Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

[StodgyWaif]

Hello Everyone.

There seems to be many very knowledgeable people on this forum so I thought it might be a good place to present these questions. I have searched around this forum and the web but I have not found relevant information. My ignorance of electronics and electrical circuits is most likely at fault.

My Goal:

To light the floor boards of my vehicle using Diffused, Dim-able, RGB LED's and to incorporate a controller that allows me to adjust the color and brightness of all of the LED lights together.

What I've Found:

12v Controller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-Knob-C...item233b067be0

3.2v RGB LED's:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-1000-PCS-...item43cb117d26

My Ignorance:

Can these 2 components be made to work together?
What additional parts will be required (besides wiring)
Is there a better solution?
Am I missing something?
Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[diif]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

That controller looks like it's designed for this kind of LED strip not individual LEDs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-IC6803-Dr...item43bd8fadeb

[redwire]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

I would say your combination will not work. There are at least three different RGB LED styles out there.

1. Raw RGB LED, each LED requires 3 additional dropping resistors to run off 12V. It's a lot to wire up.
2. LED strips with the resistors built in, these have a 12V rating and LED's in 3528 or 5050 size. These can come with a PWM controller/IR remote control receiver box i.e.ebay SMD-5050-RGB LED-Strip and Remote
3. LED strips with the PWM controller and resistors built into each LED. These need a central controller.

That RGB controller outputs 12V PWM, which would work with option 1 or 2.

Option 1 or 2, the limitation is the entire strip lights up the same colour. No waves or fancy patterns.
Option 3 each LED can have a unique colour (addressable), but it's more expensive.

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

http://www.dx.com/s/led%2bcontroller?category=1301

[StodgyWaif]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

Thanks so much for the info guys.

I like the idea of the knobs and being able to set the exact color and brightness/intensity of all the LED's together.

I'd really not looking for any motion effects, etc. as that would probably be distracting.

I've put lights in the floorboard of pretty much every vehicle I've owned and I thought why not do this in more of a 21st Century way?

Here is some helpful info that I just found if anyone is interested:
http://www.flexfireleds.com/pages/Co...5050-LEDs.html

Thanks again for the input!

EDIT:
Another related question. The voltage output in a vehicle can range from ~ 9-15 volts, correct? The RGB controller I posted says it's rated for "Supply voltage: DC12V-24V".
Are the LED's able to deal with more than 12V or does the controller limit the output?

I guess what I'm asking is, do I need some kind of regulator or can I connect this directly to my vehicle's illumination circuit?

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

the controllers dont limit the output.

this is for a car, one question: do you want it pulsing / changing to music?

[StodgyWaif]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

the controllers dont limit the output.

this is for a car, one question: do you want it pulsing / changing to music?

Thanks for replying stj.

No, I'm just looking for colored ambient lighting. No special effects of any kind.

I do have a power inverter that I can use instead of connecting this to the car's 12v.

I would rather use the car's illumination circuit if possible though.

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

then i'd go for one of these two:

this is a simple 3 channel led unit with a colour-wheel type selector that just lights the leds.
http://www.dx.com/p/144w-mini-touch-...troller-224513


this uses buttons and can do tricks like slow fades.
http://www.dx.com/p/jrled-led-contro...-12-24v-323663
i think this one is IR so you may have to put a sensor someplace near the remote.
it does have the advantage that it can fade between colours slowly!

now as for the leds, anything will work as long as it's rigged for 12v.
so if your buying raw leds you need to put resistors on them.
but i'd recommend using an led strip because you just cut them into lengths and solder/clip 4 wires onto each section.
they have tape on the back and they are almost flat.

[StodgyWaif]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

Thank you so much for all of the info.

I didn't realize how many options there were out there!

Maybe I'll just try to get some sort of package deal.

All of these parts seem relatively inexpensive so I don't mind experimenting a little bit.

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

it's going to be cheaper to buy the controller & a reel of leds from DX seperatly than to get screwed by a "package" from some other seller.

for leds i recomend 5050 rgb leds on a waterproof strip btw.
the waterproof sleeving will act as a defuser and spread the light, it will also protect it from getting kicked or anything.

you can also put some under your sils as running lights

edit:
new plan:
here is the second controller complete with 5m of waterproof strip!!
http://www.dx.com/p/rgb-300x5050-smd...r-dc-12v-41522

so if you get that, and this:
http://www.dx.com/p/144w-mini-touch-...troller-224513

for a total of about $30 inc shipping, you have it all.
and you probably wont use all 5m on one car.
so you can use the leftover strip on the second controller.

[StodgyWaif]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

Thanks for the input stj

I'm in no hurry to complete this project so it may be a couple weeks but I will try to report back with my results once I've gotten everything installed.


EDIT:

I'm still not completely clear if this will work properly if I connect it directly to my 12v illumination circuit. I haven't tested the voltage yet but I know the voltage of the 12v power outlet is nearly 15v.

Would it be a good idea to put a resistor in front of the controller to keep the voltage down?

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

it shouldnt be more than 13.5v unless your alternator is bad afaik.

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

It could be as high as 14.80 volts and still be ok for a car alternator
If the controller max voltage is 12 volts then use a voltage regulator chip
I hope this helps

[redwire]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

I think the RGB controllers are spec'd with a general range, i.e "12V" or "12-24VDC" input power. The MCU inside usually needs 5V. I took apart my RGB controller and inside is a 7805 voltage regulator - which means it could run off 8-35VDC input. The LED strips, however are 12V and 15V would give the LED's roughly 20% more current. You can see they use 150 and 330 ohm resistors.

[stj]

Re: Dimmible RGB LED's with Controller Project

exactly, you need to drop the current on the led return line, but it could be over 50w!!!