Updated Ren-C wiki pages

[RavingLunatic]

You know the routine by now.

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

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=REN-C_PCB_ASSEMBLY_INSTRUCTIONS

No pictures on the Ren-T PCB assembly page yet. As soon as I can get some boards from wjohn, then I'll be able to add the pics.

Feedback and edits always appreciated.

[Jeff Millard]

Thank you very much RL! I am right in the middle of trying this out, and this put it all together in easy to understand terms. I spent about four hours today preparing things for when the parts I need come from Mouser early next week. I can't wait to see my lights dim! I really appreciate all your hard work!

Jeff

[jmccoh]

Great job on the Wiki - as always. The one area that I have found difficulty finding anything on (and I really do not even know if it matters or more importantly what it means) is an explanation on "Hold port open during the duration of the sequence execution." Should that be checked?

Thanks,
Jim

[kmc123]

In general - Yes (I have always used it)
It keeps the port open for the entire time, as opposed to opening and closing it over and over.

[RavingLunatic]

The one area that I have found difficulty finding anything on (and I really do not even know if it matters or more importantly what it means) is an explanation on "Hold port open during the duration of the sequence execution." Should that be checked?


That is a subject with different views from many users. Some users have to have it checked and others don't. I just ran a test on a Ren-T/Ren-C/Olsen 595 setup and it worked with it checked and unchecked.

Someone more familiar with how the plug-in works might be able to explain the importance of that option. Since it is a Renard Dimmer (modified) plug-in option, then it probably could be explained on the main Renard page.

[scorpia]

a couple of things to note,

1, The firmware page you pointed to lists the ren-c firmware as not released yet. may want to point it to the forum thread in the renard code forum.

2, The transistor can be replaced with the common BC547 (well common in aust anyway) but the BC547 need to be inseted backwards for the pinout to match ie. with the flat side point toward the outside of the board. might help some aussies who might have issues sourcing the part.

3. The resistor network can be replaced with 5 resistors but simply standing them upright and soldering them in.

4. It should be noted that when doing initial testing that the heartbeat light doesnt flash until after it receives a good ZC signal.

5. The Home etch power supply board by phil in the grinch forums is also a suitable source of power , comms and ZC via the RJ45 (with the jumper mod ) for the ren-c

I have attached a picture of my working board with these mods. if you find a use for these pic's i can organise some better quality ones

[RavingLunatic]

1, The firmware page you pointed to lists the ren-c firmware as not released yet. may want to point it to the forum thread in the renard code forum.



I realize that it is not on that page yet. I'm waiting for word back from Phil on which revision of the firmware he wants to be used.

It would be better for the firmware be on the wiki pages since the forum threads get buried

[P. Short]

That is a subject with different views from many users. Some users have to have it checked and others don't. I just ran a test on a Ren-T/Ren-C/Olsen 595 setup and it worked with it checked and unchecked.

Someone more familiar with how the plug-in works might be able to explain the importance of that option. Since it is a Renard Dimmer (modified) plug-in option, then it probably could be explained on the main Renard page.

You might want to pose the same question over in the Vixen forum, but here is my understanding.

If you are doing cross-fading, you do not want to hold the port open. This allows both of the cross-fading sequences to access the serial port at more or less the same time. From what I've read, you will get an error message in this situation if you are trying to hold the port open.

If you have a slow computer and have a small update interval and are not doing cross-fading (all at the same time), then you do want to keep the port open. This is because continually opening and closing the port slows things down.

It doesn't matter much in other situations.

--

Phil

[jmccoh]

Thanks guys for the insight. I noticed that with the limited testing of my Ren-T/Ren-C/Olsen 595 set up that it worked with the box both checked and unchecked so some insight as to what might work or be required once I start using 200 channels was greatly appreciated.

[jmccoh]

If you are doing cross-fading

I may have read through this too quickly. When you speak of cross-fading Phil what exactly are you referring to? Would this be when there are channels "ramping up" and other channels "ramping down" at the same time or am I way off the mark here?

[P. Short]

Not channels ramping up and down, but one sequence starting up before another one is totally over. I've never tried it, though, this is just my understanding from various posts on the subject.

--

Phil

[jmccoh]

Ahh - as in "seconds of cross-fade between sequences" when creating programs. Thanks for that as is sounded familiar but since I never used it could not figure out where from.

[JEEPGUY]

RL,

I was using the wiki yesterday to build my Ren-C's. I noticed that the resistor network (RL) part# 652-4610x-2lf-470 was missing from the install instructions. It otherwise reads well. Very easy to use.

[RavingLunatic]

:oops:

Ok, got the resistor network added