Hi, I am interested in controlling some peripheral devices using the arduino. However they require more power than the arduino is meant to operate with.
I am new to this and am hoping that this is possible. Can I just hook a power source up inline (wouldn’t that end up still over powering the device). Is there a device I need to purchase to handle higher power levels (I’m thinking over nine thousand :roll: ). The other thing I thought was having an AND gate can I get just an an gate.
I’m sorry for the n00b questions I’m just kinda dumb with physical electronics.
We need more information on exactly what you are wanting to power. I’ll guess that you have devices that operate at higher voltage and current than the arduino’s Vdd and its output pin current. Do not try the increase the voltage to the arduino.
If you are wanting to switch a device that operates at a higher voltage and/or current then the simplest is a NPN transistor switch. Another is the arduino drives a small relay that switches a larger load.
Search these forums and google for:
relay
NPN switch
PNP switch
These are not that hard to use with a little study and experimentation.
The Arduino recommends 7-12V on the Vin line (or powering over USB), each pin can source (or drain) 40mA. If you need more power than that you will have to use something else. Waltr has some good suggestions and I would recommend checking those out, we have some products such as our motor driver board that allow you to use an external power source for a specific purpose. You might also want to check out the power driver shield.