Hey everyone! I'm a total newbie in electronics, but I'm ready to dive into a project. I'm looking to set up some RGB backlighting around my desk that automatically lights up when I sit down, stays on for about 15 minutes if I'm still there, and then fades out if I get up. Here's what I'm thinking:
- I have Home Assistant running on a Hyper-V host in my homelab.
- I want to use an Arduino and a close-range infrared sensor under my desk to detect my body heat.
- I need a manual toggle switch to turn the lights on or off when I want.
- I'm looking for an RGB controller that works with Home Assistant to manage the fading effects and color changes.
- Finally, I need a decent RGB strip to light up my desk.
Although I'm pretty skilled with software, hardware is a different story for me. I'm kinda lost about what parts to get and where to buy them, plus I need help understanding how to power the Arduino, RGB controller, and LED strip. I've got a multimeter and a nice soldering setup, but that's about it. Any guidance would be super helpful to get me started!
1 Answer
To start off, I recommend trying to get a single RGB LED working first. You just need an Arduino, an LED, and a few resistors for that. After you've got that down, you can incorporate an infrared sensor to turn the LED on for a set time when it detects body heat. If you're sticking with just a few LEDs, you should be good to go! If you want to add more LEDs later, consider using MOSFETs for better control. This is a cool project idea; I have an LED light that I want to turn on similarly if I’m in the room.
Do you have any recommended resources for learning how to build these circuits? Like how to know when to use a resistor with an LED? I’m really keen on learning the basics. Thanks for the tip on starting with cheaper components too—I’m looking forward to exploring Arduinos and all the cool things I can do with them!