Not sure what electronics I need, looking for some advice

Projects General Guidance
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Hi All,

Been doing some more work on my Stargate model and been looking at components to use for Power and Switch and wanted to run this by the forum before I go to purchasing.

So far, for the electrical components, I've got:

  • Power - 4090 USB-C board - BUT, I don't like this one as the board AND the USB-C housing are flush and I want to just expose the USB housing (as pictured below)
  • Switch - SPDT Side Switch - I want to put this on the top of the model to make it easy to access
  • Wires - I've got some basic, small wires (can't link because I'm a new user, 2 max) for 3D printer maintenance, keen to know if these will do.
  • Resistors - I do have some of these when I was playing with lights for a Serenity Ship project, so if resistors are needed, which kind do I need? (I tried to find the ones I have, but I have loads of drawers of stuff so a clean-up is needed! :slight_smile: )

Now I know I need a board still and I'm considering the Arduino Pro Mini (can't link because I'm a new user, 2 max), as I can orient the board as I want within my model and connect the external USB-C power the way I'd like as well. I imagine this board will handle the simple task of running a strip of 15 LEDs with a warm white colour?

To cap it off, I hope that this wasn't a TLDR post as I wanted to check if these components work (before I order them) and then what resources/where should I go to learn how to properly wire this up, as well as add any appropriate resistors, other things I'm not aware of, to ensure safety and not burn out.

I've never properly designed a electronic schematic, don't know if it's needed, but keen to do it if necessary. (I do have a Fusion 360 license)

Photos of current thought process for electronics:

Electronics-Power-and-Switch
Electronics-Power-and-Switch821×694 38.4 KB

Thanks all, I really appreciate the input on the previous post (can't link because I'm a new user, 2 max) and looking forward to learning from the input on this post.

Cheers
Tim

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After reading your post, I somehow get the feeling that you are a new user and can only give 2 links max :grimacing:

The USB-C connector is a good connector that will last. That module is from Adafruit and they select good components.

I had trouble with those switches. If they are bad quality then they last maybe a year. Using contact spray helps for a few weeks, but in the end it was only trouble.
Those switches do not tilt like a seesaw, but they have flimsy sliders which slide along the contacts.

What needs to be powered ? Can you give a link to your model or a short description ?

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kekeke, sorry for the overuse of the notifying about links! I wanted to be very descriptive, but as a rookie here, I have rules!

Happy to provide more context, all I'm trying to do is power on/off a strip of 15 LEDs which will show a Stargate Address in a 3D printed model.

Here's a link to the model: Fusion

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Do you want to do anything other than switch the leds on and off - if not I’d guess you don’t need any processor

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Adafruit also has this USB-C extension cable that might fix the problem?

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Check this long thread for some tips on construction, soldering, wiring and tool ideas.

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Browse the forum, read a few posts and you will go up a notch and be able to do more.

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I found these two on Amazon:

@anon44338819

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Hey @hammy, yeah that's all I need for this first iteration. I did ask a similar question in a different thread and a view was because of the # of LEDs I want (15), I would likely need a board to control it.

@anon44338819, Ahh mate these are looking like just what I am looking for! Thank you!

LarryD, Thanks! That is quite the thread and will need a few cups of coffee to run through... Tomorrow is a public holiday, so it's on my list now.

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