Hi there, here's my first post (of many, I assume) currently, I require any helpful information regarding connection of high powered devices to a 5v USB controller. P.S. I'm a total noob, so please don't reply in tech-speak, if possible.
OK, I have a USB controller board, designed to power 5v LEDs. I'm told that if I want to connect 12v devices or devices that run at more than 500mA, I should link all "+" points (of the devices) to a single 12v supply and not to the USB boards + outputs. "-" outputs are connected to the board to allow communication. This all makes perfect sense to me as I have tried a similar project to this before.
However, I wish to use (for example) 12v 2A solenoids and step motors. Could I connect these up to the board as mentioned above, or would I need to use diodes, relays, etc? -I presume I do?
And, if so, which diodes would I need? 500mA or 2A?
I really don't want to melt my USB board or break my computers USB ports by getting this wrong.
Thank you sooo much in advance.
OK, I have a USB controller board, designed to power 5v LEDs. I'm told that if I want to connect 12v devices or devices that run at more than 500mA, I should link all "+" points (of the devices) to a single 12v supply and not to the USB boards + outputs. "-" outputs are connected to the board to allow communication. This all makes perfect sense to me as I have tried a similar project to this before.
However, I wish to use (for example) 12v 2A solenoids and step motors. Could I connect these up to the board as mentioned above, or would I need to use diodes, relays, etc? -I presume I do?
And, if so, which diodes would I need? 500mA or 2A?
I really don't want to melt my USB board or break my computers USB ports by getting this wrong.
Thank you sooo much in advance.