Hello,
I would like to start with saying that I would not like to use MOSFETs unless it's a must and there is no way out OR if it is really the best option for this!
I like to use the best conventions even if they're little harder.

Okay, so the problem:

Led strip,
150mA per colour (RGB, totals to 400-500,
safe side 400 I think),
PWM signal for effects (fade, etc.),

PWM would be handled through Arduino
I was thinking, can I use or combine this to the circuit?
http://www.next.gr/uploads/46/dc-motor-control-pwm-555.gif
I am quite new, and I just know the basic basics

Electronics I have at hand:
electronics.netlify.com

BR,
Outro

 

It's the great thought.

 

Why not use the Arduino to generate the three PWM signals. You could use one of the counter timer modules to generate the PWM frequency. The start of the timing cycle could switch the LEDs on and you could compare the count with three values (One for each colour) and when the count matched the value it would switch off that colour. I do not know how to write the code to do this in "C" but I think it would be reasonably easy in assembler. (It depends on which you are best at writing code in.) There is no reason why you can't use bipolar transistors to drive the LEDs. (You do not say WHY you want to avoid mosfets.)

Les.

 

Hello,
I would like to start with saying that I would not like to use MOSFETs unless it's a must and there is no way out OR if it is really the best option for this!
I like to use the best conventions even if they're little harder.

Okay, so the problem:

Led strip,
150mA per colour (RGB, totals to 400-500,
safe side 400 I think),
PWM signal for effects (fade, etc.),

PWM would be handled through Arduino
I was thinking, can I use or combine this to the circuit?
http://www.next.gr/uploads/46/dc-motor-control-pwm-555.gif
I am quite new, and I just know the basic basics

Electronics I have at hand:
electronics.netlify.com

BR,
Outro

You can do it with just the 555 circuit. You have to turn the knob in that case to dim them.
Or,
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/SecretsOfArduinoPWM
We can show you how to drive the LEDs after you decide.
Edit:
What Leds do you plan to use? What voltage would you like to use?

 

I would like to start with saying that I would not like to use MOSFETs unless it's a must and there is no way out OR if it is really the best option for this!
I like to use the best conventions even if they're little harder.

What do you have against Mosfets?
Max.

 

You can do it with just the 555 circuit. You have to turn the knob in that case to dim them.
Or,
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/SecretsOfArduinoPWM
We can show you how to drive the LEDs after you decide.
Edit:
What Leds do you plan to use? What voltage would you like to use?

I am planning to use a cheap led strip, RGB with the voltage about 12V.
I did the knob thing (failed a few times in the soldering part and ... well, discontinued it for now)
I quickly scrolled through the article, but it didn't respond my question which I've had but not maybe explained well:
Arduino runs on 5V and led strip is 12V so I will need something in between. A MOSFET would be nice, but I do not have a logic level one. Would a transistor work? Or does it just have to be MOSFET?

What do you have against Mosfets?
Max.

I don't have anything really, I just used a non-logic level MOSFET and it heated up like crazy and I don't have a logic level one(s) in my inventory.


I might order logic level MOSFETs if someone can suggest some & but it will take several weeks to arrive from eBay

Thanks all for you responses

BR,
Outro

 

I am planning to use a cheap led strip, RGB with the voltage about 12V.
I did the knob thing (failed a few times in the soldering part and ... well, discontinued it for now)
I quickly scrolled through the article, but it didn't respond my question which I've had but not maybe explained well:
Arduino runs on 5V and led strip is 12V so I will need something in between. A MOSFET would be nice, but I do not have a logic level one. Would a transistor work? Or does it just have to be MOSFET?



I don't have anything really, I just used a non-logic level MOSFET and it heated up like crazy and I don't have a logic level one(s) in my inventory.


I might order logic level MOSFETs if someone can suggest some & but it will take several weeks to arrive from eBay

Thanks all for you responses

BR,
Outro

Here is a little circuit using a 2n2222. I didn't see a transistor in your list that would work, but the 2N2222 is very common. You might get away with using the 2n7000 FET that you have in place of the transistor.