2012 Ren48LSD - RGB Breakout Board interest

**mschell** · 01-18-2012, 05:24 PM

Last fall, while planning my display, I decided I would use the Ren48LSD to drive some RGB strip that form vertical columns on my house. While the actual shape/size of the columns isn't as important, I knew I needed a way to take the 4 outputs in each RJ45 on the Ren48LSD and split them into 3 outputs via terminal blocks.

For that purpose, I designed, and with some help from Mactayl here on DIYC, refined the PCB layout. I got a few samples, and used them this year.

Put simply - the board takes in 3 RJ45 connections from the Ren48LSD, and allows those 12 channels to be split out into 4 sets of 3 channels in a terminal block. Per the Ren48LSD specs, you can get 400 mA of current per channel at whatever voltage supplied to the Ren48LSD.

I'm considering making a full run of these boards, but need to gauge the interest from the community.

Since I'm away from home till late Thursday, I can't post any pictures, but will do so once I get back.

These are small PCB's, approximately 2"x3".

The thread in the "Development" section that describes this PCB and it's layout/function is here

**slug** · 01-18-2012, 05:48 PM

Depending on the cost, I might be in for 6 boards.

**kychristmas** · 01-18-2012, 05:50 PM

I would be up for this if it were reasonable enough to do in terms of cost and effort. In the long run, I think a Ren48LSD is cheap enough that just waisting the channels is more economical than building any sort of breakout.

What I did instead was took old Patch Panels that I got from work and did it that way. 6 Ren48 Jacks become 8 3-channel jacks on the patch pannel. I did not use it for a show, but did run some test on it driving RGB modules. From now on, when I build my Ren 48s, I'm not going to put the Rj45s on the board. I will solder wires directly from the board and then punch to the Patch Panel modules.

**budude** · 01-18-2012, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by kychristmas

I would be up for this if it were reasonable enough to do in terms of cost and effort. In the long run, I think a Ren48LSD is cheap enough that just waisting the channels is more economical than building any sort of breakout.

What I did instead was took old Patch Panels that I got from work and did it that way. 6 Ren48 Jacks become 8 3-channel jacks on the patch pannel. I did not use it for a show, but did run some test on it driving RGB modules. From now on, when I build my Ren 48s, I'm not going to put the Rj45s on the board. I will solder wires directly from the board and then punch to the Patch Panel modules.

That's somewhat ironic since I came up with the Ren48LSD to get *away* from doing that!

http://christmasinsj.com/wordpress/w...mpleDC-2-s.jpg
http://christmasinsj.com/wordpress/w...5Panel-1-s.jpg

**bud29** · 01-18-2012, 06:48 PM

I'd be in for at least 6.

Rob

**michaelc** · 01-18-2012, 09:54 PM

I would love if the ren48lsd actually had a punchdown block instead of the rj45's. It would be more flexible (and secure). Does anyone know if there is such a component that would fit in the standard rj45 through hole configuration but be a punchdown block. Not a screw terminal like in those pictures but an actual punch down block. I really don't want to directly solder wires to the board.

**Imperialkid** · 01-18-2012, 11:35 PM

I am interested in 8 ... maybe 16. Any thought to an RJ-45 top-entry/terminal block GB?

J

**mschell** · 01-19-2012, 07:44 AM

If there's enough interest, or if there are some other projects going on that warrant it, I may offer a "kit" with the terminal blocks/RJ45 jacks.

When I built my prototypes, I had some side entry jacks that I thought would work for this. After putting them outside and struggling to connect them, I would definitely suggest the top entry jacks as the default option.

**kychristmas** · 01-19-2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by budude

That's somewhat ironic since I came up with the Ren48LSD to get *away* from doing that!

http://christmasinsj.com/wordpress/w...mpleDC-2-s.jpg
http://christmasinsj.com/wordpress/w...5Panel-1-s.jpg

Not sure what you mean by "that" In the case of using 3-Channel RGB devices, what would get us "AWAY" from eithe wasting the 4th channel from every jack or using a patch panel or breakout board (OP of this thread) in order to deal with it?

My understanding was that it built to drive RGB &W devices. Keep in mind I'm not telling you what your plan was, just how I interpreted it. As such, the 4-Channel jacks were perfect for driving Franks Strip's or Mighty Mini's, but not so great for dumb strips or simple RGB Floods.

Please know that none of my comments are rework is a criticism of your design. I think it's great. There's just no way to build a one size fits all.

**budude** · 01-19-2012, 11:05 AM

My point was that my old setup had a breakout panel to my DCSSRs and I came up with the Ren48LSD to get away from that ("that" being the punch down block) and have the strips plug right into the jack on the board. I was hoping the mess of wiring in the pix would convey that - guess it missed...

There are some economics involved however - skipping a channel or using this as a Ren36 would mean 25% of the board is wasted. This equates to about $10 or so. If the conversion costs more than that you have to take that into account...