Controlling an RGB LED with microcontrollers

[Ben_Mandeville]

Hi everyone,

This may seem like a really silly question, so I apologise in advance, but how do I go about creating a basic RGB LED circuit using a micro-controller like this one: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ZZ8540. Will a breadboard suffice to make the circuit or will I have to install the micro-controller and LED on PCB? It's a project I'm designing for some kids in disadvantaged areas to play with for some fun and to learn about electronics, and I'm seriously stumped. The online guides I've tried to find don't make much sense. I'm only a first year electrical engineering student haha.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Cheers,
Ben

 

[donpacino]

a breadboard would work.

http://circuit-zone.com/ediy_blog/453/Power-RGB-LED-Controller.png
you can use this types of circuit, depending on your leds the transistor and resistor values may have to change.

replace the IC with your micro controller, the 3 channels should be outputs from your micro controller

 

[Ben_Mandeville]

Hi donpacino,

Thank you very much for your help and for the links :) Much appreciated.


Ben