REN-C Beta Board COOP [Archive] - Do It Yourself Christmas Forums

wjohn

07-02-2007, 02:22 AM

Hi,

I have been working with Phil on a RENARD to 595 Converter.

http://christmasinshirley.com/wiki/images/c/c7/Board_3D_REN_C_sm.jpg

The PCB is just about finished and we will be ready to have a SMALL batch of PCBs manufactured. Each PCB is 3.2 x 2.0 inches and will be double sided, solder masked, and silkscreened (yellow) and ROHS.

I expect that the order will go in this week, and I need some brave souls to pony up and agree to be Beta Testers.

You will need to agree to a couple of conditions:

1. Be familar with data comms, (know your Rs-232 from your Rs-485)

2. Own either a Olsen 595 or GRINCH controller.

3. Own or have access to a PIC programmer such as the PICKIT 1 or 2.

4. Be prepared to share some of the development costs.

5. Willing to construct the REN-C, and provide user feedback on the board and usage.

6. Acknowledge that this is a BETA, and all you may end up with is a ice scraper for the car.

You can read about the REN-C over on the wiki:

http://christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard-595_Converter

Costs

The cost of developing the board are significant in time, but you only need to share the cost of getting the first batch of boards made (including tooling costs) and shipping to your nominated address.

The cost per board for the Beta will be around 12$, plus 5$ shipping and PAYPAL fees.

At this time, you can PM, Email, or post a response to this message.

lytnin

07-02-2007, 05:54 AM

Hi John,
I have Peter Olsen's original design 595.

I also have an ICICLE which uses the 16F627A, along with a Modified JDM Programmer to suit.

I'll take 1.

Btw, LED's arrived today. :lol:

Cheers

teberle

07-02-2007, 09:15 AM

Hi John,

I would like to be involved in this, but I do not have my 595's built yet. I am waiting on the parts coop and can purchase a pic programmer. I am a C# backend developer and work with many different protocols so this would not be a problem.

Let me know if you want me to participate.

Thanks,

Tony

tconley

07-02-2007, 12:06 PM

what program did you use to create that graphics very cool

Wayne J

07-02-2007, 05:14 PM

what program did you use to create that graphics very cool

That's a 3D render from the pcb program Protel.

LRNeener

07-02-2007, 06:31 PM

I am in for 2 or 3 boards. Just ordered a PIC Programmer so I will be ready.
Camron

jmelvin

07-03-2007, 08:48 AM

I'm in for a board also wjohn.

tconley

07-09-2007, 03:52 PM

put me in for 2 boards

teberle

07-09-2007, 06:18 PM

John,

Is this looking like it will happen?

Tony

wjohn

07-09-2007, 07:35 PM

Here is the update..

PCB design is complete. the PCB files are with the frabricator. I expect to see the first batch of boards next week, a week to two for initial testing by phil and myself, extended testing should start ing August.

teberle

07-09-2007, 11:25 PM

Put me down for a couple then.

wo1vesrx

07-13-2007, 11:17 AM

I was coming here looking for information on building a new, dimmer capable controller. Then I saw this. I already own a working 595 controller, and this could save me a lot of money.

So if it's not too late, you can put me down for one.

Brian

wingrunr

07-15-2007, 11:18 AM

Does this converter dim the 595 or is it a Renard protocol to 595 controller?

P. Short

07-15-2007, 12:20 PM

It is to dim the 595 controller.

--

Phil

wjohn

07-16-2007, 05:12 AM

Here is the first PCB, still missing some components.

Though, i did manage to get the Large eared Kangaroo symbol in the Top Left Corner of the PCB. :D

John

P. Short

07-16-2007, 11:31 AM

It looks nice, kangaroo and all.

--

Phil

wingrunr

07-19-2007, 07:52 AM

I'd volunteer to mess around with one but I'm going off to college soon and won't have lights to mess around with. :(

07-19-2007, 05:37 PM

John I swear I have seen that Kangaroo some where before? Must be old age setting in.

wjohn

07-20-2007, 12:44 AM

We are going to rename the software - Kangaroo !!!

Jeff Millard

07-20-2007, 06:16 AM

We are going to rename the software - Kangaroo !!!

Vigaroo... or Kangarixen...

j

Mudsculpter

07-20-2007, 07:59 AM

We are going to rename the software - Kangaroo !!!

Vigaroo... or Kangarixen...

j

Vigaroo looks too much like a medication that helps your "soldier" stand at attention.

P. Short

07-20-2007, 06:28 PM

The first Ren-C board here seems to be working. I've sent a copy of the latest firmware off to John for him to try out. It needs more testing before I claim success, but it is looking good.

Thanks, John.

--

Phil

DeanCollins

07-22-2007, 02:36 AM

Are there any of these beta boards available? If so I would like to grab two to test, I have 2 fully built 595 boards from seans bulk buy last year.
How much would postage be to postcode 2250 in australia?

Thanks,
-Dean

P. Short

07-22-2007, 02:35 PM

They are not ready yet. Soon, though. The Beta boards are PCB only, you need to get the rest of the parts and deal with programming the PIC.

And John is in Melbourne, so the postage will be whatever it takes to get from there to your postcode.

--

Phil

DeanCollins

07-25-2007, 06:38 AM

no probs, just putting my name down for two. The parts should be freely available here in aus? I am making a large order for 2 sets of FG boards in the near months so I can get anything else from them

Thanks,
-Dea

BuzzKill

07-27-2007, 01:47 AM

I would abso-freakin-lutely love to get one of these. I have 2 595's and some spare time to build. The parts are cheap enough. Are there beta boards available?

wjohn

07-29-2007, 03:18 AM

Buzz,

We should be annoucing the progress with the board this week, I have been off work this week ill, and have not been able to complete my testing.

John.

Macrosill

07-29-2007, 09:08 AM

John,
Feel better bro!

BuzzKill

07-29-2007, 03:29 PM

Sorry to hear that. Now, HEAL! :D

This looks like a truly cool option for the 595'ers. And just in time for halloween! I am starting to build my wall washers for the outside of the house. The dimming would really add to the effect. A nice pulsing red wash up all the walls on the outside of the house to the sound of a thumping hearbeat should make them think twice about coming up the driveway. :twisted:

Warlock

07-29-2007, 07:27 PM

wjohn

08-03-2007, 03:43 AM

ok, quick update for the group.

I ran two versions of code this afternoon. the first version was a special, to confirm the operation of the PIC and the ZC design. The boards pass this test with flying colors. We included a row of LEDs on the board for diagnostics, and they cam in handy to prove that the PIC was operating correctly.

There are five LEDs on the PCB:

Power
Rx
Heatbeat
Framming Error
Overrun Error.

The first LED to light should be the Power LED, power (5VDC is drawn from the 595 board).

Heartbeat is generated by the PIC, and is derived from the ZC signal. if the ZC signal is being generated correctly, the PIC will flash the Heartbeat LED at 100/120 Hz depending on the supply frequency (50/60 Hz). It is nice to see the board sitting there alive, with a heartbeat, awaiting a command.

The next LED is the Rx LED. This will turn on when the RENC is receiving RS-232/485 data from the PC.

The next two LED indicate a fault, with Overrun or Framming issues.

I then loaded the current version of the RENC operational code, and tested the board. The configuration was:

PC
RS232 to RENC (57.6k)
DATA Out to 595 IN
DATA In to 595 OUT.

I ran a test loop routine under Vixen 1.1 with 64 channels with a RAMP to 100% and RAMP to 0% over 2 Seconds, and loop. The test ran well.

The Channel LEDs on the 595 Dim over some of the range (note they were not designed to be dimmable indicators!)

The incandesent load, connected via an SSROZ, Dimmed over the range sent by the Vixen sequence to the RENC/595.

I ran the board for 30min on a test loop without any problems. the Lights go to 100% and dimm down to a low level, but did not go to 0% in my test. Not sure why, will have to wait till I can speak to phil and see what might be causing the lights not to extinguish completely.

Cheers

John.

wjohn

08-03-2007, 03:48 AM

I love this idea as it has absolutly everything I'm looking for and I didn't have to design it...Has anyone begun testing yet and if so what is the lowest current you can operate this with Meaning lowest amperage)??? I have ideas about using low voltage(meaning like only (10) 5 volt bulbs or the same number of leds) for a few effects this halloween and also what would the fastest rate of dimming be and or on off pulse ??
Thanks
Wizard

Wiz, not quiet sure of the question... but, here goes. Testing has started with just Phil and I, the Betas will get access to their PCBs and ASM file next week, I expect.

The voltage of the bulbs that can be dimmed is really a function of the SSR and the supply voltage. If you are using your SSRs connected to 110VAC, then the load will need to be 110VAC. you can modifiy the SSRs to run at 36, 24, or 240VAC. and we are working on a DC SSR, too.

As for switching speed. I ran tests with a slow ramp up to 100% and down, and a number of fast ON/OFF transitions (100mSec) and the RENC/595 had no problems.

Hope that answers the question you posed.

John.

###In the photo below,

The RS-232/485 and ZC power cable on the left hand side of the picture. This cable is yellow.

The two short Blue cables connect the RENC to the 595. Both cables are required and they align to the IN and OUT on each board.

The Grey cable is the 5VDC power cable for the 595. Power for the RENC is drawn from the 595 board across the Blue data interconnects.

The Power and Hearbeat LEDs are on. (ZC was being sensing by the RENC and the PIC will flash the Heatbeat at 2x line frequency.)

wjohn

08-06-2007, 01:31 AM

next update,

Lots of success with the GRINCH board today.

New code loaded into the PIC, and fired up Vixen. After fixing a couple of finger faults, I was away.

I set up a 64 Chn sequence for the GRINCH, 10 Sec RAMP up, followed by a 5 second RAMP down.

The GRINCH dimmed smoothly over the range. I was able to ramp from 0 to 100%, easily.

I went back to the COOP 595 (shown above), and had some troubles. I was able to RAMP, but I was getting an overlay TWINKLES effect to the ramp. Dropping the FEEDBACK cable solved the problem, in this instance, and Phil is investigating this further.

Fo now, it looks like we are 95% there.

BuzzKill

08-06-2007, 04:51 PM

Sounds great. Just remember where the twinkles come from. 'Cause ya know as soon as you get them out of the firmware, that somebody is gonna want to know how they can put them back in! :shock:

jmelvin

08-09-2007, 02:59 PM

Got my board yesterday. Is there a parts list somewhere?
I like the fact the board is the same width as the grinch aslo.

P. Short

08-09-2007, 03:10 PM

See the wiki.

--

Phil

Doug-in-the-woods

08-09-2007, 03:52 PM

connecting to a 595 do you end up with 64 channels of dimming capabilities
Are pic chips (programed) going to be available?
boards - any idea of when and how much?
this Renard C looks like an alternative to a stand alone Renard?

wjohn

08-09-2007, 06:08 PM

Question? Connecting to a 595 do you end up with 64 channels of dimming capabilities

Yes, all 64 Channels are are to be dimmed. there are 192 dim levels per channel.

Question? Are pic chips (programed) going to be available?

You would normally be expected to source you own PIC, there may be an option to purchase the PIC with the PCB, or some Forum members with programmers have offered to program PICs for others

Question? Boards - any idea of when and how much?

The boards are small, 3.2 x 2.0 inches and will be priced accordingly to the size of the board and the number of participant in the COOP. After some final tweaking, and a successful round of Beta tests, I would expect the board to be available by Sept at the latest.

Question? This Renard C looks like an alternative to a stand alone Renard?

I would consider the RENC to be a good transition for those that have already invested in a GRINCH or 595, and want to add dimming to all or part of their display this year, without having to undertake a FORKLIFT upgrade to their controllers

Doug-in-the-woods

08-09-2007, 06:47 PM

Where do I sign up for a coop order for a Renard C?
Put me down for 2 if possiable.
Sounds like a great addition to my expanding display

greenmeanie

08-10-2007, 07:04 PM

I am in for 5.

wjohn

08-10-2007, 07:20 PM

VERY SOON!

I would like to see some of the BETAs report back on on their progress. While I have had a good range of tests with th 595 and GRINCH, BillAd is also progressing some tests with his homebrew 595s, ets get some more results first before we declare victory!

John.

DeanCollins

08-13-2007, 10:00 PM

well all good news from here, I have 2 fully working REN-C boards working with 2 595 co-op boards (early 2006). They are dimming quite well (still the issue of no 0% level).
I will try and post some pictures later on tonight.

Thanks,
-Dean

P. Short

08-13-2007, 11:11 PM

What firmware are you using? And are you in a 50 Hz locale?

--

Phil

DeanCollins

08-14-2007, 12:17 AM

hey phil,
I am using version 20070720 and yes I am located in australia so 50hz. There are a few issues like the dimming appears "stepped" and there isn't the full range of dimming, I will test with a few more sets of lights when I get home, and hopefully with some 24v sets.

-Dean

lytnin

08-14-2007, 03:48 AM

I'll have the rest of my parts tomorrow. So testing will commence in earnest over the weekend.

Two things I can't locate are the 485 Receiver/Transmitter & the SIP. Dean or John, do you know of any Aussie suppliers for these or alternatives.

I'm guessing that if I left the SIP out, the only thing I won't have is the diagnosis LED's on the board. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone. I suppose the alternative is use a heap of individual resistors mounted vertically, and connect the loose end's of each back to pin1.

One other question, can 16F628A be used instead of the 627A?
The only difference I see at a quick glance of a spec (http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/ZZ8520_20PIC16F628.pdf) I found is double the program memory.

Cheers

greenmeanie

08-14-2007, 10:16 AM

Any chance of some video?

scharbon

08-14-2007, 11:44 AM

When the time is right, I would like to buy at least 4 REN-C boards.

Steve

DeanCollins

08-15-2007, 07:00 AM

Hey Guys, I have posted some photos and videos over at putfile, they show the hardware booting up, a dimming sequence and some pictures of the controllers/setup.

http://www.putfile.com/deancollins

Thanks,
-Dean

teberle

08-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Dean,

Nice videos. What is this Zero Cross Generator, will I be needing to build/buy one of these?

Tony

wjohn

08-15-2007, 04:06 PM

Dean,

Nice videos. What is this Zero Cross Generator, will I be needing to build/buy one of these?

Tony

Yes, you will need a source of ZC.

John

stempile

08-15-2007, 05:14 PM

This thread has covered lots of a subjects and there is now lots of information about the RenC that should have been in their own threads, and not in a co-op area.

Being a 5 page thread makes it hard to find the current relevant info about one of the many topics in this thread.

Can we lock this one and make some threads that are specific to RenC topic in the other Renard or 595 areas?

ms

P. Short

08-15-2007, 05:27 PM

Actually, information likely to be useful to other people (now or in the future) should be placed in the wiki.

--

Phil

wjohn

08-15-2007, 10:04 PM

One could argue that the Beta was closed some weeks back, and not a lot of people read the Wiki.

Not sure why they dont, but things like Parts Lists are generally found in the construction notes, but the First question is often asked in the forum. To be fair, many are new to the Forum, and may not be aware of the generous amount of info in the Wiki. We need to keep pointing people back there (with a link) and responding with the answer (to be polite) and then updating the Wiki is the answer is a new factoid.

I just added an additional section on Power and ZC to the RENC wiki.

http://christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard-595_Converter

thats my wish :-)

stempile

08-22-2007, 12:44 PM

Any Updates on the beta testing? Has the issue causing the lights not to full turn off been identified?

ms

random_rodder

09-11-2007, 09:43 AM

Is there any news on theRen-C's progress or have I missed a thread elsewhere? I doubt I'll get to dimming anything this year, but, I'd like to get two boards once the issues with the 595's are ironed out (I havetwo 595's and two Grinch boards). Or was that ironed out with the transformer change?

Brian

teberle

09-13-2007, 09:42 PM

John,

I am finally getting ready to put the Ren-C together and start testing with my coop 595's. Has there been an update to the firmware? If so can you email it to me at eberletj at cox dot net.

thanks.

teberle

09-16-2007, 09:57 PM

I have finished my Ren-C board, I think. I am going to use the Ren-T to provide the ZC, I installed the 10K Resistors in R1 and R8 Should they not be installed there. Should they be installed in R8 and R9?

cruizer

09-20-2007, 10:36 AM

Any new updates?
Will this work, assuming you get it to work, with Brian's 595?

Also, if I understand correctly, it works perfectly (right now anyways) with the grinch, but with the 595 the lights don't completely extinguish?

FireGod

09-28-2007, 12:25 PM

Can I get the gerber file so I can order one for myself?

random_rodder

09-28-2007, 12:33 PM

wjohn has them... I got 2 a week or so ago...

wbuehler

12-13-2007, 08:49 PM

Is the Ren-C available?
I just bought two Grinch boards and would love to be able to dim them

Thanks

Bill

nathank

12-14-2007, 03:30 PM

tfmacz

12-14-2007, 03:54 PM

I think wjohn has some for sale.

Dan Ross

12-14-2007, 06:44 PM

I might be keen for some also, if they are still available?

Two questions:
- How does it dim the channels? I am using the Olsen 595 design and driving transistors which switch DC current - will it work for this design?
- Should I have one of these per 64 channels?

Thanks!

I'm not sure on your first question, but to answer your second question, yes you will need 1 REN-C per 595. You will also need a REN-T for zero crossing. You can run multiple REN-C's off one REN-T