Project feasibility

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm looking to construct a board that can send power to 5 different outputs/devices for a specified amount of time. Wifi/bluetooth connectivity would be ideal but would obviously be secondary.

Which board should I be looking at to start tinkering around with this project. Would I need something to adjust voltage for the outputs?

Thanks in advance.

2

I don't think you really supplied enough information for most people to give a proper answer.

Knowing what the devices are that you intend the arduino to supply is pretty darn important. I think the Arduino Uno for instance requires about 7 watts of power.

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=53379.0 is another thread which addresses the current capacity for the Arduino Uno. You can probably use this information to figure what your devices require and if the Uno can support it. If not there are simple work arounds to simply supply power to other devices.

3

7 watts? 5V x 0.05mA = 250mW when powered from USB.
Little more if you have 7.5V at the barrel jack for the 5V regulator.

4

Oh yea. Sorry. My brain is a little garbled with information right now. I probably shouldn't have responded.

5

Sorry, I should of been more specific. I'm looking to be able to power 5 different little "motors" if you will, each @ 3w 24vdc. No two will be needing power at the exact same time. Although, curious on the diff calculations needed to figure what the board can handle moving forward.

6

You need external components to switch 24V to motors.
Board can drive lots of control signals - there are 6 PWM outputs if you want easy speed control of each.
6 N-channel MOSFETs like this to control motor connection to Gnd.

See far right hand connection hook up here.

MOSFET_driver_examples.jpg
MOSFET_driver_examples.jpg960×720 56.2 KB

7

Thank you. So the MOSFET is an addition to the board that is deciphering the software I intend to write for this particular application, correct?

It's been a long time since electronic theory for me. That diagram just made me giggle. Thank you.

8

Yes.

9

Okay so after a lot of procrastinating I'm hoping I'll be able to place order with in the next month. I'm still unsure as to what I'm going to be ordering.

The mosfet board doesn't look to be available anymore and it seems as if they've introduced new hardware. Am i missing a link? Again my basic function is to send power to (for lack of better understanding or ability to explain) 5 littlebits dc motors with wifi and possibly bluetooth connectivity.