I'm currently working on a project that involves a 5x5 IR transmitter matrix, with each individual IR transmitter requiring around 50mA of current. This results in a total current requirement of approximately 1.25A for the entire matrix.
Initially, I tried using a parallel connection for all single IR transmitters, which worked fine for providing the required 1.25A current. However, I soon realized that the Arduino can only handle a maximum of 40mA current output, making this solution unsuitable.
To address this issue, I thought of using a 5V 2A AC-DC adapter, which can efficiently handle the current demands of the entire matrix. However, the problem arises with the breadboard I'm currently using for prototyping. The standard breadboard can't handle current greater than 1A, making it unsuitable for my project's requirements.
Unfortunately, I'm not proficient in soldering, which makes custom PCBs a challenging option for me. Moreover, I want to avoid using soldering to simplify the setup and make it easier to manage.
I'm seeking advice and suggestions on how to manage the high current demands of the 5x5 IR transmitter matrix without resorting to custom PCBs or soldering. Additionally, I'm interested in any recommendations for breadboard power supply modules or alternative solutions that can handle the 1.25A current safely.
Your help and guidance in finding a suitable solution would be greatly appreciated.
As you need some kind of transistor anyway to switch that current you can simply use multiple of them (p.e. one per row) to limit the current on a single breadboard contact.
What do you need a IR transmitter with more than 6W power for? Do you really need that output power or is your solution that inefficient?
You can get solid state relays for maybe a buck or two that will work just fine. A card with a N-channel MOSFET is inexpensive but you will probably have to change to a logic level MOSFET.
My project simply involves an array of 25 IR transmitter . I shared them a common ground then connected their positives in parallel with supply . Later I realized that the current required is too large than the Arduino can supply.
Actually I don't know the concept of transistor with much depth.
Each diode has a forward voltage of 1.2V. If you put 5 in series, that equals 6V but the current stays the same at 50mA. So now I put the 5 I have in series, in parallel with 4 more groups of 5. Now the currents add, so its 50mA x 5 = 250mA.
The 120 ohm resistors limit the current from the 12V supply to 50mA for each group of 5
Connect Dn to your Arduino digital pin and GND to GND
@krishna_bansal
Try building just one part of it like this on your breadboard so you can see how it works
If you change the 120 ohm resistors to 62 ohms you can use a 9V battery instead of the 12V supply for testing purposes
You need to turn the 50mA of current on/off but as you already know the arduino can't sink that much current. The transistor acts as a switch. It basically turns the 50mA of current on/off but only needs about 4.5mA from Dn in order to do it.
