(Another) DIY LED Controller - Simple Arduino Style

[TheFishMan65]

I had one of the timer outlet go on me, but luckily it was still under warranty.

I like the idea of less waves at night. So I am toying with this idea. I wonder if using an interrupt (did you get there yet). And cycling it with code rather than a PWM maybe 4 times a second would work for night mode.

 

[katchupoy]

Fishman, just so you know... the one that killed my Ranco Controller and Wavetimer is the big electricity fluctuations we had lately because of a storm... I know that it does not happen all the time, but i guess they are sensitive to these...

 

[katchupoy]

And cycling it with code rather than a PWM maybe 4 times a second would work for night mode.

4 times a second. Im not sure this is possible. Will make a lot of clicks???

 

[TheReefNinja]

Ok I ordered 2 of everything today, 2 arduino kits + all parts. Now I have to ask how will we be hooking this up to the meanwell? do I need to order anything else?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Do you still have the wavemaker. I might have you send me the internal board to analyze .

The idea is to never let the impeller quite spinning. Let it almost stop and hit it full power for a few seconds. And repeat. It would be lots of mini waves, but if close enough together maybe seen as one medium wave.

 

[Molehs]

Ordered mine as well, went with the mega to keep my options more open. Granted I'll be happy to let you guys make all the mistakes before I actually get mine. Heh.

 

[Jeff D]

I just want to control my Meanwell drivers!

 

[katchupoy]

I just want to control my Meanwell drivers!

Jeff,

tell us what do you have already? Im trying my best to make it as fast as I can, so forgive me for not being fast enough.

You have the LED and driver connected. Everything is working...
You want to just simply ramp up and down your lights...
What do you have (based on my parts list)? I see that you have the duemilanove... anything else?

Thanks.

 

[Jeff D]

Hi, Thanks for posting so quick! I am a couple of days out from getting the rest of my parts, all I have now is the adrino board and that's all I have now.
I ordered the clock and LCD shields, the transistors , resistors and breadboards I have got already.
I have 3 /2' typical heatsink diy led lights with 4 rows of 12 on each heatsink. And 12 meanwell eln drivers. All I want to do is cycle the LEDs correctly! Ramp up and down . Easy? Thanks Jeff

 

[katchupoy]

Hi, Thanks for posting so quick! I am a couple of days out from getting the rest of my parts, all I have now is the adrino board and that's all I have now.
I ordered the clock and LCD shields, the transistors , resistors and breadboards I have got already.
I have 3 /2' typical heatsink diy led lights with 4 rows of 12 on each heatsink. And 12 meanwell eln drivers. All I want to do is cycle the LEDs correctly! Ramp up and down . Easy? Thanks Jeff

Tell me more. Are you wiring all the blues together and whites together I assume? How many channels do you want? I mean you can start with two. 1 channel for white and another to blue... That means also that all blue will ramp up at the same time... and the same with white? are we on the same page?

So I still have time to make a write up since you just ordered your parts... whew!

 

[TheReefNinja]

katchupoy, How are you currently getting the 10v signal to the meanwells? isnt the ardiuno 5v?

I am running 25 leds and 2 meanwell 48d's 9 white on one and 16 blue on the other using 9v regulated wallwart to a pot for dimming.

 

[shikhyung]

Will the shield from an old cell fone work?

 

[TheFishMan65]

No, shield is a term the Arduino people use for daughter board. It has requirements and placement so they can stack up.

 

[Jeff D]

Tell me more. Are you wiring all the blues together and whites together I assume? How many channels do you want? I mean you can start with two. 1 channel for white and another to blue... That means also that all blue will ramp up at the same time... and the same with white? are we on the same page?

So I still have time to make a write up since you just ordered your parts... whew!

I think i want at least 4 channels 2 white 2 blue for moon lights and when the time comes, effects!

 

[katchupoy]

katchupoy, How are you currently getting the 10v signal to the meanwells? isnt the ardiuno 5v?

I am running 25 leds and 2 meanwell 48d's 9 white on one and 16 blue on the other using 9v regulated wallwart to a pot for dimming.

Reefninja. My next posts will answer you question I hope.

 

[katchupoy]

I think i want at least 4 channels 2 white 2 blue for moon lights and when the time comes, effects!

I believe you have 4 drivers but will do only 2 channels (ramp up and down). Both white will be on one channel. And both blues will be on another.

If I understand you correctly, then you will only have 1 ramp up for Blue and another ramp up for white.

 

[katchupoy]

Lets continue.

Lets continue.

Here is the wiring diagram complete with RTC1307...

You will notice that they share common ground and 5v supply.

 

[katchupoy]

Wiring diagram

Wiring diagram

Do you remember this? This is the original wiring diagram "with pot" and without Arduino...

Well the only change we will do with this wiring is to "tap" or "cut" the negative side from the "10v" signal going to the LED driver.

This diagram is only for one channel and for one Arduino pin. It means 1 ramp up and down. One channel can have 1,2 or 4 LED drivers connected to it, but this only means that all of them will ramp up and ramp down at the same time.

If you need to put another channel, example... white, then you just need to duplicate the wiring, resistor, transistor and use another arduino pin.

 

[katchupoy]

I believe thats it for the hardware side of simple LED Controller using Arduino. Simple Ramp Up and Ramp Down.

So if you have questions before we go to the software side, please do so...

 

[Jeff D]

Hi, I have 6 blue drivers and 6 white drivers