Hardware newbie project - Wireless exterior LED strip contro

[cootcraig]

Here is an introduction of my first attempt at an Arduino project.

I have installed

260 inches of this 12v LED strip:

http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/ind ... ductId=887

into my front steps.

My estimate of maximum power consumed is 32W as shown here.
Their rating is 24W for a 16.4 foot reel. So my power estimate is

260 in. X (24w / 197in) ~= 32W.

The strip is too bright by itself so I use a PWM dimmer from
LEDWholesalers set about as low as it will go.

What I would like to do is use a JeeNode and LEDnode pair to
make a remote controller for the lights.

Main control: On / Off / Sunset timer

Select sunset timer duration: 2 / 4 / 6 hours

Restart timer momentary switch if in Sunset timer mode.

Brightness control rotary dial

I'm hoping to get some help and encouragement here and to end up
with a sweet controller for our LED step lighting.

[oz]

cootcraig,

It seems like a fairly straight forward process with the LEDnode. Check out the LEDnode docs over at JeeLabs,
and see blog posts beginning at http://jeelabs.org/2011/11/04/a-sketch-for-the-lednode/

One weaker point to JeeNodes is the lack of a really simple hello world example.
This is one I wrote

http://digitalmedia.risd.edu/pbadger/Ph ... SimpleSend

It shouldn't be too hard to integrate the radio into the JeeLabs sketch.

Good luck on your project and let us know when you get it working

Paul

[cootcraig]

cootcraig,
It seems like a fairly straight forward process with the LEDnode. Check out the LEDnode docs over at JeeLabs,
and see blog posts beginning at http://jeelabs.org/2011/11/04/a-sketch-for-the-lednode/
Paul

Great. Is the 32W load of the undimmed LED strip within the safe power limit of the LEDnode?

[cootcraig]

cootcraig,

It seems like a fairly straight forward process with the LEDnode. Check out the LEDnode docs over at JeeLabs,
and see blog posts beginning at http://jeelabs.org/2011/11/04/a-sketch-for-the-lednode/

Paul

Yes, I'm excited to try this out. My calculation is that the undimmed power requirement is 32W. The
LEDnode states:

For extra long, single colour strips, the MOSFET outputs can safely wire in parallel.

Very Good.

The current jury rigged system has a 12v regulated supply and the LEDnode entry says

The LED Node takes its logic power from the required heavy duty supply (typically +12V regulated) which is passed on to the LED anodes.

This looks just what I want.

[oz]

Craig,

Sorry about the slow response, I'm going to install a mod to the board that sends me email when a post is waiting in the moderation queue. Why it wasn't built in is completely mysterious to me - seems like a no-brainer. In any case, your further posts shouldn't hit the moderation queue.

Is the 32W load of the undimmed LED strip within the safe power limit of the LEDnode?

This should be fine, remember that the LED node has three mosfets so that each one will only by switching around an amp of power (using your 32W / 12V figures) so they shouldn't get much more than warm. However your current draw seems really low for what those strips usually draw. Maybe that supplier is just running the LEDs a little cooler (less current) than others I've seen.

Good luck with the project,

Paul