Which way do I go ?

[disneynut]

I just don't know which way to go ! I really want to build my own controller but I also want not to waste time in building something that cost more than just buying premade. I do have the patience just too many to choose from. If anyone can explain , please do so. I am going crazy

[Macrosill]

Disney,
You asked a great question. There is a cost comparison chart that was made last year, forgive me as I forget who made it. The figures are not exact today as costs and technology change. I would say that the diy cost has dropped with all the coop orders taking place recently. You can purchase a Ren-64 pcb for about 8.00 when only a couple years ago you would have had to etch your own board at home. The equipment alone would have cost more than 8 dollars. Now for the total cost breakdown per channel you would need to look at the chart, as it compares Animated Lighting, Light-O-Rama, D-Light and a couple diy paths.

Here is the cost comparison chart (http://www.vixenlights.com/Comparison.htm)

[deej012160]

Brian--I know this is an older post. Thanks much for posting the comparisons of the different possibilities. It is quite intimidating determining just where to start. I am going to try to get started this spring with my first synch'd display (hopefully) Christmas 2009.

[Macrosill]

Good Luck!

[RJY]

Im like Disney, I wish this all made since to me,and in time it will.
Reading all the posts and info, I am starting to get it alittle.
still dont understand the controller board just yet
595 board
some kinda peg board that you solder to ????
dmx
I thought my christmas lights were prety nice ,and this year I seen some video of Holdman & others and well paaa my not look so good anymore.
So wher should I start?????????/

[bmcgeeny]

I just don't know which way to go ! I really want to build my own controller but I also want not to waste time in building something that cost more than just buying premade. I do have the patience just too many to choose from. If anyone can explain , please do so. I am going crazy

The price breakout Brian links to is pretty good IF you understand what is involved in each type of system. It does get a little confusing if you don't understand what each part of each system does. And most likely if your just getting into your first system, you don't.

Here is my breakdown of the way I build a Renard 24. Without electronics experience all I could do was follow the directions from the guys that know PRECISELY.

The reason I show a Renard 24 is because the Renard 24 is probably the closest to a LOR you will find on a DIY board. I say that is because aside from the input cable from computer to the board, this is a stand alone controler. No transformer, no converter, nothing.

The first one you build you should go very slowly. I did and it worked right on the bench, first time. The second I got cockey and rushed through it. Poof. Smoke. Slowed back down and have not had a problem since. I also only build one at a time as I do not really know what I am doing but the Wiki directions walk you through every step.

Now keep in mind that this is the price breakdown to build 1 Renard 24 at a time. I ran the mouser price and it goes down by $13 just to order for ten. If you get in on some of the group buys you can do even better. But if you want to build 1 controler just to see if you can do it, this is what I calculate today. The only thing that might not be available right now is the 24 board. But someone might have one laying around to sell.

Renard 24

PCB $18
Shipping $1
Mouser Parts $79.40
Shipping $4.99
Enclosure $12.99
Shipping $4.99
24 15' Cords $36
1 20' Cord $4.99
______

Total $162.36

Per Channel $6.76

I did some rough calculations on the Renard 64, the 16 the 595 plus Ren C or the Grinch plus Ren C and it seems that the price per channel only goes down.

But it does change a lot as you change setups. One of this, two of that, some stuff works together, some you only need one of, some you need two parts of this, one of that, 16 of those, etc.

If somebody else has the breakdown on EXACTLY what they used to build a setup of 1 Renard 16, 1 Renard 64, 1 Grinch + 1 Ren C plus Transformer + 16 SSR's or any other similar complete setups, I would like to see it because it's time to decide what to build for next year.

(yes I will be selling a bunch of stuff after Christmas)

[SeaHoCaptain]

I went with the Grinch and 8 SSR's to start. I wanted something easy as I'm NOT an electronical engineer. I'm a software engineer. I haven't really soldered anything in 30 years (high school and I didnt do very well).

But I took on the Grinch as a project for my 2009 display thinking I was too late for this year (order Thanksgiving-ish). I knew if i waited till after the holidays, well lets just say next year will be here and I'd still be at the same point. So this year I jumped in.

Well long story short. Two weeks from my orders and I have the Grinch and 8 SSR's completed and I ordered another 8 SSR's components based on my success. I have Binky Blink FLASH and I'm very happy with the results, the easy of assembly and the help here on the forum. It wont be a huge display this year but I will have 8 minis on 32 channels and probably a few other spuratic channels from the older lights up for Christmas if the other SSR components get here as fast as the first order.

I'll easily have $200 into the boards, components and assembly (grinch + 16 ssrs). Looks like another $150 for the enclosures (extension cords etc). So my real cost for 64 channels will be in the $350 range +-.

Thas not including lights. I got another $75 in the 8 mini trees I built. Got to love Lowes 1/2 sale so early :)

Hope this helps in your decision. I've had a BLAST with it. Of course its consumed my time for the past 2 weeks and I've got very little else done for Christmas. But I'm having fun!

David

[deplanche]

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3818

Try here for a good place to start. There are links to some good information.

[RJY]

This is all new for me, can someone tell me what the 595 come out of ,and
where do you get them?? computer places dont even know what Im asking for??

[RJY]

That would be me right now ,flicking a light switch to the beat
LOL

[Dan Ross]

This is all new for me, can someone tell me what the 595 come out of ,and
where do you get them?? computer places dont even know what Im asking for??

http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Olsen_595

[Ronp]

And they never will....
The olsen 595 is a controller that you have to build...not sold in stores..
The blank pcb can be bought from Macrosill he can also give you the parts list,
The parts most order from mouser electonics (www.mouser.com) the ssrs Wjohn has the pcb and part mouser

The 595 is a on / off controller with externaly conected ssrs, if you want to dim your lights you may want to build somthing else ren 64 ect.

http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Image:Coop595.jpg

[RJY]

Ronp
If I want to switch on/off & dimm , then a 595 controller would not be what Im looking for. Now Im really confussed.??
A ren 64 ??

[Dan Ross]

Ronp
If I want to switch on/off & dimm , then a 595 controller would not be what Im looking for. Now Im really confussed.??
A ren 64 ??

For dimming the most common is the renard there are a few to choose from depending on your wants and needs http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard



Another option is the Lynx you can find info about it at this site http://www.diylightanimation.com/

[TERBObob]

LOL .
Now I;m really gonna confuse you - lol
Yes , you CAN dim a 595 , BUT , you woul need to add a REN C to the input of 595 board first .

[RJY]

OK
Lets see if Im getting close?.
PCB 595 board
REN C = for dimming the 595
64 SSRs ???
The 595 I can get from { Macrosill } ?? and the others from Mouser Elect.
Now would that be all the main parts I would need to BLINK,FLASH & DANCE ?

[Dan Ross]

For the 595 with dimming you would need the PCB board for the 595, the PCB for the REN-C, the PCB for the REN-t, 1 SSR PCB for every 4 channels you want to use (16 total per 595), the parts from mouser, a PIC programmer or someone to program the PIC's on the REN-C's for you, and ofcourse a good soldering iron.

[bmcgeeny]

For the 595 with dimming you would need the PCB board for the 595, the PCB for the REN-C, the PCB for the REN-t, 1 SSR PCB for every 4 channels you want to use (16 total per 595), the parts from mouser, a PIC programmer or someone to program the PIC's on the REN-C's for you, and ofcourse a good soldering iron.

The only problem is the Ren-T PCB is extinct. Wjohn has sold out on the boards. I have a PDF file of waynes version of it and am going to make some for myself. With all the questions about it I may get some extra's.

[RJY]

Wouldnt I just be better off getting a REN 64 and be done with it ?
and they are around $75.00 ,by the time I buy the ren c/and ren t
Im@ the same price or alittle less
Who can help me with the PIC Program for the PIC IC and what are my 3
opptions

[Dan Ross]

If you want dimming then I think you would be better off going with a renard.

AS far as pic programming it's best to get a pic programmer, you never know when you need to program one.