Servo controlling potentiometer?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi,

I have a project in mind that, I'll be driving a 220-240V Light bulb with a Joule Thief and it will be connected to a TRIAC dimmer (I hope it is correct though as I haven't really started but hopefully to seek guidance), however from what I've seen the dimmers comes with a potentiometer. Is it possible for a Servo to be controlling the turning of the potentiometer instead of the other way round by using Arduino?

Arduino will be programming how much the servo turns according to the user and this will turn the potentiometer accordingly.

Thank you,
Grounded0V

2

Can't you get the Arduino to directly control the Triac?

Example here in the Arduino Basic Connections book (page 4):

http://pgdev.pighixxx.com/ABC/SET/s2.pdf

3

Is it possible for a Servo to be controlling the turning of the potentiometer instead of the other way round by using Arduino?

Of course it is, and if you're uncomfortable working with mains circuits, it's an approach I'd wholeheartedly recommend.

4

Yes the warning "Avoid Death" springs to mind here.

5

From back in the day, a servo operating a rotary switch.

http://web.comporium.net/~shb/switch.htm

6

You can control a switch:

7

I may be misunderstanding the project. I didn't think Joule thief could power high voltage bulbs (you say driving, not powering, but if you have enough power, why do you need Joule thief). Also, I thought that Joule thief's were low voltage/current devices that have DC output while Triacs (TRIode for Alternating Current) are AC and the bulb mentioned is high(ish) voltage/current.

If you can get enough power from a Joule thief I would reverse engineer a power saving light bulb and control the light output directly from the circuit board.

On the other hand. Yes, Arduino can control a servo that is mechanically connected to a potentiometer, thereby turning the potentiometer.