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Dimming a 9v DC lamp [newbie] — Parallax Forums

Dimming a 9v DC lamp [newbie]

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-07-27 01:34 in General Discussion
Any ideas for how I can dim and brighten a 9v DC lamp (actually a
strip of CoolNeon)?

It requires too much power for the Stamp to drive, so I have a
separate power source.

I'd rather not buy another pre-built dimming device to control it...
if there is a smart way to do it with off-the-shelf components that
I can string together, that'd be best.

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 22:17
    Dimming a 9V lamp is easy, but CoolNeon requires an electronic "driver"
    module, according to their website. Do you know what kind of
    voltage/current is required? ...Steady or pulsing, etc.?

    Do you need variable dimming, or could you settle for a couple discrete
    steps, like on/dim/off? (The latter would be easier/cheaper.)

    Randy

    www.glitchbuster.com



    > Any ideas for how I can dim and brighten a 9v DC lamp (actually a
    > strip of CoolNeon)?
    >
    > It requires too much power for the Stamp to drive, so I have a
    > separate power source.
    >
    > I'd rather not buy another pre-built dimming device to control it...
    > if there is a smart way to do it with off-the-shelf components that
    > I can string together, that'd be best.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-27 01:34
    I've already got the driver for CoolNeon, so my main trouble is
    varying the voltage into it.

    A series of steps like you say (the more the merrier) would be a
    good trade off. If you know a way....

    - David


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Jones" <randyjones@w...>
    wrote:
    > Dimming a 9V lamp is easy, but CoolNeon requires an
    electronic "driver"
    > module, according to their website. Do you know what kind of
    > voltage/current is required? ...Steady or pulsing, etc.?
    >
    > Do you need variable dimming, or could you settle for a couple
    discrete
    > steps, like on/dim/off? (The latter would be easier/cheaper.)
    >
    > Randy
    >
    > www.glitchbuster.com
    >
    >
    >
    > > Any ideas for how I can dim and brighten a 9v DC lamp (actually a
    > > strip of CoolNeon)?
    > >
    > > It requires too much power for the Stamp to drive, so I have a
    > > separate power source.
    > >
    > > I'd rather not buy another pre-built dimming device to control
    it...
    > > if there is a smart way to do it with off-the-shelf components
    that
    > > I can string together, that'd be best.
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