Hi. I have an idea where I would like to control a series of 40Watt bulbs with my arduino. Will this be simply increasing the power of the signal with transistors? This is my first non-tutorial based electronics project so I am very new to it all.
Thank you in advance for any help which I may receive.
Danny.
40 Watt ?
= How many Volts? 5,10, 110, 220 ?
= do you need a switch on/off or a dimmer?
The more precise you tell what you want the better we can provide help
Hey. Thanks for the very swift reply. It must be said that I havent thought this through a great deal but I wanted to set up a rig of about 6 bulbs which could all be independently be controlled by my arduino. Im not sure which voltage would be needed but it would be coming from the mains which is 240v.
I envisaged the bulbs all being connected to the mains (like in a lamp) but switched using some hefty transistors which are in turn controlled by the arduino.
Like I said I have no experience with this kind of stuff so feel free to laugh at my ignorance. I hope that gives you a better idea of wht I am trying to accomplish....?
Danny.
....Oh yeah, and no dimmer or anything of the sort is required and and on/ off switch now i think about it would be rather useful.
Danny.
this shield - Arduino Shield List: Seeed Studio Relay Shield - might be helpful or just buy some solid state relays...
rob
hm. yes. the relay idea makes a lot of sense. thanks very much!
Danny.
You need PCB Relays, preferably powered from external supply ,that's it controlling the bulbs isn't a big thing but Dimming is, However in Advance i will tell you about DMX systems or Velleman sort of Dimmer's which accept a vdc of about 0 to 10 VDC and control the Incadescent or other sort of illumination stuff.
If you don't have any experience with wiring to mains, or interfacing to it using a microcontroller - something like this will make it easier (and safer):
