its final testing phase the first week of September; production is planned to begin soon thereafter to capitalize on the upcoming Holiday sales cycle, when it's a virtual certainty that the product will realize a 100% sell-through. The Cyber-Rap will be available in two versions only: a mid-diving model that dives to approximately 16 feet and a 25' deep diver for those darker waters where the Cyber-Rap's cylon eye can really do its magic.

When asked how he arrived at the idea of adding a microprocessor and LEDs to a fishing lure, DIGWDF engineer G. Lorm smiled broadly, tried to do a backflip (but landed on his... well... you know...) and curled up in a ball in the corner, writhing in pain... The other engineers quickly gathered around and cheered him on...

Here's a brief video that shows the cylon eye in action. The battery lasts about 5 continuous hours and is easy to change.

http://diychristmas.org/dirknerkle/video/cyber_rap.wmv

chesterspot

08-21-2012, 08:21 AM

dirknerkle

09-02-2012, 01:31 PM

"RRG, Morp.... GRMMMDDTTT!!! GGNNNGGNNNNGGNNGNGNGNNN!!!!" says DIGWDF engineer GRELBBBBBB. We call him that because he doesn't speak in normal words, and he seems to shout out "GRELBBBBBB" every now and then. So that's what we call him. But he always says something like this at this time of the year when he looks at the master planning calendar -- and points to the big circle around October 31st -- Halloween.

What Grelbbbbbb means, we think, is that he wants to remind everyone that Halloween is coming soon, and if you need to animate some Halloween props, DIGWDF has a wireless servo controller available called the MiniRenServoXB. It's an awesome little controller that can be used for servo props or, if reflashed with normal Renard firmware, a normal, wireless 8-channel controller for external SSRs for other times of the year.

And DIGWDF will soon have another new announcement soon as we've been working on our RenBuss concept...

scootchu

09-09-2012, 10:11 PM

Do you still sell cans of steam?

dirknerkle

09-09-2012, 10:46 PM

Do you still sell cans of steam?

Sorry, we're out of the cans of steam. But we still have a few cans of leftover hot air.... They're part of a special sale that's going on now through the end of September...

scootchu

09-10-2012, 07:16 PM

Get em while their hot!! Uggggggghhhhh that was bad.
I want to pull the trigger on a t-shirt so badly.

dirknerkle

09-11-2012, 05:30 PM

While our engineers were out back getting hosed down (oh, how they love that!) I sneaked into the lab to see what they were working on. Took this photo...

This constitutes 3/4 of the prototype RenBuss boards. The driver board is the only one missing... I noticed the controller board on Grelbbbbbb's screen while I was there, and I see he's made a couple minor alterations already, but these look good enough to build a complete set and test the concept out.

From left-to-right...

RenBuss controller. Notice the size, and also notice the holes and square boxes on the other two boards? They match up to the controller's size, mounting holes and the connection block at the bottom of the controller board. You plug the controller into the board you want to use -- you can mix and match.

RenBuss RJ45 board. Just has connections for the controller board and a couple RJ45 jacks. This makes it into an 8-channel controller for external SSRs.

RenBuss SSR board. Plug the controller into this and it becomes an 8-channel controller with built-in, 8-channel 120vac SSR. Or, plug the RJ45 board into it instead and make it into an 8-channel SSR for use with a different Renard controller.

Notice on the controller, just below the DATA+ terminal block is a 5-pin header marked XBee Snap-In. Yep, that's where a Snap-In plugs in to make it wireless... And for those who are wondering, yes, you can plug an RJ45 board into the SSR board, then plug the Controller into the RJ45 board, and then plug an XBee Snap-in into the Controller board -- and you have a 4-layer sandwich laden with electronics that will fill almost your every need... Oh, and did I mention that the largest board -- the SSR board -- is only 3-7/16" x 2-9/16" in size? Nice and compact...

Okay.... stop the drooling now... that's what all our engineers do all the time and it makes a complete mess...

macebobo

09-11-2012, 05:47 PM

I like the modular design, but what about some mounting holes?

dirknerkle

09-11-2012, 06:01 PM

I like the modular design, but what about some mounting holes?

Huh? There are 4 mounting holes each board -- they all line up regardless of which board is on top of the other... No, they don't conform to any specific demarcation box -- the engineers didn't want to be tied to a specific box design so they just put the same 4 holes in each board in registration with one another. :biggrin:

macebobo

09-11-2012, 06:05 PM

Huh? There are 4 mounting holes each board -- they all line up regardless of which board is on top of the other... No, they don't conform to any specific demarcation box -- the engineers didn't want to be tied to a specific box design so they just put the same 4 holes in each board in registration with one another. :biggrin:

I see the mounting holes for the daughter board, but mounting holes on the corners of the "mother" boards so they could be attached to plexiglass and then that is mounted in a demarcation box of choice. Or, are you thinking just using the 4 holes for the daughter board to do something similar?

dirknerkle

09-11-2012, 06:16 PM

I see the mounting holes for the daughter board, but mounting holes on the corners of the "mother" boards so they could be attached to plexiglass and then that is mounted in a demarcation box of choice. Or, are you thinking just using the 4 holes for the daughter board to do something similar?

I'm thinking that a person would use the two "lower" mounting holes on whichever board is on the "bottom" and use a zip-tie through the other two holes to hold the top board to the bottom. It actually works pretty well. Using male/female headers, the boards plug into one another pretty snugly as-is. The upper row of headers is just used as a stabilizer to hold the controller board -- it is not connected to anything electrically.

Or, using the two lower holes, a person could run two long screws all the way through from the top and into a mounting substrate beneath it, thus screwing all the boards together and using the female headers for stand-offs. That actually works pretty well too and is rock-solid.

CaptKirk

09-11-2012, 07:22 PM

This looks REALLY nice. One question, Mr. Nerkle, sir: for serial Renard operation, doesn't the PIC need an oscillator??

dirknerkle

09-11-2012, 07:54 PM

This looks REALLY nice. One question, Mr. Nerkle, sir: for serial Renard operation, doesn't the PIC need an oscillator??

Heh...heh...heh.... yep.... it uses the internal oscillator. The "stock" board can run at speeds up to 38400 baud; the next version (these are first prototypes) has a place for the external crystal so you can go faster...

BTW folks, I should relate the intent of the RenBuss idea. It's for newbies, although anyone could use it. It's intended to be very easy to build, inexpensive because there are few parts, and easy to interconnect because it uses terminal blocks and almost any kind of wire -- no need to have an RJ45 crimper an all that stuff... The intent is also that it's not a gazillion channel system. It's heart is in the 16-64 channel range, plenty for a newbie.

Why a newbie? How many times have we seen postings from newbies about whether they should buy a controller with built-in SSRs or one without and go with external SSRs? With RenBus, a person can order out perhaps 2 kits (16 channels) and have it either way. All the RenBuss parts are reusable and if they later decide to go with a bigger design or parts could even be used as-is with the RS485 daisy-chained output from an SS24...

The idea is that RenBuss will give newbies a way to get started without spending a lot of money and hopefully, they'll catch the bug and stick with it. Later they can continue to use it because it's flexible enough to fit into many, many setups. I would venture to say that a newbie looking at these pixel things, and finding out that a megatree costs $1,000+ to build has got to scare them away. That's why I put the DIGWDF engineers into "newbie mode" and asked them to create something that (a) works, (b) is cheap, (c) is easy to build -- a good starter project, (d) flexible to fit lots of situations, (e) expandable to a reasonable number of channels (theoretically 180 -- untested so far...) and (f) something that won't be antiquated if they expand to more channels later on.

I think the engineers hit on all the design goals. :biggrin:

CaptKirk

09-11-2012, 08:00 PM

Genius!!

dirknerkle

09-12-2012, 12:29 AM

Haven't had time to do much more than this tonite, but here's what RenBuss basics look like when they're plugged together... Assembly time was about a half-hour...

:biggrin:

Jrd

09-12-2012, 06:36 PM

Pretty slick!

CaptKirk

09-12-2012, 06:45 PM

Pretty slick!

I think that's just Mr. Nerkle's engineer's drool...

Jrd

09-12-2012, 08:51 PM

I think that's just Mr. Nerkle's engineer's drool...

Oh, woops! Well it was green and had black spots in it... Guess I should look more closely next time.

There's the board! Looks nice!

Mactayl

09-13-2012, 05:49 AM

Nice and compact,,, looks neat..

tweist

09-13-2012, 11:13 AM

Very interesting Sir.
I like the size. Can we see it with all 4 boards mounted together?

dirknerkle

09-17-2012, 12:43 PM

Can we see it with all 4 boards mounted together?

Yes and no... here are two of the prototype configurations, I suppose you could call them the RenBuss "stack." The prototype RJ45 board does not have a third row of holes for the additional row of header pins to mount on the bottom, which then plugs into the SSR. I've also encounted a vertical space problem in that the fuse with cover on the bottom SSR board is taller than I bargained for and it would require relocation to allow all four to stack together.

That said, 3 of the 4 is likely the most common configuration and it's amazingly snug. Including the XBee's whip antenna it stands 2-1/2" tall. Four boards together would add another 1/2" to the height and while it might work, I'm thinking that it might be too tall to be very stable and still maintain solid interconnections through all four boards...

But, that's why we make prototypes! To find out what might work and what might not... Anyway, here's what I have so far. I'm currently working on the driver board, which has been tested to work successfully with up to 150 feet of wire. I'm toying with exactly how I'll provide a ZC signal so that dimming can work acceptably. So instead of providing 5vdc power on the bus, I'm experimenting with providing 5-6 vac on the bus instead. At that low voltage level it doesn't present a shock hazard (personally tested the old fashioned way by touching the wires!) and putting an H11AA1, a small bridge rectifier and capacitor on each controller may be necessary. I could also replace the H11AA1 with a transistor and a couple resistors and the rectifier chip with a row of diodes... so I'm experimenting both ways. Going the chip way would obviously be easier to construct and would only add $1 to the overall cost, so that's probably what I'll do. I think there's enough room on the controller board to fit both in... but the capacitor... hmmmm...

Skunberg

09-18-2012, 11:39 AM

Hi Dirk, is it too early to ask about dimming with the 683 chip?

Brian

dirknerkle

09-18-2012, 11:52 AM

Hi Dirk, is it too early to ask about dimming with the 683 chip?

Brian

Hi, Brian.

I haven't had a lot of time to play with the 675's code to do anything at all with dimming. The 683 has pwm built-in so you can use it if you like, but that's not essential -- it all depends on how the code is written. The 675 can do pwm as well and it would work fine for DC-powered LEDs. To dim A/C powered lights as well, the chip has to be aware of the zero cross timing, and pin 4 is already set up as an input pin in the 675 code (if memory serves me right). So it could be used to read a ZC pulse.

A bigger issue is that there's no circuitry on the 675 controller to generate a ZC since it's line-powered by DC current from an LSD or similar high-output DC power source. In fact, the 675 controller doesn't even touch A/C current at all, so to read it, the controller would require a redesign to do that. It could possibly get it from a custom-designed A/C SSR (that was designed to generate a ZC signal) via a feedback pin as there are 3 unused pins on the 675's output RJ45 jack. But then the 675 controller would no longer be compatible with all SSRs like it is now.

Conundrums....

ErnieHorning

09-18-2012, 01:19 PM

But then the 675 controller would no longer be compatible with all SSRs like it is now.It would be if jumpers were used. You would also have the option to not install the extra parts. The code could also be written with Define statements that could be commented out. It could also be written to use ZC if it’s there or to ignore it if it’s not.

I don’t have a suggestion for the time part though. Unless there is a way to clone you but I don’t think the world is ready for that yet.
It would be if jumpers were used. You would also have the option to not install the extra parts. The code could also be written with Define statements that could be commented out. It could also be written to use ZC if it’s there or to ignore it if it’s not.

I don’t have a suggestion for the time part though. Unless there is a way to clone you but I don’t think the world is ready for that yet. :unsure:

Skunberg

09-18-2012, 01:50 PM

I was thinking it might work for a spider with 100 ct minis for each leg. If a regular a/c ssr is used you could get by with 4 channels (2 legs per channel). I was planning to have the legs at 70 percent on and each going to 100 percent one at a time to give the illusion of walking. And if this could be programmed to be a stand alone item I wouldn't need to have the PC running. Starting to sound like this is too much to ask for without designing something new from the ground up.

Brian

gdyrdave

09-21-2012, 11:31 AM

dirknerkle

09-21-2012, 02:02 PM

Hey Dave,
I have a couple of questions. First, Can I substute 680 ohm resistors for the 780 ohm for the ZC on the 8/8XB boards and also can I power a holloween air cat from one of these. Don't have the current value for the cat. Need some 2200uf caps to complete the board but ordered them. Thanks Bud

The other Dave

Good question. Hmmmm.... you'd probably be better off with something higher (such as an 820) as a substitute but you could certainly try 680's. Worst thing that could happen is that the H11AA1 goes south on you and would require replacement. If the H11AA1 croaks on you, you'll lose the coordination with dimming and the ZC signal... resulting in some choppy dimming...

If the air cat requires more current than the board's traces are designed for (approx 5A total) then either the fuse or a triac is going to go. There are no snubbers on the 8/8XB for motorized contraptions, so I dunno... If you have a Kill-A-Watt, hook the air cat up to it and find out what its current draw is. Or take your DVM and set it at 10A or so and hook that in series with the plug (be careful!).

No magic to the 2200uf electrolytics. A 3300 or 4700 would work fine too if it fits and it rated at 25v or greater.

gdyrdave

09-21-2012, 02:58 PM

Thanks Dave. I don't think the "cat" takes more than 1 amp or less. Its the surge I was worried about. I could make my own snubber out of a resistor and cap. I only have 680,470 ohm resistors. Guess I need to get stocked up from Mouser next month. I have 4 more boards to build plus 3 of your LSD boards too. I have 3 completed for the pumpkin display I plan next month. Just want to get the rest going. Thanks for your help my good man. Also stay away from the lukefish. I think sardines are better...LOL

dirknerkle

09-22-2012, 11:27 AM

HOLY SMOKES!!!!

XBee Snap-In Kits are goin' like hotcakes boiled in cabbage juice!!! The DIGWDF marketing department added another dozen to the store today...

:cool2:

Festus

09-22-2012, 09:47 PM

HOLY SMOKES!!!!

XBee Snap-In Kits are goin' like hotcakes boiled in cabbage juice!!! The DIGWDF marketing department added another dozen to the store today...

:cool2:

HOLY SMOKES?! Will these work with a SS24/SS16/SS8/64XC with DMX firmaware and LOR S3 Advacned software??

dirknerkle

09-22-2012, 10:10 PM

HOLY SMOKES?! Will these work with a SS24/SS16/SS8/64XC with DMX firmaware and LOR S3 Advacned software??

Sadly, no. DMX isn't in the cards for the XBee because DMX needs more speed than the Xbee can muster. However, if you're in the mood for experimentation, the Snap-in board is 100% compatible with the RN-XV module from Roving Networks and you could give that a try. The RN-XV is a plug-in wi-fi replacement for the XBee and made by Roving Networks. Cost is the same and initial testing this past spring indicated that it can easily handle the 250kbps speed that DMX requires...

Festus

09-22-2012, 10:50 PM

Sadly, no. DMX isn't in the cards for the XBee because DMX needs more speed than the Xbee can muster. However, if you're in the mood for experimentation, the Snap-in board is 100% compatible with the RN-XV module from Roving Networks and you could give that a try. The RN-XV is a plug-in wi-fi replacement for the XBee and made by Roving Networks. Cost is the same and initial testing this past spring indicated that it can easily handle the 250kbps speed that DMX requires...

That sounds very very tempting... need to get to the other side of the driveway and the common area across the side walk

dirknerkle

10-10-2012, 12:51 PM

Well, the engineers are still working on the RenBuss system, and they've come up with a new RenBuss controller. This one has the code name "Lutefisk" so it's anybody's guess whether it's a scratch-n-sniff board or not. Anyway, we sneaked into the lab and got this picture... it's a board that's 1.75" square. Pretty small.... more later after one of the engineers actually assembles one...

Mactayl

10-10-2012, 01:06 PM

Looks nice Dave, I see you incorporated the ICSP header for ease of programming..

dirknerkle

10-12-2012, 01:00 AM

Well, we found out that the engineers played a little practical joke on us there in the front office.... turns out they weren't working on RenBuss at all. They built a smoke generator. We heard a lot of laughter and went downstairs to check on them... the smell was horrible, and there was all kinds of smoke. One of 'em said, "Hey, it's the boss -- lemme show him!"

The hooked up one of the boards to a 6.5 volt 4 amp power supply and within five seconds it was smokin' away like crazy. They were all laughing to beat the band. I thought they turned it off so I asked them to turn it on again.

The leader of the group said, "No, it only smokes once. But isn't that coooooool????"

Hmmmmm..... I was not impressed....

jrock64

10-12-2012, 10:38 AM

Just in time for Halloween.

Smoke is so much spookier than fog anyway.

And that one use bit. Pure marketing genius.
Built in obsolescence.

Joel

ErnieHorning

10-12-2012, 01:16 PM

Ah but it did work. Haven’t you noticed there are no longer any mosquitos? :)

CaptKirk

10-12-2012, 01:33 PM

Which is worse, the smell from the engineers, or the smell of the magic smoke? So will you be having an "fire sale" on this new board?? :devilred:

dirknerkle

10-12-2012, 04:34 PM

Well, you all have carefully considered the situation down at DIGWDF labs and come to independent and lucid conclusions, all of which seem to be particularly applicable. At this point I'm not sure whether to reward the engineers with an extra bowl of food after their Friday-night hosedown or to punish them by removing their spools of solder for a few days. Such a quandary...

dirknerkle

10-19-2012, 11:23 AM

The XBee Snap-In board is FLYIN' OUT THE DOOR!!!

We've just added another 118 to the store, so we're ready to fill your orders!

And, as you know, our policy is to ship either same day or next day, depending on whether Cliff Claven is on the job or not. So you know you're going to get your stuff quickly!

Also still plenty of Ren-W boards in stock -- both the SMA and Rev7 -- and the incredible 24-channel MegaDirkCheapSSR... and wireless MiniRen controller boards are sitting there with YOUR NAME on them!

Time is getting short, folks... It'll be set-up time soon, if you're not already doing it...

gdyrdave

10-19-2012, 12:01 PM

dirknerkle

10-23-2012, 10:21 PM

Will wonders never cease? It's another new addition to the DIGWDF store -- connection cables for MiniRen adapters to MiniRen controllers!

8 inches long, 6 wires, female connectors on each end, easily interconnect the adapters to boards... it even works great for the XBee Snap-In if you need to connect it to your controller using header pins. Next to duct tape, this is a solution looking for a problem!

Yessirree, we aim to please here at Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory... where technology or the lack of skill never stop us from pursuing nearly any endeavor. After all, we make the rules as we go along!!!

ukewarrior

10-24-2012, 09:22 AM

This things are great. I bought a big pile of them cheap from an ebay seller.
They allow you to change any header based connection one pin at a time.

Will wonders never cease? It's another new addition to the DIGWDF store -- connection cables for MiniRen adapters to MiniRen controllers!

8 inches long, 6 wires, female connectors on each end, easily interconnect the adapters to boards... it even works great for the XBee Snap-In if you need to connect it to your controller using header pins. Next to duct tape, this is a solution looking for a problem!

Yessirree, we aim to please here at Dirknerkle's Inventorium and Generally Worthless Device Factory... where technology or the lack of skill never stop us from pursuing nearly any endeavor. After all, we make the rules as we go along!!!