Hi all. I am a complete newbie to electronics and Arduino. I would like to build and programmable controller that can dim and brighten fluorescent lamps over time. The lamps run off electronic ballasts. The dimming is controlled by supplying the ballast with 0 to 10 volt analog signal once it is running.
When the light switches on (either via an external timer or preferably from the controller) the controller must supply the ballast with 2v and then over a programmed time period slowly increase the voltage to 10v. The signal voltage should remain at 10v for a programmed time period, then slowly go back down to 2v over a programmed time period. The timer should then switch off the 220 volts supply.
it should look something like this once installed in the light unit
Can this be done using the Arduino system and if so where do i begin?
Thanks.
Hi,
You certainly can do this...
You can start with 12V from a wall wart, and have the Arduino Analog Out (Pulse width modulation) switch it. Follow it with an R and Capacitor filter and you can get 0-12V.
Or this: Arduino Playground - RegulatedPositiveVoltageBooster if you want to run all on 5 volts..
The control and timing stuff is similar to lots of other projects you'll find in a search...
The 220V control may be best done with a relay like one of these: http://?.ws/220Vrelays
DISCLAIMER: I mentioned stuff from my own Shop...
Hi there Terry, thanks for the reply. As far as i know i cannot use PWM. the 0-10V has to analog, unless the PWM controls whatever supplies the the 0-10V.
can i get a simple variable 0-10v output from the Arduino?
PWM, a transistor, two resistors, and a capacitor will make a rudimentary DAC. Alternatively, you can buy an SPI/I2C digital potentiometer instead.
Once the PWM output is smoothed with a capacitor / filter, the voltage is the same as any other DC source.. You don't need really fast response, so no problem...
