GTFreeFlyer Posted September 20, 2024 Posted September 20, 2024 Hi, looking here for an example schematic to connect all the backlight and switches to a panel with an Arduino Pro Micro. I have a decent knowledge of electronics, but I'm confused how some other controllers I have are running lots of switches and LEDs off of a single USB to the PC (such as the TM Warthog throttle). The green LEDs run at 3.5V and 20 mA a piece, so they cannot be put in series on a 5V USB supply. I also have a A-10 UFC I purchased that has a Pro Micro inside it, and lots of LEDs. I can't see how it is wired up because it has a PCB instead of wiring. So, question really is: I want to build my own panel with a Pro Micro and it will need 15 pins for the switches, and I would like to add about 30 LEDs for the backlighting. Do I just pull all the power off the VCC pin for the LEDs? I'm aware of the 1A limit for USB, and that I really need to keep it less than that. I prefer to not have a separate power source if possible. TIA! My DCS Missions: Band of Buds series | The End of the T-55 Era | Normandy PvP | Host of the Formation Flight Challenge server Supercarrier Reference Kneeboards IRL: Private Pilot, UAS Test Pilot, Aircraft Designer, and... eh hem... DCS Enthusiast
No1sonuk Posted September 21, 2024 Posted September 21, 2024 The first thing to note is 20mA is usually the top end. A lot of LEDs, particularly green ones, will look bright enough with less current. Try some experiments to get the brightness you want with the least current, then go from there. Also, you might want to look into MOSFET drive, rather than hang all those LEDs off an Arduino. And if you go that route, it opens the possibility of a separate supply for the LEDs.
Hempstead Posted September 22, 2024 Posted September 22, 2024 (edited) ON-Semi NSI45020-D, or adjustable version NSI45020JZ-D. Just do a google search, and download the PDF spec. sheet files. Example schematics is inside. Basically, just wire all the LEDS in series with the IC chip. Done. Edited September 22, 2024 by Hempstead
GTFreeFlyer Posted October 14, 2024 Author Posted October 14, 2024 On 9/21/2024 at 11:03 AM, No1sonuk said: The first thing to note is 20mA is usually the top end. A lot of LEDs, particularly green ones, will look bright enough with less current. Try some experiments to get the brightness you want with the least current, then go from there. Also, you might want to look into MOSFET drive, rather than hang all those LEDs off an Arduino. And if you go that route, it opens the possibility of a separate supply for the LEDs. Wish I saw this earlier. However, I ended up using 10 mA for the brightest setting and also using a mosfet to drive them My DCS Missions: Band of Buds series | The End of the T-55 Era | Normandy PvP | Host of the Formation Flight Challenge server Supercarrier Reference Kneeboards IRL: Private Pilot, UAS Test Pilot, Aircraft Designer, and... eh hem... DCS Enthusiast
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