This circuit (http://i.imgur.com/Of5AqDP.png) should work if the Arduino pin goes HIGH, or outputs a PWM signal?
I am knew to electronics and wanted to know if I am using the right components for this build.
Which circuit are you actually using, the graph one or the breadboard one? In the graph paper one, it looks like you have the negative terminal of the battery connected to the VIN and positive to GND?? And usually the outside pins are collector and emitter and the middle pin is the base pin (the one you push a current through to activate the transistor).
All you have to do is pull the digital output pin HIGH and current will flow into the transistor base pin and connect the circuit between the collector and emitter. Usually you would have a resistor there to to limit the current into the base pin
What MOS fet are you using?
Review: http://learn.adafruit.com/downloads/pdf/all-about-leds.pdf
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transistor/tran_7.html
bloons3:
This circuit (Test Transistor.fzz - Fritzing - [Schematic View] - Imgur) should work if the Arduino pin goes HIGH, or outputs a PWM signal?I am knew to electronics and wanted to know if I am using the right components for this build.
Test Transistor.fzz - Fritzing - [Schematic View] - Imgur
Test Transistor.fzz - Fritzing - [Breadboard View] - Imgur
![Test Transistor.fzz - Fritzing - [Breadboard View] - Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/3RT6LQg.png){kind=link}
Circuit is wrong, it shows a source-follower configuration (once you get your head
around the bad diagram - always have supply at the top, ground at the bottom,
current flow vertical, signal flow left->right if possible.)
You need a common-source circuit to switch (or with BJTs a common-emitter circuit),
which means for n-channel MOSFETs the source is GND, drain to load, gate to Arduino
via a current-limiting resistor (220 ohms as shown above is fine). Most people add a 10k
resistor from gate to source to ensure MOSFET is off at reset time.
You MUST use a logic-level MOSFET. If you don't know how to select a logic level
MOSFET then search these forums, there are upteen posts about this.