Sparkfun PicoBuck

grabcad

The PicoBuck LED Driver is an affordable and user-friendly driver that lets you control and blend three distinct LEDs on separate channels with ease. By default, each channel delivers 330mA of current; this can be reduced by presenting either an analog voltage or a PWM signal to the board. Version 12 of the board introduces a solderable jumper that enables users to increase the maximum current to 660mA. The upgraded voltage regulator also boosts the voltage rating on the various components on the board, allowing it to be used at its full 36V rating. Three control inputs are available for dimming purposes. Users can utilize the PWM signal from an Arduino or their preferred microcontroller to individually adjust each channel's brightness, or connect them all to a single PWM for synchronized dimming. Dimming can be achieved through analog voltage (20%-100% of maximum current by adjusting the voltage between .5V and 2.5V) or PWM (as long as the minimum PWM voltage is less than .4V and the maximum PWM voltage exceeds 2.4V), resulting in a full 0-100% brightness range. Each channel features a small jumper that allows users to increase the drive strength from 330mA to 660mA. Two mounting holes, compatible with 4-40 or M3 screws, are provided on either side of the board for secure attachment. These holes are designed to be easily removable using pliers if a smaller footprint is desired.