Greetings all,
I'm working on a lighting project and need some input.
I'm looking on doing some mood lighting for my room, controlled by my computer via USB. I found this product that appears to be exactly what I want:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82&products_id=239
It does 32 output PWM controlled over USB. Each output supports 5v @ 500mA. I'm planning on using either ~8000mcd RGB little LEDs (at 20-25mA each) or 3w RGB giant LEDs (at 350mA each.)
The LED wiz comes with a OCX that can be used to control the lights. I'm a software developer during the day, so this type of control would be perfect.
My questions:
1. Which LEDs would you recommend going with? Each channel would support ~20 little LEDs or 1 giant LED + 6 little ones. There will be 10 channels (10 channels * 3 colors = 30 used outputs.) The room is fairly large and I would like the light to be bright enough to color the room when it's dark out and my monitor is on.
2. Will that USB controller do what I'm asking? Is there a better alternative? I'm comfortable soldering and wiring up LEDs, I'm not comfortable programming PICs.
3. Do you think one of the outputs could be used to turn a power supply on and off using a relay? What kind of relay would I need? Would I put a switch on the green wire or the power switch of the PSU?
4. Is ebay an adequate source of these LEDs or would you recommend going elsewhere? I've had good luck with a couple LED purchases on ebay.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advanced.
I'm working on a lighting project and need some input.
I'm looking on doing some mood lighting for my room, controlled by my computer via USB. I found this product that appears to be exactly what I want:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82&products_id=239
It does 32 output PWM controlled over USB. Each output supports 5v @ 500mA. I'm planning on using either ~8000mcd RGB little LEDs (at 20-25mA each) or 3w RGB giant LEDs (at 350mA each.)
The LED wiz comes with a OCX that can be used to control the lights. I'm a software developer during the day, so this type of control would be perfect.
My questions:
1. Which LEDs would you recommend going with? Each channel would support ~20 little LEDs or 1 giant LED + 6 little ones. There will be 10 channels (10 channels * 3 colors = 30 used outputs.) The room is fairly large and I would like the light to be bright enough to color the room when it's dark out and my monitor is on.
2. Will that USB controller do what I'm asking? Is there a better alternative? I'm comfortable soldering and wiring up LEDs, I'm not comfortable programming PICs.
3. Do you think one of the outputs could be used to turn a power supply on and off using a relay? What kind of relay would I need? Would I put a switch on the green wire or the power switch of the PSU?
4. Is ebay an adequate source of these LEDs or would you recommend going elsewhere? I've had good luck with a couple LED purchases on ebay.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advanced.