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Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: DW1961 on January 06, 2021, 07:00:37 pm

Title: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: DW1961 on January 06, 2021, 07:00:37 pm
I've been bench testing 12V RGB lights for current, but I want to test ARGB lights now.

The 12V RGB is simply because it has a power connection and then the LED light connection only. That way I can test each channel (R G or B), or just put the power to all three and get total amps at 100% duty.

The ARGB, however,  has 3 connections, power, negative, and data. How would I go about bench testing to check total amperage, which means all lights on 100%?
Title: Re: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: LexLabs on January 08, 2021, 04:52:26 pm
I've been bench testing 12V RGB lights for current, but I want to test ARGB lights now.

The 12V RGB is simply because it has a power connection and then the LED light connection only. That way I can test each channel (R G or B), or just put the power to all three and get total amps at 100% duty.

The ARGB, however,  has 3 connections, power, negative, and data. How would I go about bench testing to check total amperage, which means all lights on 100%?

Hi,  I guess one of the methods is to use a microcontroller to drive all the lights High and then measure the current using a multimeter/Ammeter.
Title: Re: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: phil from seattle on January 08, 2021, 05:40:56 pm
ARGB is more of a marketing description - A stands for Addressable.  What is the part number of the LEDs?  I'd guess WS2812 or some such.  Usually strings marketed as ARGB have a controller that drives them. If it's a bare string, then you will need to do what LexLabs said. The good news here is that once you ID the LEDs, there are plenty of libraries out there.
Title: Re: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: DW1961 on January 08, 2021, 08:59:53 pm
ARGB is more of a marketing description - A stands for Addressable.  What is the part number of the LEDs?  I'd guess WS2812 or some such.  Usually strings marketed as ARGB have a controller that drives them. If it's a bare string, then you will need to do what LexLabs said. The good news here is that once you ID the LEDs, there are plenty of libraries out there.

I may have to buy a 5V controller on amazon, cut the SATA power plug off, and then attach my power supply leads.
Title: Re: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: Zero999 on January 08, 2021, 09:07:14 pm
ARGB is more of a marketing description - A stands for Addressable.  What is the part number of the LEDs?  I'd guess WS2812 or some such.  Usually strings marketed as ARGB have a controller that drives them. If it's a bare string, then you will need to do what LexLabs said. The good news here is that once you ID the LEDs, there are plenty of libraries out there.
Thanks. I didn't know that. I assumed it meant Amber, Red, Green, Blue!
Title: Re: Testing 5V ARGB lights for current
Post by: phil from seattle on January 08, 2021, 11:58:18 pm
ARGB is more of a marketing description - A stands for Addressable.  What is the part number of the LEDs?  I'd guess WS2812 or some such.  Usually strings marketed as ARGB have a controller that drives them. If it's a bare string, then you will need to do what LexLabs said. The good news here is that once you ID the LEDs, there are plenty of libraries out there.
Thanks. I didn't know that. I assumed it meant Amber, Red, Green, Blue!
Or, in the spirit of truth in advertising, Almost RGB.