Using TLC5940 to driver Meanwell ELN-60-48P PWM input?

jbfloor · 06/27/2013, 11:11 AM

I am using an Arduino Mega 2560 with the Seeed Studios TFT touch screen and am thinking of building a LED controller to control my 8 Mean well drivers.

The Touch screen screen uses most of the PWM outputs of the Arduino board for its databits, so I don't have those ports available to drive the PWM inputs for the Mean Well drivers. I like to use the Tft Touchscreen for UI, so I am looking for another way to extend the number of PWM outputs.

The TLC5940 seems a good candidate, but it is a constant current output and meant as a direct LED driver. I am wondering if it is possible and safe to use it as the PWM input for the Meanwell ELN-60-48P? Or is there another solution I can try?

nemosworld · 07/02/2013, 02:59 PM

I think the Mean well LDD drivers would work better with this.
http://www.meanwell.com/search/LDD-H/LDD-H-spec.pdf

moncapitane · 07/08/2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbfloor

I am using an Arduino Mega 2560 with the Seeed Studios TFT touch screen and am thinking of building a LED controller to control my 8 Mean well drivers.

The Touch screen screen uses most of the PWM outputs of the Arduino board for its databits, so I don't have those ports available to drive the PWM inputs for the Mean Well drivers. I like to use the Tft Touchscreen for UI, so I am looking for another way to extend the number of PWM outputs.

The TLC5940 seems a good candidate, but it is a constant current output and meant as a direct LED driver. I am wondering if it is possible and safe to use it as the PWM input for the Meanwell ELN-60-48P? Or is there another solution I can try?

You know, on that TFT touch screen, you should be able to change the pins that you plug into if you aren't using a shield and just make sure you update your code which then should free up all of the PWM pins.

jbfloor · 07/08/2013, 08:19 PM

@nemosworld
I already have the six dimmable drivers, so I want to use those.

@mocapitane
Unfortunately I am using the shield, so I'd have to either use the original pins or change the shield.. I noticed that this TFT is very slow to update, so may try to find a different one that uses I2C or serial for its communication mechanism.

I did a quick test with the TLC5940, but could not get it to drive a LED directly. I am probably hooking it up wrong. I have a feeling I should be able to get my Meanwells to work as long as I keep the output current from the TLC low enough (20-60mA for example) I could measure the impedance of the PWM input of the Meanwell and calculate the current so that the voltage will be at 10V max.

06/27/2013, 11:11 AM	#1
jbfloor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 250	Using TLC5940 to driver Meanwell ELN-60-48P PWM input? I am using an Arduino Mega 2560 with the Seeed Studios TFT touch screen and am thinking of building a LED controller to control my 8 Mean well drivers. The Touch screen screen uses most of the PWM outputs of the Arduino board for its databits, so I don't have those ports available to drive the PWM inputs for the Mean Well drivers. I like to use the Tft Touchscreen for UI, so I am looking for another way to extend the number of PWM outputs. The TLC5940 seems a good candidate, but it is a constant current output and meant as a direct LED driver. I am wondering if it is possible and safe to use it as the PWM input for the Meanwell ELN-60-48P? Or is there another solution I can try? __________________ 72"x24"x21" 155g DSA all glass tank, 35g sump, Reef Octopus POV DC1 Skimmer DIY Lighting with 96x CREE XP-G-R5 and XT-E, UV, Orange/Red and Green LED.

07/02/2013, 02:59 PM	#2
nemosworld Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,411	I think the Mean well LDD drivers would work better with this. http://www.meanwell.com/search/LDD-H/LDD-H-spec.pdf __________________ Felix Nice to meet you! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Cube

07/08/2013, 08:19 PM	#4
jbfloor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 250	@nemosworld I already have the six dimmable drivers, so I want to use those. @mocapitane Unfortunately I am using the shield, so I'd have to either use the original pins or change the shield.. I noticed that this TFT is very slow to update, so may try to find a different one that uses I2C or serial for its communication mechanism. I did a quick test with the TLC5940, but could not get it to drive a LED directly. I am probably hooking it up wrong. I have a feeling I should be able to get my Meanwells to work as long as I keep the output current from the TLC low enough (20-60mA for example) I could measure the impedance of the PWM input of the Meanwell and calculate the current so that the voltage will be at 10V max. __________________ 72"x24"x21" 155g DSA all glass tank, 35g sump, Reef Octopus POV DC1 Skimmer DIY Lighting with 96x CREE XP-G-R5 and XT-E, UV, Orange/Red and Green LED.