Meanwell LDD driver: for those who want to dim to 0 using Arduino

[Skinnysloth]

I bought 10 LDD 600H from jameco and their shipping charge to me (I'm in California) was $3.85. I also had to pay tax.

*Just checked, they don't seem to have any in stock right now, so I guess that's no help.

 

[zachts]

I ordered a box of ELNs from powergate a while back and shipping was like ~$8 to Missouri.

 

[AMDphenomx4]

Hey Guys, it's all good! I really like the fact that we don't need to be terribly concerned about spec'ing our power supplies based on their rated output current anymore. As long as we maintain enough voltage "headroom" and total Watt capacity, the LDD will take care of the rest.:thumbsup:

That was my plan all along.

 

[Ronic]

I ordered 5 LDD-700H from Powergate and the shipping to Michigan was $15.97

 

[sfsuphysics]

I ordered 5 LDD-700H from Powergate and the shipping to Michigan was $15.97

Considering how tiny they are that's pretty damn expensive.

 

[tdb320reef]

Jarduino to LDD PWM connectivity

Jarduino to LDD PWM connectivity

Quick Question All 320 DIy Buld with 248 + LEDS using LDD/ w pcb and Arduino

I have the Jarduino built with the software uploaded and working great. I also have the LDD’s soldered to the pcbs along with the terminal blocks that I ordered previously.

According to the Jarduino schema pins 7-13 are reserved for PWM. I get that the PWM wire from the driver connects to corresponding pin 7-13 but how do you connect ground? I can’t find a good wiring diagram to understand how the ground is connected for the PWM pins. Any advice is appreciated.

One other quetion. I will have for 4 LDDs-1000 for example running Blues, can all for of them run on one pin?. If not how many drivers can I run off of one PWM pin?

Here is someone else’s drawing that is doing exactly what I am doing but I still don’t understand how ground is connected for PWM or is it simply not needed?

 

[zachts]

everything shares a common ground with the DC power supply, just like in the diagram. If wired up the same as the diagram then everthing should be working. if not then your drivers and arduino have isolated grounds somehow and that needs to be corrected.

 

[tdb320reef]

everything shares a common ground with the DC power supply, just like in the diagram. If wired up the same as the diagram then everthing should be working. if not then your drivers and arduino have isolated grounds somehow and that needs to be corrected.

Okay cool just want I needed to hear. How many LDDs can run off of one pin?

For example can I take the 4 PWM wires for blue drivers solder and shrink to one pwm pin on the jarduino?

 

[Eud]

What's a good way to get 12v DC for fans and 5v DC for a Steve's Aquarium Controller Interface from a 48v power supply that will be supplying the LDD's?

 

[one clownfish]

Okay cool just want I needed to hear. How many LDDs can run off of one pin?

For example can I take the 4 PWM wires for blue drivers solder and shrink to one pwm pin on the jarduino?

Quote:
Originally Posted by O2Surplus
2.) The current draw for the PWM pin is 5ma @ 100% on average. Because of this, I would not recommend driving more than 6 LDD's per arduino pin. 40ma is the maximum per I/O pin according to the folks at Arduino CC.

 

[tomservo]

To follow-up my previous measurements on the current draw of the LDD dimming circuit I enlisted the assistance from someone who knows more about electronics then me. It turns out my measurements were sort of correct, I just had a decimal point in the wrong place.

So, the actual measurements are:

100% duty cycle - 7.7uA
0% duty cycle - 53uA

Please note that these are micro amps rather than milli amps. So, in effect, we are never going to get close to exceeding the current limitations of the Arduino pins or board.

We also checked out the dimming control on an oscilloscope - there is a very sharp edge on the cycle which apparently suggests a FET or something similar. It was also suggested that, because of the way this is working, there is no dumping of excess voltage which explains why a 48v supply with one led does not result in the LDD getting hot.

Just bumping

 

[007Bond]

Hay Tom, did you ever end up making your 10 LDD boards to work in parallel?---Rick

 

[tomservo]

Rick, I have the boards but no LDD's yet.. the shipping and customs to canada is ridiculous so I need to wait until I can make a trip down south.. And I need to fix my van first. It's a ***** cause I need like 50 LDD's now.

 

[007Bond]

I know you have been waiting on LLD's, Me to! You guys were working on what was needed to parallel the LDD's together. I plan on using IC Sockets on the boards so it would make it easy to mix two LDD's for what ever power you want to drive your LED's.

 

[chicken]

What's a good way to get 12v DC for fans and 5v DC for a Steve's Aquarium Controller Interface from a 48v power supply that will be supplying the LDD's?

I have used Aimtec's switching regulators before for some DIY Christmas stuff and they worked fine. I am curious to see what others are thinking of using otherwise I think I am going to use the same aimtec ones again. Only downside was they were not cheap ~$10 each. Thanks

http://www.aimtec.com/amsrw-7805z-2...p3-switching-regulators-power-supply#products

 

[007Bond]

I ordered one of these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/350705146749?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[tomservo]

I have used Aimtec's switching regulators before for some DIY Christmas stuff and they worked fine. I am curious to see what others are thinking of using otherwise I think I am going to use the same aimtec ones again. Only downside was they were not cheap ~$10 each. Thanks

http://www.aimtec.com/amsrw-7805z-2...p3-switching-regulators-power-supply#products

On my 10x LDD boards I used the LM2575HV-12 switching regulator - it's only 3 components if your input power is clean but the HV (high voltage) option means the basic chip is almost $6, but the normal one can only take 40v in.. The HV can take 60v input. So I'm not going to include all the fan controller jazz on every board as it ends up being like $12 per board additional cost.

 

[Kawi9_cf]

Hey guys I received my 5-up boards yesterday and they look amazing! Thanks o2surplus!

I went ahead and soldered the connectors to the board and I soldered all of my LEDs up. I powered them up without the dimming circuits hooked up yet and they were working perfectly. I was extremely pleased. Then after approximately 2 minutes my brand new power supply quit working.

Did I miscalculate and overload the power supply and that's why it went out or did I just receive a dud?

I was running 5 LDDs one 1000, two 700s, one 500, and a 350. The most LEDs I have on any of the strings is 12. They are 3 watt Cree LEDs from rapidled.

I am using a 48V 7.5A ebay power supply.


Any input would be greatly appreciated. I want to go ahead and order another power supply but I want to make sure I get the right one. Any recommendations or links to a good affordable power supply would be appreciated.

 

[sfsuphysics]

From a spec stand point your PS should handle it fine. The one thing that gives me pause is the description of "ebay power supply" was it a new one? used one? off brand Chinese model?

 

[Kawi9_cf]

It was a new one. Here is the link to the one I purchased. I think it's just a no name Chinese ps.