volts dimmer?

Thread Starter

ramattos1992

Joined Apr 13, 2011
5
i want to know how to make a device that uses 16vdc and be controlled by a dimmer switch from mains power, but instead of reducing the volts i want to have it turn transistors on or off at different voltage levels. would this require a micro-controller or just caps and resistors? and the output of the transistors would be a 5vdc regulated supply
 

t_n_k

Joined Mar 6, 2009
5,455
Hi ramattos1992,

Your question unfortunately doesn't make a lot of sense - to me anyway. Perhaps you could explain what you are trying to accomplish more clearly.

Keep in mind that the AAC forum is extremely wary of giving advice about any experiments involving the use of AC mains supply voltages by people lacking the necessary skill & experience in that "specialist" area.
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
17,496
Hi ramattos1992,Your question unfortunately doesn't make a lot of sense...
+1 (and welcome to the forum)

I see mains, 16v, 5v, and a dimmer switch. The rest of what you need is a mystery. Some of us are pretty good at mind reading but I think you've stumped us.
 

Thread Starter

ramattos1992

Joined Apr 13, 2011
5
i want to have transistors connected to a 5vdc regulators, and when the mains power is adjusted the transistors will turn on or off. so
100%mains=5 transistors
75%=4
60%=3
25%=2
<25%=1

but i dont know how to control the transistors when the volts change. as simple as caps and resistors? or a micro-controller?
 

beenthere

Joined Apr 20, 2004
15,819
One thing you need to be aware of is that transistors and voltage regulators are DC devices. You must have a step down transformer plus rectifiers and filter capacitors to supply a reasonable level of DC for your circuit (like the 16 VDC you mention above).

However, the circuit is still a mystery. Are you tracking line voltage level? Your initial statement simply can't be understood. Can you provide a more detailed description of what you are interested in doing?
 

Bernard

Joined Aug 7, 2008
5,784
Something to start with: Mains =16V DC, which can vary from 0 to 16V & we wish to know by a 5V signal on 5 outputs when Thr V is at <25%,3.9V, 25% 4V, 60%- 9.6V, 75%- 12V, & 100%- 16V. Use 5 comparators, a V refererance, 5 resistive V dividers &, which will give a "bar graph" type output. Adding some AND gates & inverters to inhibit low order outputs, now have a single output for each of the V levels.
 

Audioguru

Joined Dec 20, 2007
11,248
Why not use an LM3914 bar graph IC that has 10 comparators, a resistor ladder, an adjustable regulated reference voltage and 10 adjustable regulated current LED drivers.
It has a pin to switch from BAR to DOT.
 
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