Buttons and RBG LED Strips

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

Hello all!,
I am a relatively new user with arduino and would like some help!

How can I power an RGB LED Strip without damaging the ardino (the one which I'm looking to get has the following requirements
12 v dc, 600mA, / Metre
I intend to use about 4 meters.
Are there any components which need to be added to the set-up.
And will this light work?

This is the intended set-up:
A non lockable push button = input
RGB LED Strip = Output
A flow chart would be as follows.

Push and Release Button 1 ---> RGB LED Strip lights up instantly AFTER button is pushed to a preset colour (e.g. Liliac) -----> RGB LED Strip fades out to off.

Push and Release Button 2 ----> LED Strip performs same action but turns Blue

I am aiming at having 6-8 buttons, each with their own corresponding colour represented by the LED strip.
And if its possible can I do this?
Button 3 + 4 pressed = Led Colour Yellow?

Is this setup Possible?

2

You need a separate powersupply for the LED strip.

The proposed setup with the buttons and the color fades should not be too difficult to implement.

For a good example of hooking things up, and possibly some code you can use as a starting point check this:

3

Ah thats fantastic!
This is the exact RGB LED strip Im getting,

Will it be able to be programmed by the arduino ?

http://www.coolstrip.co.uk/pdf//HB_FlexLed_RGB.pdf

4

I have driven a 1m strip of the same kind with the same setup as in the link above from Arduino without any problems.

If you haven't already orderd your LED strip check the prices at dealextreme.com. They are dirt cheap and have free worldwide shipping.