Renard Main Page

General Information and How-To's

Renard is the name of a computer-controlled, PIC-based dimmer scheme, and also refers to dimming controllers that people have built based on this scheme. The designs all use mid-range PIC micro-controllers, are generally modular in units of eight channels (dimmable circuits), and use medium-speed, daisy-chainable, one-direction serial communications for input. Renard controllers do not have stand-alone show sequencing capabilities, and rely on a separate computer (usually a PC) to send it real-time sequences of dimmer commands.

Renard is strictly a do-it-yourself project, and there aren't any commercial (hardware or software) products available. There are, however, a number of PCB designs that people have created and made available for others to order on a coop basis. These include:

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• Renard PX1 - an inexpensive Pixel controller designed to work with standard Renard systems.
• Ren4Flood - a small 4-channel (single PIC) board for controlling a RGB+W LED flood such as the DIYC Flood (pcb design by budude)
• Renard8 - a small 8-channel (single PIC) board for use with external SSRs.
• Renard SS8 - a 8-channel (single PIC) board with integrated SSRs (pcb design by Wayne J)
• Renard16 - a 16-channel (two-PIC) board with integrated SSRs (pcb design by xmus)
• Renard SS16 - a 16-channel (two-PIC) board with integrated SSRs (pcb design by Wayne J)
• Renard24 - a 24-channel (three-PIC) board with integrated SSRs (pcb design by fkostyun)
• Renard24LV - a 24-channel (three-PIC) board for use with external SSRs (pcb design by fkostyun)
• Renard SS24 - a 24-channel (three-PIC) board with integrated SSRs (pcb design by Wayne J)
• REN 32 - a 32-channel board for use with external SSRs (pcb design by Wayne J and dlovely)
• Simple Renard 32 Combo - a 32-channel (one-PIC) board for use with external SSRs (pcb design by Mactayl and tstraub)
• Simple Renard RGB+W - a 32-channel (one-PIC) board that can be used to drive low power dc loads (pcb design by Mactayl and tstraub)
• Ren48LSD - a 48-channel (six-PIC) board that can be used to drive LED SuperStrips.
• Renard64 - a 64-channel (eight-PIC) board that uses external SSRs.
• Ren64TW - a 64-channel (eight-PIC) board that uses external SSRs. Has on board power supply and optional XBee. (pcb in development by bolwire)
• Ren-T - a transformer board for use with Renard to supply power, zero-crossing signal, and/or RS485 conversion
• Ren-C - a board that converts a 595/Grinch (normally non-dimming) board to a dimming 64-channel board.
• Ren-W - a board that converts a wired Renard controller into a wireless controller. (pcb design by Dirknerkle. See DIYChristmas.org)
• Ren816XB - a 8 or 16 channel board (two PIC) based on the SS16 but designed for external SSRs and is wireless. (pcb design by Dirknerkle. See DIYChristmas.org)
• Fox Cub - a 16 channel board (minimalistic Arduino based) with 256 levels of dimming, designed to work with AC or DC external SSRs

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General Renard Information

Renard: General Overview

Renard Data Cables: Information for Current Renard Board Design Data Cables

Renard Standard Setup: Simplified Connection Instructions

Renard Firmware: Description and Download

Renard Connection Instructions

PIC Programming Hints: p16f688.inc error, PIC16F688 Programming Socket/Adapter.

Renard Controller Presentation given during the August 17th, 2012 Online Mini Conference

IC_Orientation: Pin1 Identification information for helping identify Pin1 on IC's

Renard Board Designs

Renard PX1 Pixel Controller: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Ren4Flood: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard8: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM)

Renard SS8: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard 16: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard SS16: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard 24: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard 24LV: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Renard SS24: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

REN 32: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Simple Renard 32 Combo: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Simple Renard RGB+W: PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM, Assembly Instructions)

Ren 48LSD: PCB Documentation (BOMs, Assembly Instructions, Q&A)

Renard 64 XA/XB : PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM)

Renard 64 XC : PCB Documentation (schematic, layout, BOM)

Ren64TW: Under development

Renard-595 Converter: REN-C. Description of a Board for 192-level Dimming of the 64-Channel Olsen Controller or the GRINCH Controller

Ren-T: A transformer board that can supply power and ZC for the Renard boards.

Renard Wireless Converter: REN-W. Documentation (PCB layout, Schematic, BOMs, Assembly Instructions, Q&A, Troubleshooting)

Media: REN816XB_r2.pdf‎: REN816XB. Documentation (BOM, build, and configuration instructions)

Fox Cub: Fox Cub Documentation (PCB, Schematic, BOM, build and configuration instructions)