top of page

STEM|How to control neon led strip brightness by using Arduino PWM module

How to light up neon led strip gradually and dim out gradually by using Arduino

Neon LED strips are generally controlled by a digital signal rather than an analog one. However, you can achieve a form of brightness control by using a technique called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) on digital pins.



Arduino boards, including those with digital pins, often support PWM. PWM simulates analog output by rapidly toggling a digital output between HIGH and LOW states. By adjusting the duty cycle (the percentage of time the signal is HIGH), you can control the perceived brightness of the connected device.


Here's an example of using PWM to control the brightness of a neon LED strip connected to a digital pin on an Arduino (e.g., using an Arduino Uno):


```cpp

// Define the digital pin for neon LED control

#define NEON_LED_PIN 9 // Use a PWM-enabled pin

void setup() {

pinMode(NEON_LED_PIN, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {

// Increase brightness gradually

for (int brightness = 0; brightness <= 255; brightness++) {

analogWrite(NEON_LED_PIN, brightness);

delay(10); // Adjust the delay as needed for a smooth transition

}

delay(1000); // Wait for a moment

// Decrease brightness gradually

for (int brightness = 255; brightness >= 0; brightness--) {

analogWrite(NEON_LED_PIN, brightness);

delay(10); // Adjust the delay as needed for a smooth transition

}

delay(1000); // Wait for a moment

}

```

In this example, the `analogWrite` function is used to set the PWM duty cycle on a pin that supports PWM (e.g., pin 9 on Arduino Uno). The loop gradually increases and decreases the brightness of the neon LED strip. The delay between steps controls the speed of the brightness change.



Make sure to connect your neon LED strip to the PWM-enabled digital pin on the Arduino and ensure that the neon LED strip can handle PWM signals. Not all LED strips are compatible with PWM, so refer to the specifications of your specific neon LED strip.


On the other hand, you can combine the code snippets for controlling multiple neon LED strips and gradually increasing and decreasing brightness. Here's an example code for lighting up and dimming out 10 neon LED strips one by one:


```cpp

// Define the digital pins for neon LED control

#define NUM_STRIPS 10 // Number of neon LED strips

#define DELAY_BETWEEN_STRIPS 1000 // Delay between lighting up each strip (in milliseconds)

#define DELAY_BETWEEN_EFFECTS 1000 // Delay between lighting up and dimming out effects (in milliseconds)

int neonPins[NUM_STRIPS] = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}; // Example pins, adjust as needed

void setup() {

for (int i = 0; i < NUM_STRIPS; i++) {

pinMode(neonPins[i], OUTPUT);

digitalWrite(neonPins[i], LOW); // Ensure all neon LEDs are initially off

}

}

void loop() {

// Light up each neon LED strip gradually

for (int i = 0; i < NUM_STRIPS; i++) {

lightUp(neonPins[i]);

delay(DELAY_BETWEEN_STRIPS);

}

// Wait before dimming out

delay(DELAY_BETWEEN_EFFECTS);

// Dim out each neon LED strip gradually

for (int i = 0; i < NUM_STRIPS; i++) {

dimOut(neonPins[i]);

delay(DELAY_BETWEEN_STRIPS);

}

// Wait before starting the next cycle

delay(DELAY_BETWEEN_EFFECTS);

}

// Function to light up a neon LED strip gradually

void lightUp(int pin) {

for (int brightness = 0; brightness <= 255; brightness++) {

analogWrite(pin, brightness);

delay(10); // Adjust the delay as needed for a smooth transition

}

}

// Function to dim out a neon LED strip gradually

void dimOut(int pin) {

for (int brightness = 255; brightness >= 0; brightness--) {

analogWrite(pin, brightness);

delay(10); // Adjust the delay as needed for a smooth transition

}

}




This code uses two functions, `lightUp` and `dimOut`, to control the gradual increase and decrease of brightness. The main loop cycles through each neon LED strip, lighting it up and then dimming it out, with delays between each strip and between the two effects.

Adjust the pin numbers, delays, and any other parameters as needed for your specific setup and preferences. Connect the neon LED strips to the corresponding pins on the Arduino.

Comments


bottom of page