LED Array into Digital I/O Question

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

I will be using the Atmel ATmega168 Arduino Board for a project involving 10 sets of 50 LEDs in series. I plan to output to each array through a single Digital I/O and then send the other end of the array to a breadboard, and then to GND. Can the Arduino Board handle this? When using this calculator should I design each array to use 5.5V Source voltage? According to the specs of the LEDs I will be using, they have a 3.15 Forward Voltage and 30 Diode Forward Current, 50 LEDs in each array.

Thanks!

2

This is the link to the LED Array Calculator:

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

3

So just groups of 50 leds going on and off?

Use a transistor and have all the leds in parallel.
That way the transistor handles the load of the leds.

You do realise how much power you'll need right?
My calculator says 10 Amps with all of them on at once. :wink: