Introduction: Arduino RGB Led Controller
i recently got an arduino and the first project i tried was oomlouts instructable. there was to much work to do on the code so i made a simpler one.
Step 1: Parts
for the parts you will need
a common cathode rgb led
3 270-330 ohm resistors
an arduino der
if you have a common anode instead
you will need
3 NPN transistors
3 1k resistors
Step 2: Setup
this is how you setup your led for common cathode of you have the other type go to step 3
red pin to resistor to pin 9
green pin to resistor to pin 10
blue pin to resitor to pin 11
longest pin to ground
DI is blue pin
D2 is green pin
D3 is red pin
Step 3: Common Anode Rgb
this step is for the common anode people
r4-6 1k
1-3 270-330 ohm
u1-3 npn transistor
D1 blue pin
D2 green pin
D3 red pin
ignore the pin 1-3 signs it is just the pin 9 10 11 signs that are for arduino
Step 4: Programing
here is the code for it
it is since to edit the code to make the different colour combinations
using a colour code chart or random colours
Attachments
Step 5: Enjoy
i hope you liked my instructable
16 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
I have been looking for a way to do this but to safely use my arduino to control the RGB lighting in my room with the 12V 3A power supply without burning out my arduino and using the PWM for the control. Do you have any advice?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Try connecting it to a optoisolator or transistor. with the arduino on one side and 12V 3A on the other.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Also try MOSFETS
9 years ago on Step 3
I cld be mistaken but isn't the Arduino capable of sinking the LED current and therefore you wld not really need the transistors?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Its for say driving more than 1 rgb led
10 years ago on Step 2
Shouldn't be better to use a led driver for an rgb led with different voltages for every channel? Someone said using resistors is not safe for the led lifetime.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
works fine with with me though i wanted to keep it cheap
Reply 9 years ago on Step 2
Is the diagram correct for the direction of the diodes? It looks like the triangles are facing the wrong direction.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes the dirgram for the diodes is wrong reverse them
9 years ago on Step 2
isnt this a picture of a common anode?
10 years ago on Step 4
The code isn't downloading as the correct file, everytime I try to run it out the folder it won't open.
Reply 9 years ago on Step 4
click save target as then click save type as the add .pde to the end
10 years ago on Step 4
you right click and click save target or save target as.
.PDE is for arduino IDE
Reply 10 years ago on Step 4
or you click the file and copy the code to arduino IDE
10 years ago on Introduction
What arduino is this?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
a duemilanove with, looks to be, 328.