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elmetal
HG Junior
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 13
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 Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:37 am Post subject: Programming and how to do it? |
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Hello all. My first project with anything electrical happened yesterday. I basically recreated the bawls lamp with an added help from Alan, at which point I added a 3 way switch as well as a wall plug. Quite a step for me.
Next project I want is simple in my head but I am sure I would need some programming. I want 4 LEDs in a row, and have them blink alternatively or in some sort of pattern that can easily be changed. I have no idea how to do this, I am trying to do one project for each kind of component to learn about it. Like last project was for me to learn about transistos and photoresistors and how they work. This will be for learning maybe about capacitors, if they are needed (doubt it) and maybe programming with electricity.
This coming fall I will be attending college for an delectrical engineering major and I wanna get a jumpstart because this sort of thing really jumps out at me because it is too good.
thanks all
Felipe |
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Alan
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1399
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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| Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: Programming and how to do it? |
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| elmetal wrote: | Hello all. My first project with anything electrical happened yesterday. I basically recreated the bawls lamp with an added help from Alan, at which point I added a 3 way switch as well as a wall plug. Quite a step for me.
Next project I want is simple in my head but I am sure I would need some programming. I want 4 LEDs in a row, and have them blink alternatively or in some sort of pattern that can easily be changed. I have no idea how to do this, I am trying to do one project for each kind of component to learn about it. Like last project was for me to learn about transistos and photoresistors and how they work. This will be for learning maybe about capacitors, if they are needed (doubt it) and maybe programming with electricity.
This coming fall I will be attending college for an delectrical engineering major and I wanna get a jumpstart because this sort of thing really jumps out at me because it is too good.
thanks all
Felipe |
Hey Felipe,
Glad your first project worked out! Using a 555 timer you can control an output high and low allowing you to alternately flash some LEDs.
Here is an example circuit:
http://www.radiolocman.com/electrical-engineering/circuit-cache.html?di=11171
You won't need IC2 and IC3, the max current output of a 555 is about 200mA so you should be able to drive between 6 to 10 LED on each side (12 to 20 total). This could also easily be done with a microcontroller but it would take some equipment and a bit of time to learn the programming language.
Good luck with your studies!
Alan |
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elmetal
HG Junior
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject: a little too advanced |
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I can recreate that on a citcuit board but it is far beyond my knowledge. I want to go in steps and learn about components so I Can go ahead and think up the schematics by myself. I have added a on off auto switch thanks to you, and now with my own trial and error I am adding a dimmer to the lamp. What do you think my next project should be to slowly learn?
(thanks for the schematics though) |
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Alan
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1399
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: a little too advanced |
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| elmetal wrote: | I can recreate that on a citcuit board but it is far beyond my knowledge. I want to go in steps and learn about components so I Can go ahead and think up the schematics by myself. I have added a on off auto switch thanks to you, and now with my own trial and error I am adding a dimmer to the lamp. What do you think my next project should be to slowly learn?
(thanks for the schematics though) |
Well 555 timers are fun. They are simple and flexible, their use has diminished over the years because of microcontrollers that can do so much. Take a look at this site:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/555.htm
There are lots of interesting projects that can be made with just a few components and a 555 timer. At the top of the page there is an introduction about how the timer works. Buy yourself a breadboard, you might want to get a resistor and a capacitor kit (these kits have a 10 or 20 common values) this way you can experiment with changing values and seeing what happens. |
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elmetal
HG Junior
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I do have a breadboard at this time. I do need to go buy some circuitboard to solder projects to though. like the bawls lamp I am making a wooden base that the bottle will sit on top of and all the wiring is hidden in the base that has a switch and a dimmer, the only wires visible will be the 2 going to the LED... I need to go find me a resistor kit and whatnot... radioshack didn't have them, where do you supposed I can buy these? can I cuy resistor assortments online? if so, wheree? |
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elmetal
HG Junior
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| I forgot to thank you for helping me with all these random projects of mine. thanks dude |
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Alan
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1399
Location: Winnipeg, MB
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| elmetal wrote: | | I forgot to thank you for helping me with all these random projects of mine. thanks dude |
Anytime  |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| elmetal wrote: | | ... I need to go find me a resistor kit and whatnot... radioshack didn't have them, where do you supposed I can buy these? can I cuy resistor assortments online? if so, wheree? |
If you want a resistor kit, I would suggest this one http://www.elexp.com/cmp_2501.htm. They also have a capacitor kit http://www.elexp.com/cmp_cpkt.htm, but i've never used it so I don't know how valuable they are. |
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