So I've read through a couple of sites and they all recommend a 12V 2A power supply. (DC Input)
My power supply is a 12V 5A power supply though. (DC Input as well)
I want to use it with this project Usage | RGB LED Strips | Adafruit Learning System.
So can I plug in the DC power supply with 12V and 5 amps in the arduino uno?
Or would I have to plug it in the breadboard for the leds and then use USB to supply power to the arduino?
I know that's probably question but I've just started with this and I don't want to freight it right away.
Thanks!
Ugh. Even Adafruit uses F**ing breadboard diagrams.
First of all, the breadboard is just for testing. Run one or ten LED's off that. But you're suggesting that you might run 2-5 Amps through the breadboard? Not a good idea. That will melt the breadboard. Not to mention the safety issue of large currents on unsecured wires.
How many LEDs? How much current do they consume? Get a power supply with at least this much current, twice as much is a good number.
You can run the Arduino off the same 12V supply but then you can't have anything else running on the Arduino's 5V pin. No LCDs with backlights or other LEDs.
You have a fundamental ignorance of how current works.
Having a power supply with a higher available current than needed does not push more current into your devices. Devices pull what they need and only what they need.
INTP:
You have a fundamental ignorance of how current works.
Having a power supply with a higher available current than needed does not push more current into your devices. Devices pull what they need and only what they need.
I know that but if for example my leds pull too much current, couldn't the wire melt or something like that? (Or if the power supply is plugged directly into the Arduino, couldn't it be damaged?)
MorganS:
Ugh. Even Adafruit uses F**ing breadboard diagrams.First of all, the breadboard is just for testing. Run one or ten LED's off that. But you're suggesting that you might run 2-5 Amps through the breadboard? Not a good idea. That will melt the breadboard. Not to mention the safety issue of large currents on unsecured wires.
How many LEDs? How much current do they consume? Get a power supply with at least this much current, twice as much is a good number.
You can run the Arduino off the same 12V supply but then you can't have anything else running on the Arduino's 5V pin. No LCDs with backlights or other LEDs.
Thank you, that was exactly the answer I was looking you for.
@MorganS, yeah, Adafruit isn't what it used to be... Saw some pretty ugly Adafruit libraries lately as well...
JulianJES:
I know that but if for example my leds pull too much current, couldn't the wire melt or something like that?
Yep, that's why MorganS told you a breadboard and high currents don't work. Same as little wires. It's your task to use materials that can withstand the currents the leds can pull. The power supply current has nothing to do with it. That just tells you the max current you can pull out of the supply without damaging it.
JulianJES:
(Or if the power supply is plugged directly into the Arduino, couldn't it be damaged?)
If you try to pull significant current through the Arduino you may indeed damage the PCB. Same as the breadboard, not designed for it.