This lab will focus on utilizing the kind of know-how we obtained from the previous motors lab and use it to demonstrate the kind of outputs we can hook up to the Arduino!
The schematic on the right is the kind of example we will be following, with the output device being a component of various kinds!
To power a "signal lamp" (Christmas light), we will use the Arduino as the power supply that will be connected to the base of the transistor. This will mean that the board is sending a signal and essentially acting as the bridge that allows the light to turn on!
Before and After!
And here it is in video format!
This is a configuration known as a Darlington. This is pretty much using a smaller signal transistor to turn on a more powerful transistor, creating a much larger amount of current!
What's even more amazing is that the previous config. can be found in any Darlington transistor! That means that the same amount of power/principle can be utilized from a single TIP-120 or MPSA13! For the next section, let's see how this can be harnessed to power a motor with less effort!
Using this config we are able to construct and add this to our Arduino for PWM! This will allow us to control the frequency and power of the signals sent, resulting in various power of the motor running. On the right is a close-up of the TIP-120, our new component ally!
Notice the sound of it winding down! Not simply turning on and off at the same amount of power!
