i have a project in which i drive many leds using the 595s and arduino... each lead has its limiter resistor (220ohm)...
but i've read that the 595 is not able (for its current limitation) to drive more than 4 leds.... is there a way to interpose a 'driver' between 8 leds and each 595 that makes me bypass the current limitation ?
Consider that the project would drive several sets of 595+8leds each, and that i have a separate board for each 595+8leds set.
I'm already using ULN2803 to also drive relays in the same project; can the ULN be used with leds too ?
Or use a shift register that can sink (connects to cathode side of LEDs) high current amounts, up to 150mA continuously from each output - TPIC6B595.
Operates just like 74HC595.
Shift in a 1 to make an output go low, just as if you had 74HC595 and ULN2803.
I haven't yet seen CrossRoads wrong, even when I can't understand his technical "gibberish" which I have to spend hours researching numbers and cross referencing information from one source to another, merely to come up with a picture of what he was explaining LOL. You can always take it on faith with his expertise …
And that being said Max7219 drives a lot of LED's, and easy to use, even for someone like me.
Crossroads idea of using a TPIC6B595 is very interesting.. but i don't think i'll be lucky enough that it would be pin-compatible with 74HC595, right ?
I already have some boards done (a few ones)... i'll eventually re-design them with either TPIC6B595 ora 595+ULN (preferring the first one for reduced IC number).
