Using a PACLED to control cathode tubes?

[TheShaner]

Is this possible?  I was thinking about getting a second pacled64 to play around with.  It would be really cool to dim and control the on off states of some of my other 12v lights, just not sure if its even doable.  Anyone know?

[PL1]

Can you be more specific on the "other 12v lights" part?

LEDs? 161 bulbs? LV track lighting? Quantities?


Scott

[TheShaner]

The main thing is the cathode tubes.  Any other lights will be LED's.

[drventure]

A PacLED or LEDWiz (or just about any of the LED controllers) can control just about anything you would want to control with them.

The key is to use the PacLED to control a Relay, and have the relay control power to your device.

If it's highspeed switching you need, you might use a triac or a SSR (Solid state relay). I used that technique to control several EL Wire segments as if they were LED's (complete with dimming ability).

I'm guessing a cold cathode is either On or off, and won't do highspeed switching (which is how LED's can dim, they're actually just turned on and off very quickly).

Do a search around here or google for 5vdc relay control. There's lots of example circuits floating around.

[TheShaner]

Good info doc, thanks for the nugget

[Mysterioii]

For 12vdc you might consider just using mosfets.  I'm not sure triacs are appropriate here?  I believe they're mainly for AC voltages, and have some particular switching properties...  "Once triggered, the device continues to conduct until the current drops below a certain threshold, called the holding current."  Basically, depending upon the load, once they're triggered they can stay triggered.  Drventure, you were switching AC for the EL wire right?  Did you run into any issues with the holding current?  Perhaps the wire draws so little current that they were below the holding current and the triacs were allowed to close.

SSRs are fine, especially for AC voltages, but many of them are actually composed of mosfets anyway.  If you just want to control a 12vdc from 5vdc logic then I think a single mosfet would be the way to go, and run less than a buck a piece.

[drventure]

Mysterioii's right. I used triacs because ELWire is powered by 90v AC.

But for switching 12dc, you've got a lot simpler options.

I haven't tried the mosfets. But sounds like that'd definitely be a simple way to go.

From what I understand, relays can switch AC or DC, mosfets can only switch DC. Not a problem in this case, but something to consider.

SSR's are supposed to be very easy to work with too, and are essentially very fast relays.

[AndyWarne]

No, you cant use PWM switching (ie PacLED64) to control inverters for CCFL tubes. You would not get any dimming effect and It might damage the inverter.

The only way you can switch these is on or off, which means using a Pacdrive board rather than PacLED64 if you want to control from a PC.

Andy

[TheShaner]

I thought as much, thanks andy. I think I am going to go for an led strip or two. I really want to have my whole cab pulse, so I am going to have to go all led.

[Nephasth]

I thought as much, thanks andy. I think I am going to go for an led strip or two. I really want to have my whole cab pulse, so I am going to have to go all led.

Can you dim LED strips with a PACLED64 using the previously mentioned methods?

[TheShaner]

I would assume that you could because of the nature of the strip, but thanks for asking Neph!  I am no electrician,so please someone chime in!  I was thinking of doing some LED rope light under the cab for the glow. Pulsing that with the LED marquee, buttons and joysticks would be sick!

[rockyrocket]

Hi, this sort of thing is commonly done with pincabs (LED strips) although usually with a ledwiz but that is not an issue.
As an example check this out...
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?13146-Big-Bang-Pin-46-30-15-6-LED-Widebody-%28custom-artwork-bezel-less-deep-playfield%29/page61&highlight=bang
The same three outputs are controlling both an RGB flipper button x2 and then also a 12v RGB strip, i myself have a matching set up with four 5v button LED`s and a 12V RGB strip all from 3 ledwiz outputs.
Hope this helps.