Hello there =),
I have a question regarding the blue cheap chinese "pro mini" board, unlike the black version (BAITE) that I have used to develop the code (3 modes dimmer with + photoresistor) I have a problem with it - it runs fine on 12V but as soon as I have to output PWM (or even digital) to a mosfet transistor --> the light controled by the transistor becomes very faint (it fades as it is supposed to ... but faintly).
When I power the pro mini with my UNO it dims the lights properly - but 12V 1A is a no-go apparently with this cheapie. I tried adding a 22Oohms resistor to lower the voltage and amps a bit - nope still a fail.
Does anyone have a solution to this? I'd really like the pro mini to leech it's power from it's host (two power supplies for a 9W led spot .... messy and overkill)
PS: grounds are tied together, and no I can't use the black one anymore ... fried it by accident with a lose wire.
What type number MOSFET are you using? Is it a 'logic level' device?
Thank you for the answer - It's an IRF520s just like the ones provided with the arduino starter kit - so no, not a logic level device.
Ordered a few IRF530s, since they output more - you never know :S
The setup:
Neither of those choices are 'logic level' mosfets where +5vdc applied to the gate will fully turn the device on to minimum Ron voltage. Recommend you find a mosfet that's datasheet shows it being a logic level device.
Do you have one in mind that wouldn't cost an arm and a liver per unit? I'm still a newbie* =)
It won't impede on PWM right? (I can still fade my LEDs?)
*translation: I DO fry quite a lot of transistors... The one on the picture has already been replaced twice ... Because I'm too careless and often "toy around" when I'm dead tired... sucking at electronics won't stop me from trying though x)
Tell us where you are located and maybe someone can point you to a local source. Device type depends on how high a voltage and what maximum current you need to deal with. If mail order is cool with you and you are located in US, this one is useful.
France, we don't have electronics supply stores here sadly x) (except maybe in Paris or Marseille).
Sparkfun is all over the interwebs but I'm not sure if I can order there from France (i'm used to being given the middle finger by US online stores), plus there would be pretty significant shipping fees from the US - usually i'd rather buy a component from an european ebay seller (for prototyping) and then order a dozen more from china right away (1/5th to 1/10th the price for the exact same thing).
The transistor's true name is FQP30N06L right? I can't find it in europe on ebay tho .. (china is another story tho x) )
Is there a specific "family name" (just like IF5XXN) of 5V logic transistors that I can look up? Saw "IRL520" earlier while browsing which is supposed to be like a weaker logic variant that is triggered by 10V (therefore useless, and unavailable too while we're at it).
I wonder if I shouldn't just wait a lil' over a month since well ... I have ordered 10 of the black BAITE pro minis that I know to be working flawlessly on 12V yesterday from china (seriously if you want to go with cheapies these ones kick some serious ass quality-wise, plus: blue PIN13 LED o_o)
