Renard Connection Instructions (early Renard Designs)

This page describes how to connect up the various Renard controllers that have been made available for others to build.

The Renard controllers fall into two basic categories. Some controllers have SSRs included on the controller PCB, and are connected directly to the AC power lines and to the AC load (lights, usually). Other controllers work with separate SSRs, and are not directly connected to the AC power line (except maybe to supply a zero-crossing signal).

Ren-T (Transformer Board)

Here is the schematic of a transformer board that may be useful for bring the input (RS232), the zero-crossing signal (and low-voltage power, in some cases) to the Renard controllers. The current rating of the transformer is good for powering perhaps four Renard8 boards (assuming 75 mA each). This transformer board can be used to bring input signals and zero-crossing signals into the Renard64 board and into the Ren-C converter, although some other method must be used supply low-voltage power to the controller (the Renard64 requires 1A when the status LEDs are installed, and the Ren-C board draws power from the 595 board that it is attached to).

The various Renard boards all have several different connection options, and must be configured properly to use this transformer board. You can find the instructions for configuring the Ren-T for different applications here .

Note: the filter cap on the Renard16 board is too small to work with the transformer board at this time. That board must be powered using an externally filtered supply.

Note: the 1N5819 diodes can be replaced with 1N4001 diodes, especially if you are not using this board to provide power to the Renard controller (i.e. you are using it just for the input signal zero-crossing connections.

Wjohn's home made power supply, based on the circuit above.

Inside wjohn's home made power supply, based on the circuit above. The case is an ABS instrument case, and the transformer is mounted using plastic hardware (insulated). The RJ45 is a PCB mount version, that has been 'hot glued' to the front panel. The wiring is kept tidy by using heat shrink tubing around the cable runs. AC is connected to the PSU via the IEC socket on the rear panel. A panel mounted fuse holder is used to keep things safe and an illuminated power switch and DC powered LED provide inidication of status of the PSU on the front panel.

Below is a PCB based version of the power supply. This was the first version constructed by Wayne. There is a second version undergoing evaluation. Version 2 will include onboard RS-232 to RS-485 conversion, as well as the power supply in Version 1.

Controllers without Integrated SSRs

Renard64

The power requirements for Renard64 depend on how the board is assembled. If the LEDs are installed on the board and the PWM firmware is used (so that the on-board status LEDS dim), the board will require about 1A at +5V. If the LEDs are omitted but the PWM firmware is used, the board will require about 0.5A (this configuration might be needed for use with LED strings). If the non-PWM firmware is used, the board will need less than 100 mA (regardless of whether the status LEDs are installed or not. These instructions (for now) assume that the first option above is chosen.

To use the Renard64 board with the transformer board described above, the Renard64 board must be assembled as follows:

1) Omit U6 (H11AA1), R1, R2 and J1
2) Install Q1 (2N3904)
3) Install R14 (10K)
4) Jumper J2-2 to J2-3
5) Omit D1

In this case, the easiest way to bring the regulated 5V power into the Renard64 board is to install a 3-pin Molex connector in place of U1 (omitting D1, as indicated above, and also omit C1), and use a PC power supply to provide 5V power (Ground to Pin 2, +5V to pin 3, leave Pin 1 open). An alternative method of bringing regulated 5V power into the board is to use pins 7,8 of the input RJ45 connector (bring the zero-crossing in through J1, J3-3, or J17, and place jumpers across D1 and across pins 1,3 of U1).

Connections

Serial Connections

RS232

The connection from the PC to the transformer board is via a straight thru cable.

The PC end of the cable is a Female DB-9, and the transformer board end of the cable is a Male DB-9.

There are only two wires required:

 Pin # 3  (Transmit Data)
 Pin # 5  (Gnd)