Question of Using Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver to Drive Large Amount of LEDs

Hi, this is my first post in this forum and I don't know am I in the right categories or not. I'm doing a project of using about 20 - 30 units of Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver to drive a lot of LEDs with PWM features, I'm not so sure that how to add external power source to the Adafruit board, can anyone give me some advice for this? Thank you very much.

(in my setup, I think I could not use the V+ in the Adafruit board, am I correct?)

I'm planning to use the High-Power Dual MOSFET Switch Module like this.

https://protosupplies.com/product/high-power-dual-mosfet-switch-module/

Or can I just do it this simple way?

Instead of so many boards, wouldn't it be easier to use smart LEDs like WS2812B?

Hi, I want to apply each led in every single house unit, and to be controlled by a touchscreen computer, for my case will be harder to use smart LEDs strip... :smiley:

Please explain.
Addressable LEDs seems a much easier solution than a bunch of PCA9685 boards.
Do you know that addressable LEDs are also available in a common 5mm LED package, or on a single-LED star base.
Leo..

This is strange and you really have to explain as @Wawa said. I have a PL9823 and I think in your case they are very convenient to use. By the way, you have a very nice project.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32713415710.html

My scale model is quite difficult to do servicing, if one of the led at the middle of the led got issue then all the LEDs after that led won't function. I prefer doing this way because if some LEDs got issue it won't effect others, I can temporary ignore them... :sweat_smile:

@flashko for open area for example the landscape part, I will still using the ws2812b led strips... :laughing:

There are smart LEDs with a backup data line and even when there is a burned out LED the line does not break. See WS2813 and WS2815 LEDs. For such a large project, WS2815 may be more suitable because they operate at 12 volts and have a smaller voltage drop along the connection line.

OK, moving over the matter of whether WS2812 LEDs are or are not reliable and considering the original proposal,

Why would you think that?

Why would you wish to add a switch module on the 5 V power supply?


That is one serious model. I see it already has lights - how are they presently connected?

I would be interested to know the purpose of the model. Is this for real estate sales? I rather like model railways, but I can't think of a(ny other) purpose for a static model. :grin:

20-30 boards of 16 lights each is 320 to 480 lights. At 5mA each that would be 1.6A to 2.4A of power. Certainly more than you can get from the Arduino 5V regulator. :slight_smile:

You will likely run into I2C problems with that many PCA9685 boards and spread over that area.
Leo..

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