PCBWay

[malc-c]

Hi Guys,

I'm developing a cross platform project for the hobby / model world. It's basically a 16 Channel lighting controller with PWM outputs. I used PCBWay to have 5 prototype boards made and I can't praise them enough for the excellent quality of the boards, and the fast turn-around, even though I chose the standard 3-5 day production run. DHL also pulled their finger out and the boards were delivered the same day the plane touched down !!

Five boards, double sided standard 1.6mm, 1oz copper - $36 - DHL $25 - (+ customs duty and VAT -£16 ) - Even with the shipping and duty, it's still hundreds of pounds cheaper than any UK PCB house I contacted.

I opted for SMD components, which whilst allowing for a compact board was a killer on my fading eyesight !!

Just waiting for the last few components and then its on to ironing out any issue through testing...

**broken link removed**

 

[Rich D.]

What'cha controlling it with? I don't see any brains on the boards yet. Is it hiding underneath?
I'm also curious how much current & voltage these drivers put out...if that's not too prying and personal.

 

[malc-c]

Its a PIC micro that's hiding underneath the LCD. This controls a PCA9685. Switching of the 12v is done via 8A MOSFETs, although I've limited the output to 3A using re-settable fuses. In tests, a 1.9 amp load @ 13.8v caused no increase in temperature of the FETS.

Hope that helps

 

[Rich D.]

It helps my curiosity a lot!
I'm working on a 3-channel driver for high-power LEDs right now. It includes a temperature sensor and thermal shutoff and is bolted on the edge of the LEDs heatsink.
I'll make a bunch of these and drive them with a PWM signal. Haven't decided on the controller yet...probably an Arduino due to the simplicity of the software effort.


This is the results of my last LED project, a high-power color RGB LED lamp.

 

[malc-c]

Wow, that's colourful...

I've used a variation of this project to create a 4 channel LED lighting controller for my reef tank. The output from the PCA9685 drives meanwell 1 Amp constant current LED drivers to run strings of around 10 CREE 5W LEDs. This gives me 20 x 4000 K white LEDS and 20 Royal blues.

If you opt to develop your own driver boards then I'm sure you will be pleased with PCBWays service and quality.

 

[Rich D.]

I might be very happy with PCBWays quality, but here on the other side of the pond the shipping price may not be quite so generous.