Comparison of DIY Boards: Difference between revisions

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(New page: == Comparison of Do-It-Yourself Boards == === Disclaimer === *The cost estimates are only that, estimates. Individual results will vary. My apologies to any/all board designers if I om...)
 
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| Lynx || Unknown at this time
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| COOP SSR <br> & <br> SSROZ V2.d || Easy || None
| COOP SSR <br> & <br> SSROZ V2.d || Easy || None

Revision as of 23:14, 8 December 2007

Comparison of Do-It-Yourself Boards

Disclaimer

  • The cost estimates are only that, estimates. Individual results will vary. My apologies to any/all board designers if I omitted some critical information.


Controller Board Comparison

Controller Board Number of Channels Dimmable PC Communication Method Compatible with
COOP SSR
Estimated cost to
populate 1 board
Board COOP Status
COOP Olsen 595 64 No¹ Parallel Port Yes $35-$40 COOP complete
No boards available
Grinch 64 No¹ Parallel Port Yes $17-$23 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Renard8 8 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
Yes $20-$25 No COOP done
Renard16
(Xmus16)
16 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
N/A
On-board SSRs
$45-$55 2nd COOP
Starting
Contact xmus
Renard24 24 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
N/A
On-board SSRs
$55-$65 COOP complete
No boards available
Renard64 64 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
Yes $75-$85 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Firegod
W/ 4 field Modules
128 Yes Serial Port
(RS-232)
Yes
(with latest firmware)
$135-$145
(w/ 4 field modules)
COOP complete
No boards available
Lynx 16 Yes Serial Port
(DMX)²
N/A
On-board SSRs
$80
(complete kit)
COOP
Starting
Contact RJ
COOP SSR
&
SSROZ V2.d
4 Yes 4 Sinking inputs
from Controller Boards
$10-$12 SSR COOP complete
No boards available
SSROZ COOP
on-going
Contact wjohn


Other Boards Available

Board PC Communication Method Function(s) Estimated cost to populate board Board COOP Status
Ren-T Serial Port
(RS-232)
1) Converts RS232 to RS485
2) Generates Zero Cross (ZC) signal
3) Enables a RS485 pass-thru
$25-$30 COOP complete
No boards available
Ren-C Serial Port
(RS-232)
1) Converts dimming Renard serial data into 595 compatable dimming data
2) Creates dimming for the Olsen 595 and Grinch boards

*Requires a ZC signal (Ren-T a good source)
$10-$12 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
LEDTriks Parallel Port Used to generate messages/effects on a 16 x 48 grid of LEDs $20-$25 COOP on-going
Contact wjohn
Pixel Serial Port
(DMX)³
RGB LED light device $10
(board comes completely assembled)
COOP complete
Boards available
Contact JEC


  • Note¹ - Olsen 595 and Grinch can be dimmed by using a Ren-T and Ren-C board
  • Note² - Requires an Entec Pro DMX dongle to convert PC Serial data into DMX
  • Note³ - Requires a DMX dongle to convert PC Serial data into DMX


Board Construction Difficulty

  • This information is completely subjective and opinions will vary. Empty entries does not imply no problems only that at this posting no first hand experience was available to make an entry.


Board Difficulty Level Construction Issues
COOP Olsen 595 Easy None
Grinch Easy None
Renard8 Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard16
(Xmus16)
Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard24 Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
Renard64 Moderate
To
Difficult
- Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
- 3 different options that it can be built to
Firegod
W/ 4 field Modules
Moderate
Lynx Easy - Manual with pics/ basic soldering skills only
COOP SSR
&
SSROZ V2.d
Easy None
Ren-T Easy
To
Moderate
- 3 different options/cases that it can be built to
Ren-C Moderate - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
LEDTriks Moderate - LED panel itself a large undertaking