rkhanso
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2017
- Messages
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Hello,
I'm working on some home automation-type things at home. I had the parts on had for this circuit, so that's why I'm using it.
I have what I think is a simple electronics question.
Following THIS schematic, I'm trying to get an ESP8266 D1 Mini controller to control a strip of 12v LED lights.
I could probably ask the question at the Stack Exchange website, but I don't have an account there and don't really want to.
I used a breadboard to build the circuit. The lights didn't go on/off.
When toggling the GPIO output on the D1 Mini, I saw it switch from about 3v3 to 0v.
I did get the voltage of the 10K ohm resistor on the collector to switch between 5v and 0v when toggling the GPIO pin on the D1 Mini. So I got it working that far. I also measured the voltage at the gate of the MOSFET. I could see it also switch from 5v to 0v when toggling the GPIO on the D1 Mini. The lights just stayed on all the time. They never turned off.
I'm pretty sure I had everything wired correctly EXCEPT for a question about the grounds. Do I need to tie them together to get it to work? I didn't because I have 2 different power supplies in play. One power source (Micro USB connector from my PC) going to the D1 Mini. I also have a 12v DC power supply going to the MOSFET and to power the LED strip. I didn't know if connecting the two separate grounds would fry something.
Thanks.
I'm working on some home automation-type things at home. I had the parts on had for this circuit, so that's why I'm using it.
I have what I think is a simple electronics question.
Following THIS schematic, I'm trying to get an ESP8266 D1 Mini controller to control a strip of 12v LED lights.
I could probably ask the question at the Stack Exchange website, but I don't have an account there and don't really want to.
I used a breadboard to build the circuit. The lights didn't go on/off.
When toggling the GPIO output on the D1 Mini, I saw it switch from about 3v3 to 0v.
I did get the voltage of the 10K ohm resistor on the collector to switch between 5v and 0v when toggling the GPIO pin on the D1 Mini. So I got it working that far. I also measured the voltage at the gate of the MOSFET. I could see it also switch from 5v to 0v when toggling the GPIO on the D1 Mini. The lights just stayed on all the time. They never turned off.
I'm pretty sure I had everything wired correctly EXCEPT for a question about the grounds. Do I need to tie them together to get it to work? I didn't because I have 2 different power supplies in play. One power source (Micro USB connector from my PC) going to the D1 Mini. I also have a 12v DC power supply going to the MOSFET and to power the LED strip. I didn't know if connecting the two separate grounds would fry something.
Thanks.