Newbie here.

[GodSpeed]

This is all pretty new to me so i have a few questions to ask. This is my first year with light animation. Last year my mom and sister gave me a GE lights and sounds of chrsitmas box so that is what I will be using this season. But I am already in the thinking/planning stage for the 09 season. I have been looking at the Renard64 controller. My questions are:

1. For each serial port how many controllers can you have?(1 or more, say I have 2 ports how many controllers can I have?)

2. For each controller you can have 64 channels but how many lights can you put per channel?(1 string or more?)

3. How many SSR's do you use per channel?

4. What does a PIC Programmer do?(I'm not computer illeterate, I swear. I probably know what it is but not by that name)

5. Where does one get the parts/boards to build the controllers/SSR's.

Sorry if these sound newbish but you gotta start somewhere. Also if I have asked something that has been covered you can point me in the right direction if you dont mind.

[P. Short]

This is all pretty new to me so i have a few questions to ask. This is my first year with light animation. Last year my mom and sister gave me a GE lights and sounds of chrsitmas box so that is what I will be using this season. But I am already in the thinking/planning stage for the 09 season. I have been looking at the Renard64 controller. My questions are:

1. For each serial port how many controllers can you have?(1 or more, say I have 2 ports how many controllers can I have?)

This is covered in the wiki. That said, for the first year of your display the answer should be "one in total". Walk before you run.




2. For each controller you can have 64 channels but how many lights can you put per channel?(1 string or more?)


Most of the SSR designs are good for at least 1A, which would typically be good for three mini-light 100-lamp strings (six of the Target energy-saving strings). I'm not sure what the limit is for LED strings, but quite a bit more than this.


3. How many SSR's do you use per channel?

Most people use just one, and the output connectors on the Renard are set up for this.


4. What does a PIC Programmer do?(I'm not computer illeterate, I swear. I probably know what it is but not by that name)

It is used for programming the PIC micro-controllers on the Renard board. These are little CPUs that have memory for storing a small computer program, and this memory needs to be programmed.


5. Where does one get the parts/boards to build the controllers/SSR's.

The usual source for the boards (without components) is wjohn, one of the members of this forum. The parts you buy from one of the on-line companies. The BOM (bill of materials) in the wiki is for mouser, but people have also used digikey, jameco, allied electronics, futurlec, and possibly others.


Sorry if these sound newbish but you gotta start somewhere. Also if I have asked something that has been covered you can point me in the right direction if you dont mind.

Look in the Christmas Wiki. It is one of the items on the command bar at the top of this page.

[phenagan]

Welcome - we were all newbies once!

First piece of advice - the Wiki is your friend! Most of the answers you seek can either be answered there or by doing a search of the forum. That being said, we're still happy to answer any questions that we can, so...

1. For each serial port how many controllers can you have?(1 or more, say I have 2 ports how many controllers can I have?)

This is dependant on the refresh speed you choose. If you look in the Wiki, you'll find a table that will give you that answer.

2. For each controller you can have 64 channels but how many lights can you put per channel?(1 string or more?)
This is dependant on the total amps the strings pull. It's about 1 amp if you don't use heatsinks and a bit more if you do (Sorry - stupid firewall here at work sees the Wiki as a "social networking site" and blocks it, so I can't give the exact figure).

3. How many SSR's do you use per channel?
One

4. What does a PIC Programmer do?(I'm not computer illeterate, I swear. I probably know what it is but not by that name)
The PIC is the microprocessor that's used in the board to control it. The PIC programmer downloads the program that it runs to do its "magic".


5. Where does one get the parts/boards to build the controllers/SSR's.
The boards are available from several sources at differing times of the year. WJohn usually has the boards in stock, so PM him. The parts are either ordered directly from a parts supplier such as Mouser or via a parts co-op. This time of year, you're not going to find a co-op, but the whole list of parts you need is in the Wiki.

Hope this helps and welcome to the wonderful world of blinky-flashy!

Pat

[GodSpeed]

Thank you for the replies. I am trying to get a grasp on the things I need to start on for next year so I can have everything ready to go when the time comes. I am sure there will be more questions but for now I'm off the the Christmas wiki-:oops:

[g2ktcf]

Welcome to DIYC! You will find lots of help here I can assure you. The Wiki sort of missed me the first time around and others had to point me in the right direction as well. Read...Read....Read...Read...when you get tired of reading....Read some more!

then, you are in the perfect spot to ask really good questions!

Chris

[GodSpeed]

Question:

On a Ren64 board there are 16 Molex Modular Jacks. Does that mean that there are 4 channels per jack? So the cable comming out of that jack you split the wires into 4 groups?

Photo from Kevin C's website(I hope he doesn't mind)
http://www.c3inet.com/REN64/DSCN1116.JPG

[g2ktcf]

you don't need to split the wires. The SSRs used have 4 channels in each on and they are connected with the CAT5 cable and RJ45 Jacks that you see in the picture. There are typically 4 signal wires in each bundle and a common (5 wires total...not 4 pairs)

[Dellboy999]

Have a look at the link in my signature, while I have grinch in the middle it could well be a ren 64 for arguements sake, and you can see standard cat5 cables between the controller and the SSR's.

[GodSpeed]

So for a 64 channel controller I only need 16 SSR's

so from Controller (16 Cat5 cables) to 16 SSR's. Makes a little more sense now.


With this being my first DIY what would people suggest as a first controller that I wont outgrow very fast.

[Ronp]

Thats a tough question the simple controllers 595/grinch were designed to be low cost and easy for the first time builder . With out add ons they dont have dimming.

The next step is the Renard dimmers they cost a little more but have dimming .
also you need a pic programer. These controllers have more parts but are not hard to build programing the pic is easy enough (dont be afraid anyone can do it.)there are how to videos and lots of people here who will walk you threw it (first pic might take up to half hour to learn how then a few seconds after that)
you Just have to decide how tou want to connect the controller to you pc then
decide on a controller

If you out grow a controller you can always sell it to some one here...most start small
to get there soldering exsperiance then move up to biger and better.
I still own my first controller and dont plan on parting with it.I still look at it and say wow i built that and it works lol

[Dellboy999]

With this being my first DIY what would people suggest as a first controller that I wont outgrow very fast.

Its not a matter of "outgrow" I think, its more a mater of being able to "add to".

I am not sure what would make a good base to start with, I went with a grinch and no dimming as it is easy (this is my first year), next year I want to add a ren64 and will also add diming with a ren-c to the grinch. Thats my plan at least. I worked out i need about 43 channels to achieve the layout I want, I will buy more lights and do a whole new layout for next year, once i see my lights in action and assess what could be done better.

[GodSpeed]

Ok my plans for 2009 are as follows

10 Mini Trees(4-6 strands/2 color)[20 channels]
2 Leaping arches(16 strands each arch/2 color)[32 channels]
10 Snowflakes(1 color)[10 channels]
{REN64} 2 leftover channels

possibly 1 12' Mega tree(24 Strands/3 color)[72 channels]
{REN64+REN16} 8 leftover channels

So anywhere from 62-134 channels not including any channels for house. Wound probably do another REN64 if i go through with all those plans. Sounds like too much for a beginner so we'll see how it goes. Any recommendations.

[g2ktcf]

I don't see any bushes or house lights on your list....

My advice is to build one controller, get it work first, then plan the display. Don't forget that you need to check and see how many amps your display will pull and see if you even have enough power to run it all!!!

[GodSpeed]

not including any channels for house.


I don't see any bushes or house lights on your list....
My advice is to build one controller, get it work first, then plan the display. Don't forget that you need to check and see how many amps your display will pull and see if you even have enough power to run it all!!!

They were mentioned.:(

It will probably go
Mini Trees, Candy Canes, House and Bushes. Possibly Snowflakes.


Here is a sample of the house(was done in google sketchup so not to scale/windows are different)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Big_Daddy351/ChristmasHouse.jpg?t=1228159880

Would be:
4 post on front porch(2-3 colors)[8-12 Channels]
5 windows on front of house(2-3 colors)[10-15 channels]
2 doors on front of house(2-3 colors)[4-6 channels]
2 Roof outlines (2-3 colors)[4-6 channels]
2 porch railings (2-3 colors)[4-6 channels]
10-15 Candy canes lining walkway[10-15 channels]
10 Mini Trees(2 colors)[20 channels]

So between 60-80{REN64+REN24}


Add a Mega tree and arches for 2010


I'm starting this year with a lights and sounds of Christmas(twas a gift last year from mom and sister) So anything will be an upgrade from 6 channels.

[g2ktcf]

lol

teaches me to read the whole thread!!! Sorry about that.

Great job on the SketchUp house!!!

[GodSpeed]

lol

teaches me to read the whole thread!!! Sorry about that.

Great job on the SketchUp house!!!

Yeah I have so many things I want to do for next year and I have to make a stopping point someplace, its just finding that place and sticking to it.
:rolleyes:

[GodSpeed]

Short vid of a rental house we are in till next year.
Using Lights and Sounds of Christmas
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=47565269


Taken from a cell phone.

[GodSpeed]

Lil update. Got into the house 12-20-08, no lights on new house:roll:.

I am now part of the group buy for the Ren24SS boards, going to go ahead and start with 2 of the 24SS boards for now. Neew to start getting a plan together for Christmas 09. Songs, sequences, light layout. Need to take some pics of the house and get some ideas from DIYC>:idea: