Basically i have a few LED boards that I made (16x10mmLEDs) which are running off a power supply salvaged from a Casio keyboard (9v DC @ 850mA). They shine quite bright plugged directly into the wall. I've also plugged the LED boards directly into the arduino and came up with a nice light show, however, a) i didn't know that was hazardous to my arduino, b) i want the lights to get really bright and the arduino can't make them do that (or at least it's beyond me... which isn't very far). So i was just wondering what I need to research in order to get this project going. I was thinking I would probably have to make some sort of transistor switch or use some sort of relay, both of which I have very little understanding. Well, no understanding of relays, and minimal with transistors... something about using a small current to switch/control a large one.(made a flip-flop once as well). Links, schematics, tutorials are all appreciated. Also, please try to be detailed yet simple, i know about electronics but i don't understand them very well at all.
Could you draw just a simple schematic of how things are hooked up now ?