I have the need to regulate the voltage going out to some LED strips. =20
These strips are simple 12V DC types that have 3 LEDs and a resistor per=20
section, repeating throughout the strip.

The voltage available is nominally 12V, but can vary between 12V and=20
14V.  The ability to handle up to 18V input is also desired by the=20
client.  The current draw of the LED load is approx 3 Amps.

I was thinking of a simple 12V LDO, but at 2V differential that's 6=20
Watts in heat - ouch!  Ideally this unit needs to run with minimal heat=20
dissipation.  I also thought about a SEPIC converter, but that would=20
take too long to design and debug and be overkill for this application.

My next thought was to use a PIC12 to PWM a logic level MOSEFT and use=20
the A2D in the PIC to sample the output voltage via an R/C network.  In=20
theory this will allow me to regulate the output and even allow for a=20
dimming function to be offered as an option.

There are only 100 units to build initially and maybe some more after=20
that, but not thousands.  A PIC based solution would be low parts count=20
and fairly easily tweaked to my mind.  Does this sound like a reasonable=20
solution?
David...

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___________________________________________
David Duffy        Audio Visual Devices P/L
Unit 8, 10 Hook St, Capalaba 4157 Australia
Ph: +61 7 38235717      Fax: +61 7 38234717
Our Web Site: www.audiovisualdevices.com.au
___________________________________________

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