REN-C and Olsen595

[synnie]

Have made up a design combing the REN-C and Olsen 595.Primarily I want to be able to run and dim my LED strings.I used to use a PCI DIO96 running through ULN2803's direct to the strings which worked fine.Dimming the DIO96 isnt an option so therefore next best option was the 595 direct through ULN's.I have removed JP3 and JP6 mainly because with the 3 REN-C's i have i havent needed to use these parts.Same with the test points.Im just a truckie so if it dont work then i look at why even if i wouldnt have a clue what im doing.99.9% of the time its bad joints somewhere... parts used are same as the REN-C firmware also , just combined all the main points and hopefully i havent missed any.

The outputs on the ULN's are for terminal blocks so i can run LED strings or Cat5.
The Indicator LEDs for both the REN-C section and the channels will be mounted on a seperate PCB which can be placed anywhere you require if using an enclosure without a clear lid.Even though im very impressed with Klangers setup.At present i havent added the connectors for the channel indicators, looking at 34 pin IDC with ribbon cable at the moment.

Also on the drawing board when i can find the right cables, is ssr banks with multiple ssrs instead of having 4 channels per board.Using twisted pair cables similar to printer cables or even up to 25 pair twisted. Problem i am having is all the cables running around the yard.I like the Firegod system because the modules can be placed where required and ssr's not to far from it.

And another project (ill throw them all in here at once so i dont bore you in sections) is the Form A SSR, as the most that i use on one channel is 500mA.As i have said before, in this application i feel 6+ amp triacs are a bit over the top.

OK ive had my waffle, any suggestions or things i have missed with the Rolsen please comment

[dirknerkle]

Merging the Ren-C with a 595 board makes a lot of sense. You've worked hard on this project and it'll be cool to see the end result.

Now if Cat5 could only carry the current needed....(dang!)

-dirknerkle

[RichF]

Looking at your drawing I see 9 outputs from your ULN2803's and only 8 inputs what is the 9th output for?

What is your plan for getting the Zero crossing signal to your board?

It also appears pin 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 are all connected on your RJ-45 jacks. This does not follow current Renard style designs.

[synnie]

Thanks dirk and Rich, actually the 9th output is a very technical point in that i stuffed up, as i was doing the traces i got carried away, as you can see that the first ULN doesnt have the 9th trace *slaps wrist* As for Pins 1,2 and 5 on the RJ45 if you look at the Simple REN-T diagram, these 3 pins are connected anyway before the REN-C.As for Pins 7 and 8 i think maybe the green trace between them has you thinking they are part of the traces from pins 1 and 2?
plans for ZC is using the H11AA chip...or haha chip as toodles likes to call it with resistors and whatever and hook it to the circuit somewhere in the vicinity of pins 4 and 5.I am thinking of using a decent amp size transformer possibly 12.6 V same as what i have now and also reducing the voltage to 5V so it can run the Rolsen without having to worry about an outside power source. At the moment that is open till i can work out what is suitable or hopefully someone can say that a lower voltage transformer will do the job for ZC. I can follow instructions no problem...there are some things that are over my head but if i keep reaching ill eventually grab them.
As for the current needed, thats the dilemma atm for finding a suitable cable with multi twisted strands.I use a 4 core alarm cable atm for my lights running out from the SSR's, or to the LED strings.ONLY reason i use it is i bought approx 1000m of it, 700m of 2 core heavy speaker cable and 2 very large rolls of coax of ebay from a seller about an hour away from me.Grand total was $60 plus fuel to get it.I then sold one roll of coax and some of the stuff i didnt need on ebay...but i was prepared to post it...walked away with a few hundred in my pocket for my addiction

Cheers Synnie

[dirknerkle]

I then sold one roll of coax and some of the stuff i didnt need on ebay...but i was prepared to post it...walked away with a few hundred in my pocket for my addiction
Cheers Synnie

You've gotten into a clandestin "wire transfer" business!!! HAH! Creative way to help fund this great hobby!!!

-d

[synnie]

Need to look more for more bargains...HAHAHA

[synnie]

Noone can see any problems with the setup for REN Olsen combo ill take it as it will work...looking to setup sometime this week and hopefully take the plunge etching it next weekend.Long Weekend with a couple of RDO's thrown in for good measyre so hopefully will be able to get stuff required and try and etch it.