How to Strobe a High-Voltage Light Using Arduino Portenta?

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1

I’m trying to strobe a light that requires a trigger voltage between 4.5V and 24V. Previously, I was using an Arduino Uno, but now I’m working with an Arduino Portenta, which outputs 3.3V on its GPIOs.

I’m considering using a MOSFET module to drive the light, but I’m not sure if that’s the best approach.

Has anyone done something similar? What module or strategy would you recommend to reliably trigger a light that requires 4.5V–24V from a 3.3V output like the Portenta?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

2

Maybe it will help you (it's just a level shifter).
On the HV side you can apply 5V or more (up to 60V in case of 2N7000).

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Obviously GND is common to both sides.

3

Do you need it pulled high or low to turn it on. If low a low side N-Channel MOSFET would work, if high side then a P-Channel MOSFET would be needed. How much current is required. This could also be done with transistors, even some ICs will do it for you.

4

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to strobe a light using a MOSFET module. My setup is as follows:

  • Arduino Portenta output is 3.3V, but the Light trigger requires at least 5V (trigger works from 4.5 to 24V) for the trigger.
  • The light load is powered by a 24V supply, and the MOSFET module info says it can handle 12–60V on the power side.

The problem:

  • When I connect the power supply and the light to the MOSFET module, the light turns on immediately, even without sending any trigger signal from the Arduino.

Additional info:

  • I was previously using an Arduino Uno (5V logic) to trigger the same Light, and it worked as expected.
  • Now with the Portenta (3.3V logic), it’s not working properly due the voltage.

My questions:

  1. Could the 24V supply be exceeding the diode voltage somehow?
  2. Am I missing something in the wiring that causes the MOSFET to conduct continuously?
  3. Does anyone have strategies to properly trigger a MOSFET module from a 3.3V Portenta, or to safely interface 3.3V logic with a module expecting 5V+ trigger?

Here’s a schematic of my connection:

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Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

5

Since the problem is with the mosfet module, a schematic of the module is necessary!

6

This is the module

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7

Does your other module do the same?

8

I am not using any additional modules. Previously, I was using an Arduino Uno, which outputs 5V. Now I’m trying to use the Portenta because it is the industrial-grade Arduino.

9

Do you think a purebred racehorse can plough the field better than a Belgium Draught.
Leo..

10

I meant for you to use your second mosfet module to see if the first one is bad. Substitution is the next thing to try after ensuring all the voltages are correct.

11

Can anyone help me understand why this is happening? The light is getting triggered without any signal being applied. Why is the light being triggered without any signal?

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12

In the photograph, I don't see the signal pin connected to anything. Just going off the top of my head, two more connections are needed. Here is a good diagram.

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13

thanks a lot for taking the time to help me, so i had made those connections before, although i did them again, what im getting is the light is working continuous, meaning, connecting the all the grounds together, signal pin to the portenta signal, V+ and V- to the load and Vin and GND to the supply, this signal pin even if i connect it to 0V (GND) the light is still working as continuous mode (not strobing), even the module has the pull down resistor for when this pin is in the air, so i dont know if this input voltage is exceeding the reverse diode voltage (i doubt it). im very confused here, as this is kind of a simple circuit

14

Until your wiring looks like the wiring in the picture, I am fairly sure it will work differently.

15

What is the voltage of "sig"?

16

Nothing to do with your fault, but note that these modules contain an IRF520, which is not a logic-level fet. Don't be surprised that these modules work poorly with a 5volt-logic Arduino and not at all with a 3.3volt-logic Arduino (your Portenta cross-post). The sellers that are selling this ancient IRF5xx crap to beginners should be ashamed of them selves.
Leo..

17

To test the MOSFET for a short:
With everything disconnected from the module, connect SIG to GND. Using an ohm meter, connect the red probe to V- and the black probe to GND. The ohm meter should measure an extremely high resistance, call it open.

Swap the leads, black on V- and red on GND. Should measure a low resistance of the body diode being biased.

If you measure a low resistance both ways the MOSFET is bad.

18

OP is planning to use a Potenta, which works with 3.3volt logic,
so testing this module is a waste of time anyway.
OP should look for a module with two SMD mosfets, which seems to work with 3.3V.

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19

Hi, @arincor
With the wiring in post #1 image, and the LED on, measure the voltage between gnd and sig pins of the module.

Thanks.. Tom.... :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

20

What kind of light are we talking about (type, voltage, current, weblink).
Maybe OP has damaged the mosfet with the unspecified supply or load.
It's always good to see the whole picture (and code).
Leo..