Introduction: Running LED Strips Tutorial (600W Capable)
Hi everyone, here is how I created a driver that can produce very cool light effect with a LED strip. It is controlled by Arduino UNO. It is very good for all who wants to know how to connect stronger consumers to otherwise weak Arduino outputs.
Parts needed:
1x Arduino (UNO)
10x MOS Module for Arduino (IRF520)
1x LED strip
1x 50kOhm Potentiometer
1x 12-24V Power suply
A lots of wires
1x good Will
Step 1: Video
Step 2: Wiring the Circuit
Circuit is very easy to connect, we only need to connect 3 pins on every MOS module. I have fixed them all together in this array with this M2.5 threaded rod and a lot of M2.5 screws, to make it more stable and well organised. Note that all the wires must be connect to connectors before fixing it into array, otherwise it is almost imposible to screw the screws, because they are hard to reach. All of the MOS modules are interconnected with common Ground (0V) to negative pole on Power suply (0V). LED strips are connected to power suply positive (+12V), with + pole, and - pole from LED strip is connected to the V+ on MOS module, as shown on schematic. After that every SIG pin from MOS modul needs to be connected to the output pin on Arduino. Then we just have to add a potentiometer to Arduino and connect common ground from power suply to Arduino GND.
Step 3: LED Strips
I have used standard 5050 LED strips, they are RGB ones, but I connected all 3 channels together so that they produce white light. I have already cutted LED strips to arround 30-40cm, so I glued them onto whiteboard, so that they look more organised. With this length they consume about 0.2A per strip, but MOS module is capable of 5A and 24V. Of course, then it would require a proper heatsink on IRF520 mosfet. Other light devices could be used with this driver too, they just need to be appropriate for this current and voltage.
Step 4:
Coding is nothing much complicated, just defining a few variable and then setting 2 pairs of FOR loops. Also a line for reading from AnalogPin is required.
Attachments
Step 5: Conclusion
This is really and easy setup to make cool and playful, but most of all, very bright light effect. It is capable of 60W per channel on 12V, meaning it can produce total of 600W of light in a playful way. With different Arduino code, it can be converted to a very powerfull VU meter. I was just very curious how well can MOS modules operate with Arduino, that's why I made it.