I am new to the Arduino and own an UNO.
I would like to attempt to connect a 12V, 10W LED Floodlight as shown in the link below and make it flash. My question is how to get enough current to drive it. The light itself has a 12V LED driver built-in so I don't think I need to change that part.
Should I use a FET or high power transistor ? I am thinking of using an N-Channel FET and switching the negative side of the LED.
Any other ideas are appreciated.
powertek:
Should I use a FET or high power transistor ? I am thinking of using an N-Channel FET and switching the negative side of the LED.
Yep. If you only wanted to switch it occasionally, a relay would be OK, but to flash, a transistor or FET.
If a transistor, note that you are only allowed 20 mA or so from the Arduino port, so you might need a Darlington pair.
If a FET, note that it must be a "logic level" FET that will switch on fully at 4V.
Thanks Paul,
This is what I came up with. Let me know what you think.
That would work as is, but normally you would have a series resistor (maybe 150R) on the control line to the gate, this limits the small inrush current caused by the gate capacitance.
Also if you are switching 10W make sure the FET is up to the job.
Rob
And a 10k pull-down on the gate to keep it switched off when the Arduino is in reset and has not started the code.
pull-down on the gate
Yep, I forgot that 
Rob
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I have done an update and I believe I have it correct. Take a peek.
Greg
Looks OK. What think ye Mike?
