I did some/a lot of google research and found much information but my ignorance level is over 9000 and that is why I am here starting a new topic.
Here it is the datasheet for a MW HLG driver. As you can see there are 2 leads for dimming and 3 options to do that.
It accepts 10v PWM but arduino ouputs a 5v signal.
Since I am a noob I like to use pre made shields, the PCA9685 module should let me control several drivers and put everything together with a relays module to create a power strip.
I found many options but I would like to ask you to help me understand feasible and easy solutions for a noob like me.
what if I take the 220v AC and split it to use 2 different AC-DC converters: one to get 5v for arduino and the second one to get 10v for PWM?
...put everything together with a relays module to create a power strip.
You can't dim/PWM a relay and with the Mean Well you don't need a relay.
what if I take the 220v AC and split it to use 2 different AC-DC converters: one to get 5v for arduino and the second one to get 10v for PWM?]
The Arduino has an on-board 5V regulator. So typically, you'd use a ~10V power supply. Then, you just add a transistor, connected to 10V, to "boost" the Arduino's 5V PWM.
DVDdoug:
You can't dim/PWM a relay and with the Mean Well you don't need a relay.
The Arduino has an on-board 5V regulator. So typically, you'd use a ~10V power supply. Then, you just add a transistor, connected to 10V, to "boost" the Arduino's 5V PWM.
I don't want to control relays through a pwm signal. I just want to create a power strip to switch on/off the drivers (ac side) with relays, nothing strange.
Then I would like to have additional slots to attach the dim leads to dim the lights through 10v pwm.
Anyway Thx for your replay. May I ask you to explain a bit more?
I can use a 10v power supply and the voltage regulator inside the board will adapt it to 5v?
I don't have to use 2 different AC-DC, am I right?
Are you suggesting to use a transistor like a 2n3904 to control external 10v and arduino pwm signal on Base pin?
How many pwm pins do the Uno R3 has? 6?
Can I individually control 6 different drivers this way? Or is the pwm signal limited by something?
Wawa:
Most opto couplers will probably work. Try the common PC817.
Use a low frequency if you want a large dimming range.
I leave it on the default 200Hz of the PCA9685 for my LED lighting.
DIM must provide some voltage, otherwise dimming with a pot (see datasheet) would not work.
Leo..
I am using a 100k potentiometer to manually dim the light at the moment that is why I thought there has to be a Voltage across the leads.
I already thought about the PCA9685, it does come as a shield and would let me control more drivers easily but I red so many posts about this that I am lost lol.
I should just order and try by my own. My question has been asked several times with different solutions.