Hi all,
I am looking for recommendations for an LED driver. I'm trying to create a dimmable, single, high-intensity led setup for use in lanterns. I would like to control the dimmer using a microcontroller, which I assume means the driver needs a PWM input. I have been playing around with an arduino, and have a nice flicker effect using PWM, so I would like to be able to replicate it with a nice cheap microcontroller. I have a bunch of old lanterns that I want to retrofit, so cost is a concern.
I am new to electronics in general, which is why I'm trying to find something somewhat ready-made. I don't mind wiring multiple parts together, but I'd rather not be constructing things from scratch / ordering custom parts. I've been lurking on these forums looking for insight, but mostly feel like I'm spinning my wheels.
I want to use a microcontroller so I can:
1. Create fluctuations in the light, like a candle
2. Control the overall brightness, so the fluctuations will occur around a set brightness.
Required:
Preferred:
I truly appreciate your expert advice, I'm happy to do my research, I just need help getting pointed in the right direction!
Thanks!
I am looking for recommendations for an LED driver. I'm trying to create a dimmable, single, high-intensity led setup for use in lanterns. I would like to control the dimmer using a microcontroller, which I assume means the driver needs a PWM input. I have been playing around with an arduino, and have a nice flicker effect using PWM, so I would like to be able to replicate it with a nice cheap microcontroller. I have a bunch of old lanterns that I want to retrofit, so cost is a concern.
I am new to electronics in general, which is why I'm trying to find something somewhat ready-made. I don't mind wiring multiple parts together, but I'd rather not be constructing things from scratch / ordering custom parts. I've been lurking on these forums looking for insight, but mostly feel like I'm spinning my wheels.
I want to use a microcontroller so I can:
1. Create fluctuations in the light, like a candle
2. Control the overall brightness, so the fluctuations will occur around a set brightness.
Required:
- Microcontroller built in OR the ability to dim using an external microcontroller. I want to be able to control the overall brightness with a potentiometer, and have the circuit control the flickering around that set intensity.
Preferred:
- Run off a single AA battery
- If it has a built in boost, great, but I am happy to add a boost circuit in. I could also go Li-ion. It seems like most of the drivers I have found that are dimmable require at least 5v. It hasn't been clear to me if any of them take PWM input, so I can't get the flickering effect.
- Small
- Ideally this will be in a compact format so I just pop it into a lantern in place of a candle / oil reservoir.
- Cheap
- Something under 10 bucks. I want to make a number of these to update a collection of lanterns. I realize I might have to buy a cheap IC to do the PWM separately. I suppose if the controller is integrate I can go higher, but I would like it to be fully programmable.
I truly appreciate your expert advice, I'm happy to do my research, I just need help getting pointed in the right direction!
Thanks!