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You know it, in the winter time it is hard to get up, because it is dark outside and your body just won’t wake up in the middle of the night. So you can buy an alarm-clock that wakes you up with light. These devices are not as expensive as few years ago, but most of them look really ugly.
On the other hand, most of the time it is also dark when you come home from work. So the great sunset is also gone. Wintertime seems sad, isn't it?
But not for the readers of this instructable. It explains you how to build a combined sunrise and sunset-lamp from a picaxe microcontroller, some LEDs and a few other parts.
The LEDs might cost you 5-10 Euros depending on the quality and the other parts should not make more than 20 Euros. So with less than 30 Euros you can build something really helpful and nice.
And this instructable will not only explain you how to rebuild this, but also show you how to modify it to your individual preferences.
On the other hand, most of the time it is also dark when you come home from work. So the great sunset is also gone. Wintertime seems sad, isn't it?
But not for the readers of this instructable. It explains you how to build a combined sunrise and sunset-lamp from a picaxe microcontroller, some LEDs and a few other parts.
The LEDs might cost you 5-10 Euros depending on the quality and the other parts should not make more than 20 Euros. So with less than 30 Euros you can build something really helpful and nice.
And this instructable will not only explain you how to rebuild this, but also show you how to modify it to your individual preferences.
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Signing UpStep 1Things we need
You need these things:
In older computer-mouses with D-Sub-connectors you might find a good substitute for the phone-jack cable used to program the picaxe.
Picaxes and a lot of other useful stuff might be bought here:
http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/
For the rest just check out your local dealer.
o 12V or 24V power-supply
o 1 Picaxe 18M (or any other microcontroller) from http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/
o A socket for a 3.5mm phone-jack, or any other connection from the serial-port to the microcontroller to program the picaxe
o 1 pushbutton and 1 toggle-switch, or 2 pushbuttons
o 1 IC7805 with capacitors, this converts us the 12V or 24V to the 5V we need to operate the microcontroller
o 1 IC ULN2803A, This is a Darlington Transistor Array for the direct use on TTL-Level outputs. Alternatively use 8 single Darlington-Transistors with suitable resistors but it also works with the standard BC547-transistors.
o 1 High-Power FET like the IRF520, or some other Power-Darlington-transistor like the BD649
o A whole bunch of LEDs, different colors like red, yellow, white, warmwhite, blue and ultraviolet. Read step 4 for further informations.
o 1 10k&-potentiometer, preferable with a long knob
o 1 300&- potentiometer for testing purposes
o Some resistors, some cables, a board to build the circuit and of course a soldering-iron
o A measuring tool for currents would also be handy, but is not absolutely necessary
Depending on the power-source you use you might need additional connectors and a housing for the LEDs. I used an acrylic board which I fixed to the housing of the Power-supply.In older computer-mouses with D-Sub-connectors you might find a good substitute for the phone-jack cable used to program the picaxe.
Picaxes and a lot of other useful stuff might be bought here:
http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/
For the rest just check out your local dealer.
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Has anyone make a PCB for this? I'm being lazy here, of course!
And congratulations that you finally started with Picaxe. They are really easy to learn and good for a start.
Good Luck!
I need help..I wanted to know that if I wanted to use this for the entire roof of my roof (10X10sq ft) how many leds are required and where do place the various colors.
And is there a way that I could connect it to a electric watch and it could simulate it for me when ever I wanted to on the press of a button ??
Thanks
Rahul
Can anyone help me with the circuit for the wake up light, please.
Your project here is perfect for people as it naturally adusts your vision to match whats going on outside. if you could integrate a stronger UV source, it would help your body adjust even better. This idea is great for both people and animals that are sensitive to sunrise/sunset.
Im going to try this as soon as i can collect parts. I also think it would look excellent if it were modfied to point the leds upward and enclose in a simple, thin, 3d rectangular frame with panels made of a heavy rice paper, or a thin opaque white plastic.
Awesome stuff.
But a big painting is also a good idea.
Lately I saw something like this, that was a silhouette of a city in front of a RGB-LED. This also gave a nice effect.
The *.sch file contains the circuit diagram and can be opened with the "Eagle Layout Editor" from Cadsoft. They offer a free version of their product which might be downloaded from their website
But you could also use the jpgs of the circuit diagramm, they are prints of the eagle software.
Unless, that is, you enjoy being a sourpuss. If that's the case, then carry on.
Hopefully soon a new instructable will be ready...
Stay tuned!