dipanp
Newbie level 2
Let me preface this by saying that I am electronics novice. I can solder and understand basic electronics and am willing to learn. Circuits in general have been very difficult for me to understand so please forgive any mistakes I make. I would really appreciate any guidance that anyone can give me.
I have a device (aquarium controller) that has several 0-10V filtered PWM outputs to act as signal lines to control different items. These seem pretty well filtered by the aquarium controller, and appear essentially as a nearly flat analog DC voltage on a hobbyist oscilloscope. In this case, the outputs are going to be used to control LED aquarium lights. Each string of lights requires a constant current driver which has 0-10V inputs to control LED intensity. The device in question outputting 0-10V as a control signal can only support 10mA current draw and each of these LED drivers attached to the control signal draws 3.3mA. I need to run many more of them than 3 per channel, however, and that is where my problem is, but increasing current handling to 40-50mA per channel should be fine.
After some hours of googling I've decided to ask here. Am I correct in saying that what I need is a unity gain voltage follower (or buffer) circuit? If so, what is available and will input and output 0V-10V, draw no more than 10mA, and deliver identical input voltage at up to 40-50mA?
Here is a link to a thread I started on an aquarium forum to try to get some help:
https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=228743
I have a device (aquarium controller) that has several 0-10V filtered PWM outputs to act as signal lines to control different items. These seem pretty well filtered by the aquarium controller, and appear essentially as a nearly flat analog DC voltage on a hobbyist oscilloscope. In this case, the outputs are going to be used to control LED aquarium lights. Each string of lights requires a constant current driver which has 0-10V inputs to control LED intensity. The device in question outputting 0-10V as a control signal can only support 10mA current draw and each of these LED drivers attached to the control signal draws 3.3mA. I need to run many more of them than 3 per channel, however, and that is where my problem is, but increasing current handling to 40-50mA per channel should be fine.
After some hours of googling I've decided to ask here. Am I correct in saying that what I need is a unity gain voltage follower (or buffer) circuit? If so, what is available and will input and output 0V-10V, draw no more than 10mA, and deliver identical input voltage at up to 40-50mA?
Here is a link to a thread I started on an aquarium forum to try to get some help:
https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=228743