Bear with me as I am a bare-bones tinkerer and have limited knowledge on advanced programming as well as basic electrical engineering.
I’m also not a very heavy form user on any platform, so I apologize if this is in the wrong category
Hello
I am looking to power device those previously operated by 1.2 V AA battery. It is a string of super low power lights that I would love to plug into my Arduino as my Arduino is already set up with my smart home system. I’m sure it is possible and I have a basic robotics kit that I got the Arduino with. However, I don’t know if I want to put in so much work as to buy a custom transistor or resistor or whatever I need.
I do know that resistor is something that I need potentially? Again, my knowledge is that of a monkey.
You first need to determine how much current your lights need. Do you have a multimeter? After that it can be decided what the best solution is.
I suspect that you have to More than 20 mA drawn by the lights from an output pin can possibly kill the Arduino. The 5V output level of the Arduino will possibly reduce the lifespan of the lights.
Well the AA tells the physical size of the battery and the 1.2 volts would likely be a NIMH chemistry. Assume just one single battery? The unknown is the actual load current and configuration. The load current is a key player in this.
Next how does your Arduino figure into things as in what will the Arduino be doing in some detail. Also which Arduino and what power (voltages and currents) do you have available?
Sounds like a solar-powered light string with a rechargeable NiCD or NiMH battery.
If so, replace the battery if dead, and power the string using a wall adapter with a resistor in series (for starters, try 1K). That will limit the voltage and charging current to a safe, continuous "trickle" value.
More than 20 mA drawn by the lights from an output pin can possibly kill the Arduino. The 5V output level of the Arduino will possibly reduce the lifespan of the lights.