Beginners Setup Guide Renard Boards with External SSR

Introduction

This page was created to help out the new users who aren't fully confident that they have built their Renard board correctly. These steps are designed to allow the user to test/verify most components in a manner that should help to eliminate the possibility of damaging any of the components during initial testing.

The following procedures may appear to be tedious and time consuming but they are here for the individuals who are not confident in their soldering skills. By following these steps, the individual will be able to test out individual components and signal paths to verify that everything is working properly with minimal damage to components and rework.

The following procedures require the individual to be familiar with the operation of a digital multimeter (or voltmeter/ohmmeter if you prefer). If you currently do not know how to measure resistance or how to measure voltage, please take some time now an learn these basic skills before attempting these procedures. This website provides some basic information on using multimeters.

Multimeter Usage Tip
All DC voltages in this document are referenced to GND. So for all measurements, the multimeter negative (-), usually black, lead needs to be connected to a GND point on the PCB. The best location would be the GND Test Point located below U1. The positive lead (+), usually red, gets connected to the location called out in the procedure.

Disclaimers

Due to the nature of the information contained on this page, it is imperative that all individuals read and understand the disclaimers contained here.

Renard Basic Setup Steps

1. Ensure all power is OFF
2. Remove all cables
3. If installed, remove all the removable IC chips. For this example, the REN64 will be used. For other boards, the items will be similar but the chip number may be different. (U2, U4 thru U8, and M1 thru M24). The REN64XC chips to be removed are: U3, U4, U5, U7-U14.
4. Perform a complete and thorough inspection of the underside of the PCB.

   • Check all the solder pads for clean solder joints, no bridging between adjacent pads and that all pads did get soldered.
   • Make sure the board surface is clean and free from any debris and flux residue.

5. Connect a 6.3VAC power supply to Tab1/Tab2. This requires understanding how to wire up the transformer.
6. Turn ON AC power
7. Measure DC voltage at the +5 test point (below U1).

   • It should be 5.0 (+/- .1) VDC
   • If incorrect , then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide

8. Power LED should be lit.

   • If it didn’t , then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide

9. Momentarily connect a jumper (small piece of wire) between U7 IC socket pin 13 and pin 14

   • Channel X LED should light-->This is the HB LED. Once again, the chip numbering is specific to the REN64XC. Some Renard boards have specific LEDs for the HB or "Heart Beat" Function.

10. Momentarily connect a jumper between U7 IC socket pin 10 and pin 14

    • Channel X LED should light -->This is the ZC or "Zero Crossing" LED

11. Momentarily connect a jumper between U7 IC socket pin 9 and pin 14

    • Channel X LED should light -->This is the SD or "Data" LED.

12. Momentarily connect a jumper between U7 IC socket pin 8 and pin 14

    • Channel X LED should light -->This is the FE or "Framing Error" LED.

13. Momentarily connect a jumper between U7 IC socket pin 7 and pin 14

    • Channel X LED should light -->This is the OE or "Overun" LED.

14. If any of the LEDs in steps 11 thru 15 did not light, then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide
15. Turn OFF AC power
16. Install a SSR like the SSRez into Jxx with a known good straight through CAT5 cable. If you are not sure that the cable is good, use the DMM to ring out the cable.
17. Attach some test lights to the SSR terminal block for Channel 1.
18. Turn ON AC power
19. The power LED on the SSR should be on.
20. Test lights should be OFF
21. Momentarily connect a jumper (small piece of wire) between U7 IC socket pin 3 and pin 14

    • Test lights should come ON when the jumper is connected

22. If either step 23 or step 24 failed, then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide
23. Repeat steps 18 thru 25 using the information in the following table:
    

    Board Channel	IC Socket Number	Output Jack	Test Lights at SSR Channel	Connect jumper between
    Channel 1	U7	J12	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 2	U7	J12	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 3	U7	J12	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 4	U7	J12	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 5	U7	J8	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 6	U7	J8	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 7	U7	J8	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 8	U7	J8	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 9	U8	J11	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 10	U8	J11	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 11	U8	J11	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 12	U8	J11	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 13	U8	J7	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 14	U8	J7	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 15	U8	J7	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 16	U8	J7	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 17	U9	J10	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 18	U9	J10	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 19	U9	J10	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 20	U9	J10	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 21	U9	J6	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 22	U9	J6	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 23	U9	J6	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 24	U9	J6	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 25	U10	J9	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 26	U10	J9	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 27	U10	J9	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 28	U10	J9	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 29	U10	J5	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 30	U10	J5	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 31	U10	J5	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 32	U10	J5	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 33	U11	J21	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 34	U11	J21	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 35	U11	J21	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 36	U11	J21	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 37	U11	J16	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 38	U11	J16	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 39	U11	J16	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 40	U11	J16	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 41	U12	J20	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 42	U12	J20	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 43	U12	J20	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 44	U12	J20	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 45	U12	J15	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 46	U12	J15	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 47	U12	J15	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 48	U12	J15	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 49	U13	J19	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 50	U13	J19	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 51	U13	J19	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 52	U13	J19	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 53	U13	J14	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 54	U13	J14	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 55	U13	J14	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 56	U13	J14	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 57	U14	J18	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 3 -> Pin 14
    Channel 58	U14	J18	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 13 -> Pin 14
    Channel 59	U14	J18	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 12 -> Pin 14
    Channel 60	U14	J18	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 11 -> Pin 14
    Channel 61	U14	J13	Channel 1	IC Socket Pin 10 -> Pin 14
    Channel 62	U14	J13	Channel 2	IC Socket Pin 9 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 63	U14	J13	Channel 3	IC Socket Pin 8 and -> Pin 14
    Channel 64	U14	J13	Channel 4	IC Socket Pin 7 and -> Pin 14

    
    

24. Turn OFF AC power
25. Place a shunt on JP2
26. Install optocoupler U2 (PN# 782-H11AA1).
27. Install two RS232/RS485 Interface ICs U4 & U5 (PN# 511-ST485BN).
    
    
    

    If you have a PIC programmed with the Renard Diagnostic Firmware continue with step 31.

    
    

    If you only have a PIC programmed with the Renard Operational Firmware then go to step 47.

    
    
    
28. Install PIC microcontroller U6 (PN# 579-PIC16F688-I/P) programmed with the Renard Diagnostic Firmware.
29. Place a shunt (jumper) on JP3.
30. If desired, attached lights to terminal blocks [N Ch1] thru [N Ch8]. The diagnostics can be done with only the on-board LEDs.
31. Turn ON AC power
    
    

    NOTE:
    

    The following step only applies if you are using the Beta Renard Diagnostic Firmware.
    

    If you are using the proven/existing Renard Diagnostic Firmware just skip this step.

    
    

32. The Renard Diagnostic Firmware should perform the following channel test:

    • All channels ON for approx. 2 seconds
    • All channels OFF for approx. 2 seconds
    • Channel 1 turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 2 (HB LED) turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 3 turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 4 turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 5 (ZC LED) turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 6 (SD LED) turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 7 (FE LED) turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF
    • Channel 8 (OE LED) turns ON for approx. 1 second then turns OFF

      The above routine is done three times
      

33. The Renard Diagnostic Firmware should now be blinking the HB LED (channel 2) and ZC LED (channel 5). All other channels/LEDs should be OFF.
34. If either step 55 or step 56 failed, then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide
35. Turn OFF AC power
36. Connect a data cable to the computer running Vixen to either J2 or JDP1 on the Renard SS24.
37. If receiving RS232 data from the computer place a shunt on JP1
38. Turn ON AC power
39. Wait for the diagnostics routine in step 55 to complete
    

    REMINDER:
    Make sure that Vixen is configured correctly before attempting the next step.
    The settings for the Renard Dimmer Plug-In should be set as shown on
    The Renard SS24 Controller Board wiki page. The only difference would be to
    set the baud rate to 19200 for the non-beta Renard Diagnostic Firmware.

    
    

40. Run a Vixen sequence
    

    NOTE:
    Vixen only sends out data when there is a change in event data.
    So make sure that the test sequence you are using has frequent changes in the event data..

    
    

41. SD LED will be ON whenever Vixen sends data to the Renard SS24. The FE and OE LEDs should remain OFF.

    • If incorrect , then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide

42. Turn OFF AC power
43. Remove U6
44. To verify other functional PICs, repeat steps 51 thru 66 with two new PICs
45. Install PIC microcontrollers U6, U7 & U8 (PN# 579-PIC16F688-I/P) programmed with the Renard Operational Firmware.
46. Turn ON AC power
    

    REMINDER:
    Make sure that Vixen is configured correctly before attempting the next step.
    The settings for the Renard Dimmer Plug-In should be set as shown on
    The Renard SS24 Controller Board wiki page.

    
    

47. Run a Vixen sequence

    • If the outputs do not respond correctly, then go to the Renard SS24 Troubleshooting Guide

Your Renard SS24 should now be fully operational!

Related Links

The Renard SS24 Controller Board

Assembly Instructions The Renard SS24

Troubleshooting Guide The Renard SS24

Renard Main Page

Renard Firmware

Part Substitutions

VIXEN

Glossary of DIYC Terms

Electronic Symbols