ErnieHorning: Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.

2026-08-06T22:17:40Z

Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.

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== Notes on the use of these charts ==

:'''The cost estimates are only that, estimates.'''
::*They are generally based on placing a Mouser order for the parts for one board using the BOM that has been provided.
::*They do not include shipping.
::*The costs may significantly lower if the parts are obtained through a coop or from other sources.
::*The price of electronic components and PCBs changes quickly.
::*Individual results will vary.
:'''My apologies to any/all board designers if I omitted some critical information.'''
 

== Board Comparison ==

:The following tables have been updated to only include boards that are actively being supported by the DoItYourselfChristmas.com community. Correct and accurate information concerning boards supported by other forums is best found there.
 

=== Light Controllers===

{| border="1" cellpadding="10" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!| Controller Board || Number of Channels || Dimmable || PC Communication Method
!| Compatible with COOP SSR || Requires External Power Supply || Estimated cost to populate 1 board || Board COOP Status || PCB Dimensions
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Olsen 595|COOP Olsen 595]] || 64 || No¹ || Parallel Port || Yes || Yes || $40-$50 || Boards Available Contact macrosill || 4.4” x 7.8”
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:GRINCH_Controller_Assembly_Instructions|Grinch]] || 64 || No¹ || Parallel Port || Yes || Yes || $20-$25 || Boards Available Contact wjohn || 2" x 6.8"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:The Renard SS8 Controller Board| Renard SS8]] || 8 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A On-board SSRs || No || $35-$45 || Boards & Kits Available Contact Wayne J || 3.4" x 6"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard16|Renard16]] (Xmus16) || 16 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A On-board SSRs || Yes || $50-$60 || Boards Available Contact wjohn || 2.9" x 7"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:The Renard SS16 Controller Board| Renard SS16]] || 16 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A On-board SSRs || No || $50-$60 || Boards & Kits Available Contact Wayne J || 4.1" x 8"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:24 Channel Renard with SSR Assembly Instructions| Renard24]] || 24 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A On-board SSRs || No || $75-$85 || Boards Available contact g2ktcf || 7” x 5.8”
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:The Renard SS24 Controller Board| Renard SS24]] || 24 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A On-board SSRs || No || $65-$75 || Boards & Kits Available Contact Wayne J || 4" x 11"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:REN_32_Controller_Board| REN 32]] || 32 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || Yes || No || $35-$40 || Boards Available Contact Wayne J || 3.625" X 6.5"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard64|Renard64]] || 64 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || Yes || Yes * Requires LV AC source || $55-$65 || Boards Available Contact wjohn or g2ktcf || 5" x 6.5" (Rev XC)
|-
| Firegod W/ 4 field Modules || 128 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232) || Yes (with latest firmware)
| No || $135-$145 (w/ 4 field modules) || COOP complete No boards available || 2.5" x 3.8"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Ren48LSD|Ren48LSD]] || 48 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || N/A LED Driver || Yes || $50 || Boards available at diyledexpress.com || 4.0" x 7.0"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard Plus 32|Renard Plus 32]] || 32 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || Yes || No || $35 || Boards Available contact g2ktcf || 4.3" x 6.15" Pre-Drilled for CG500
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Fox_Cub_Overview| FoxCub16]] || 16 || Yes || Serial Port (RS-232/RS-485) || Yes || Yes || $22 || Home Etch || 3.2" x 4"
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Solid State Relays| SSRNeon-G2]] || 4 || Yes || 4 Sinking inputs from Controller Boards || N/A || N/A || $10-$12 || Boards Available contact ukewarrior || 2.75" x 2.25" Pre-Drilled for TA200
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Solid State Relays| SSRez]] || 4 || Yes || 4 Sinking inputs from Controller Boards || N/A || N/A || $7-$10 || Boards Available contact g2ktcf || 2.75" x 2.25" Pre-Drilled for TA200
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Solid State Relays| SSROZ V2.d]] || 4 || Yes || 4 Sinking inputs from Controller Boards || N/A || N/A || $10-$12 || Boards Available Contact wjohn
|
|}
 

:*Note¹ - Olsen 595 and Grinch can be dimmed by using a Ren-T (or other Zero Cross source) and [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Ren-C|Ren-C]] board
 

=== Other Boards Available ===

{| border="1" cellpadding="10" style="text-align: center; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|-
!| Board || PC Communication Method || Function(s) || Estimated cost to populate board || Board COOP Status
|-
| [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard-595 Converter|Ren-C]] || Serial Port (RS-232)
| align="left" |
#Converts dimming Renard serial data into 595 compatable dimming data
#Creates dimming for the Olsen 595 and Grinch boards
 
:*Requires a ZC signal
|| $10-$12 || Boards Available Contact wjohn
|-
| LEDTriks || Parallel Port
| align="left" | Used to generate messages/effects on a 16 x 48 grid of LEDs || $20-$25 || Boards Available
 Contact wjohn
|-
| LEDTriks LED Panels || N/A
| align="left" | Set of 3 Panels for LED Mounting Makes the LEDTricks Assembly Simple || $45 || Boards Available
 Contact g2ktcf
|-
| Ren-W || Serial Port RS-485
| align="left" | Converts a wired Renard controller into wireless || $27-$70 || Boards Available
 Contact dirknerkle
|}

== Board Construction Difficulty ==

:'''This information is completely subjective and opinions will vary.'''

:An empty entry does not imply no problems. It only implies that, at this posting, no first-hand experience was available to make an entry.

{| border="1" cellpadding="10" style="text-align: center; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
!width="125"| Board
!width="175"| Difficulty Level
!width="350"| Construction Issues
|-
| COOP Olsen 595 || Easy || None
|-
| Grinch || Easy || None
|-
| Renard SS8 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard16 (Xmus16) || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard SS16 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard24 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard SS24 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard64 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Ren48LSD || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| Renard Plus 32 || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC and a 40 Pin Socket or ISCP Cable
|-
| Firegod W/ 4 field Modules || Moderate
| align="left" |
|-
| FoxCub16 || Easy
| align="left" | - Requires an ISP or Arduino for bootloader
|-
| SSRNeon-G2 || Easy || None
|-
| COOP SSR & SSROZ V2.d || Easy || None
|-
| Ren-C || Moderate
| align="left" | - Requires a PIC programmer for the PIC IC
|-
| LEDTriks || Moderate
| align="left" | - LED panel itself a large undertaking
|-
| Ren-W || | Easy
|align="left"| -XBee Programmer recommended but not required
|}

[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:DIYC Controllers]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Beginners Info]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:General Info]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard SS8]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard SS16]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard SS24]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard 24]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard 48LSD]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard 64XC]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard64]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard16 (xmus)]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:The Grinch]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Olsen 595]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:Firegod and Helix]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:RPMs DMX Designs]]
[[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:DIYC Index]]

Archived ChristmasWiki:Comparison of DIY Boards - Revision history

ErnieHorning: Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.