Hi!
I have a question which I've been unable to find an answer to thus far.
Backstory: I have some LED lights from IKEA, but they're crazy bright. I've build various 555 circuits before and have seen schematics and videos online for using the 555 as a PWM generator to dim LEDs. So far all is easy and good.
Here is my problem: I have 4 lights, 2 power supplies (transformers). The power supplies are rated at 350mA on the output. Looking at the datasheet of the 555, I see that it can sink or source up to 200mA. That's not enough!
I was thinking I could perhaps use a solid state relay. I had trouble finding data on how "fast" these could be (maybe I need help knowing the right specification).
It that a good solution? Is there a better way?
(My other thought was to build four 555 circuits -- one per light, but wasn't sure how having the 555s share a potentiometer (would that work? I'd be very thankful if someone could explain why, either way). I also figured they would not be perfectly in sync, which seemed a problem, since if only one was on, it seems it would get more current that it should.)
I apologize for my lack of knowledge and if this is simple to the people here. I am working hard to learn, but didn't get anywhere with google and forums trying to figure this out.
Thanks you!
I have a question which I've been unable to find an answer to thus far.
Backstory: I have some LED lights from IKEA, but they're crazy bright. I've build various 555 circuits before and have seen schematics and videos online for using the 555 as a PWM generator to dim LEDs. So far all is easy and good.
Here is my problem: I have 4 lights, 2 power supplies (transformers). The power supplies are rated at 350mA on the output. Looking at the datasheet of the 555, I see that it can sink or source up to 200mA. That's not enough!
I was thinking I could perhaps use a solid state relay. I had trouble finding data on how "fast" these could be (maybe I need help knowing the right specification).
It that a good solution? Is there a better way?
(My other thought was to build four 555 circuits -- one per light, but wasn't sure how having the 555s share a potentiometer (would that work? I'd be very thankful if someone could explain why, either way). I also figured they would not be perfectly in sync, which seemed a problem, since if only one was on, it seems it would get more current that it should.)
I apologize for my lack of knowledge and if this is simple to the people here. I am working hard to learn, but didn't get anywhere with google and forums trying to figure this out.
Thanks you!