Step 11 : 8 channel Option

You could setup this board for use with anything from 1 to 16 channels. In the case of using only 8 channels, simply do not load: The second pic, the 8 opto-isolators, and 8 traics, and 8 triac resistors, and the SIP resistor for the opto’s. Short pin 5 and 6 where the PIC would go so the RS485 in and out are connected together and now you have a 8 channel Renard with SSRs on board.

Obviously your cost per channel will increase with this option, however, this is a fairly elegant solution, and I will be making 4 of these for myself.

Step 12 : Test Points and Jumpers

This section describes the function and use of test points and jumpers in this design.

3, 6 These are the spare RJ45 wires. These really aren’t true test points. Can be easily soldered to connet to nearby vias to increase the number of wires in the CAT5 cable used for power distribution to the controllers.
J1, J2 You may optionally solder a two pin header here, and install a jumper in order to force pin2 of the opto-isolator to zero, thus turning on the triac for channel 8. This is a good thing to do to prove that 120 volts is active, and that everything downstream of the opto-isolators is working correctly.
J3,J4 You may optionally solder a two pin header here, and install a jumper in order to enable the LED (optional) for use with the PIC diagnostic code. You probably will not want to use your controller continuously with this jumper installed as it will likely draw down the voltage a bit to the opto-triac and may cause channel 2 to turn on/off unpredictably when compared to other channels that do not have the LED. Also, it might cause channel 2 to appear at a different intensity. (Note, it seems to look fine installed for me, but you never know, depending on your load and conditions, it might cause a problem, I personally am running my controllers with this jumper installed)
TP1 Ground - You may optionally solder a two pin header here to attach a ground for a oscilloscope or voltage measurement etc.
TP2 VCC - You may optionally solder a two pin header here to measure the voltage to the controller via the RJ45 lines. Remember that this voltage is between 9 and 12 VCC and is a supply to the 5 volt regulator onboard the controller. You may cut the trace between the two pin header, to directly measure current, but if you do this, you will require a two pin header and jumper in order to “repair” the board when you are finished.
TP3 Zero Cross - You may optionally solder a single pin header to this point in order to look at the ZC signal on an oscilloscope.
TP4 UART. - You may optionally solder a single pin header to this pin in order to examine the internal serial signal between pics with an oscilloscope.
TP5 Oscillator – You may optionally solder a single pin header to this pin in order to examine the output of the oscillator which goes to both PIC’s.
TP6 5V Reg – You may optionally solder a two pin header to this pin in order to measure the voltage out of the 5 volt regulator. You may cut the trace between the two pin header, to directly measure current, but if you do this, you will require a two pin header and jumper in order to “repair” the board when you are finished.
TPA RS485 A – You may optionally solder a single pin header to have a test point to view the RS485A signal with an oscilloscope.
TPB RS485 B You may optionally solder a single pin header to have a test point to view the RS485B signal with an oscilloscope.

You will notice an array of 18 round hole VIA’s near the 5VDC power on indicator LED (Top center of the PCB). 5VDC is connected to the bottom left via, and ground is attached to the bottom right via. You can use these for anything you like.

You will notice a few extra via’s in the oscillator footprint. It is possible that the oscillator my never be implemented. I have added a few more terminals for ground and power so this area could also be used for prototyping. This was done because, if the oscillator is never used, this free’s up pin two on both PIC’s. You could cut the trace between the two VIA’s under the oscillator footprint, and use the two pin 2 connections independently in conjunction with the prototype area.

Reminder, there are also two spare unused wires in the RJ45 cable. Look for the two via’s near each RJ45 connector labeled “3” and “6”. There is additional space and features in this board to allow you to develop and prototype within the PCB.

Step 13 : Coop Purchase Opportunity

DEADLINE IS FEB 28!

Two prototype PCB’s have been built and tested and are working perfectly at 25mS resolution and 38400 baud. (Supports up to 64 channels per serial port) I anticipate placing a order in mid February or early March. If you are interested in participating in a group purchase, drop me an email with your forecast for quantity. jaunemaillot AT gmail d o t com

Here is a link to the Co-op purchase opportunity forum:
http://picdimmer.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=77

Step 14 : Renard Who?

(http://picdimmer.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=3)

Phil Short developed a mini-project involving a PIC-based Computer-Controlled Light Dimmer, mostly for controlling incandescent display lights (such as Christmas displays). This light dimmer is a low cost, low chip-count solution using a commonly available PIC microcontroller to control (on, off, and dimming) up to eight lamps (or light strings) per controller. Phil named the project “Renard”. In his words “Vixen -> fox -> renard”.

The basic idea is that someone can use the serial port on a PC to control and animate a light display, often synchronized to music. For example, a light display using exterior Christmas lights could show Santa and a sleigh with reindeer moving across a lawn or the face of a house in time to 'Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer' or some other relevant Christmas song. There are many other possible uses as well, including other holiday or more permanent displays.

This project involves only one piece of the puzzle - the low-power control electronics that accept commands from a PC and provides on/off/dimming signals. It is a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) solution, since there are not currently any kits or finished products available. More information about this sort of process can be found on the web, including the http://www.computerchristmas.com site. The basic PIC controller can control eight lamps, but multiple PICs can be daisy chained together to control up to 128 or more lamps through a single serial port on a PC.

Some other parts that are needed can also be found of the web, including PC software for choreographing and running the show (http://www.vixenlights.com, and solid-state relays (SSRs) (http://computerchristmas.com) for supplying power to the lights.

Since this is a DIY design, the user can select various communications methods to suit the interface and distance requirements, including RS-232, RS-485 and current loop.

Here is a link to Phil Shorts how-to at computerchristmas.com which describes how to build a 8 channel controller which uses external SSR’s.
http://computerchristmas.com/?link=how_to&HowToId=71

Step 15 : Firmware

One of the things that distinguishes this approach at controlling lights from others, is that this project uses a PIC controller, and therefore requires firmware. The most stable link to the current firmware (and diagnostic firmware) is http://computerchristmas.com/?link=how_to&HowToId=71

I won’t try to reproduce Phil’s how-to here, but I add that the diagnostic code flashes the “heartbeat” LED every second. This is done on channel 1, PIC pin 13.