TheOcularMan

And reasons to use c++, mostly the bits about the bottom-up approach.

I just got a "Redragon K551" for work, its pretty nice for 30 bucks Link. They have an RGB model. The keyboard is low end, but it doesn't suck.

Well originally I was going to tell you to connect it to an 'Arduino' type board. However upon further investigation, I think the motion is controlled by 'wire', like a Muppet. So... I'm at a loss for a simple solution. To confirm, dose it take batteries?

"ultra portable desktop with integrated keyboard"

The closed cup flashpoint of isopropyl alcohol is 12*C, a hair dryer can get up to 50*C... are you sure you saw a spark?

honestly, I have no idea, sorry.

WinFLP, lol "off a legitimate install disk".

I would stay below 1Mhz. Your right, there isn't, I have found that anything over 100Hz is good (browse my status updates, I posted something about it). Some led driver chips clock in at 10kHz. If you want my honest opinion, I would just use the built in pwm 'function' that arduino offers. analogWrite(pin, duty_cycle); //500Hz, duty 0-255 = 0%-100% It makes things simple and portable, 8bit resolution. Driving it faster than 500Hz doesn't really 'do' anything (somebody can chime in if I'm wrong). From what I was able to find, it looks like each timer(0-2) can be set with its own prescale value, and each timer has two 'channels' that can be assigned a specific 'duty' value. I think one of the timers is used by the uart though. Resources

Is 4kHz realistic, yes.... if the rise time of your BJT is within spec, fall time too... stay under 4Mhz for a 2N2222. I believe the default PWM frequency for Arduino is 500Hz, which is fine, you should be more worried about the duty cycle than the frequency (unless you need a high frequency for some reason). Which arduino? Each chip is different, and are you using the arduino ide?

Are they any good is the question, Your probably fine with that strip controller given 2 things. Thing 1, you don't add to many LEDs, ie. strip length. Thing 2, your power supply should be beefy enough to drive the Nth number of leds connected. The strip of leds, is literally just a strip of leds and resistors... If everything is 'bundled' it probably works together, be aware the ad has 2 different types of strip controllers, make sure you get the right one for your length (current rating). Ebay sells exactly the same thing BTW, its worth a look if you want to save a few bucks. Most if not all led controllers operate pretty much the same way for that type of strip lighting. So finding a 'better one' is really going to be dependent on the mosfets used (current rating and switch speed). also, those are not, individually addressable, so your going to be limited to changing the whole strip, so like no chase effect, no half and half or anything like that. As far your the bulbs, I haven't the slightest idea about the quality. Explanation if your still curious as to what the hell I'm talking about

yeah it is.... I don't know how I missed that. Your welcome, glad it helped.