High output variable voltage

Using Arduino Project Guidance
#1

Hello.

I have a question about a project that I am starting.

What I have 5 meters of led strip (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10260) 14.4V power supply Arduino

What I need I want to let the arduino to set 0-12V (variable voltage) to each R/G/B wire, by using external power supply. Because the whole chain takes 6000 mA @ 12.0V

What I know The PWM ports can only output 0-5V, and 60 mA per channel.

Can anybody direct me to the right direction, which components are best here? Linear Regulators, Shift Register or what.

What is the easiest way?

#2

What I know The PWM ports can only output 0-5V, and 60 mA per channel.

You might want to check this fact. The recommended upper limit is usually 40mA, with 20mA being recommended for long term use.

You can use a transistor to control each leg. Transistors can toggle at PWM speeds, and can control that amount of current.

#3

The PWM ports can only output 0-5V

sp. "The PWM ports can only output 0 or 5V"

#4

Whoops... thanks for the correction.

so a PWM pin set to 50% duty cycle, connected to transistor and external power supply, should give me 50% brightness on led strip ?

How do you hook up an transistor to external power supply?

#5

Solid: How do you hook up an transistor to external power supply?

.... like this

#6

Can these transistors, like BC546, hold up to 2A@12V ?

the datasheet says 100 mA / 500 mW.

Any other solution ?

#7

You'll need to look at the datasheets for various transistors...

#8