Advent Calendar for Geeks

The "Advent Calendar for Geeks" is a perfect present for your nerdy friends. It has some awesome features like:

looks really nerdy
you just need to buy the parts, your nerdy friend has the fun making it
24 different switching stats
no glue, no soldering
all parts are re-usable
easy to make
including batterie!

Okay, it is a simple counter circuit involving two 7-segment displays and two counter-ICs. Every day of December you can push the button one time to count until December 24th.

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Step 1: Parts

Here is what you need:

a breadboard
2 7-segment displays, common cathode
2 IC CMOS 4026
2 resistors 10k
2 resistors 330
1 capacitor 47nF
1 momentary push button
1 9V battery
1 battery clip
wire

Buy these parts, put them in a gift box and give it to your friend! Let him / her have the fun of making the advent counter!

globo says: Nov 25, 2011. 6:48 AM

I've made an instruction sheet for my kids.

It's a little easier to build in 5 steps.

Bauanleitung.pdf277 KB

mischka (author) in reply to globoNov 25, 2011. 9:29 AM

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

spoons195 says: Jun 8, 2012. 4:48 PM

Hey I am just using the Fritzing programme now and was wondering what are the serial numbers on the black rectangles on the middle of your breadboard, just so I can find the right ones.

mischka (author) in reply to spoons195Jul 11, 2012. 3:13 AM

The rectangles are ICs or "chips", the number is the name of the chip.

sokamiwohali says: Dec 27, 2011. 12:28 PM

I think this project is purtty dern cool...BUT JUST A THOUGHT...how about Making the assembly small enough and put it on a PCB and then into a Project Enclosure. Also rig it up to use an external power source so you dont have to buy batteries...you could also do this same thing and enclose it into a tree topper like object, and put it on your tree so EVERYONE can see it...

Avasar10000 says: Nov 28, 2011. 11:10 AM

Is it possible to add a 555 timer so that once you start the clock, it will continue to count down daily instead of pushing the button daily? I am sure there is a arduino type of procedure, but I am looking for a way to do this with limited skills and compoents. Any thoughts....anyone? .....Bueller.......Bueller.......Bueller?
Thanks to all!!!

mischka (author) in reply to Avasar10000Nov 29, 2011. 1:43 AM

You may wire the 555 in astable mode and use the output as a trigger for the first 4026 (instead of the push button). The resistor and capacitor must be very big and I guess it would not be very accurate. But possible.

flyingace says: Nov 24, 2011. 9:22 PM

I thought that this looked like a fun project but am having trouble with a couple things.

Firstly, in the text below your diagram you write that we should wire the second IC like the first one. To a total novice like me (or the friend I might give this to) following this instruction is far more complicated than you might think. It would be much more helpful if there were a complete diagram to follow.

Secondly, I noticed that the breadboard in your photo is not the same one in the diagram. It may be that the breadboard in the photo just isn't as long as the one in the diagram, but it looks like there are also two red wires at the very right edge of your breadboard which aren't in the diagram at all.

I hope that you can clear these things up cos I'd really like to do this project. Thanks for posting it.

mischka (author) in reply to flyingaceNov 25, 2011. 11:28 AM

globo has made a 5 step build instruction (see comment on top). Think it can help you!

flyingace in reply to mischkaNov 25, 2011. 5:18 PM

Thanks to you for your reply and your instructable and to Globo for his kid-friendly instruction sheet! Merry Christmas!

mischka (author) in reply to flyingaceNov 25, 2011. 4:32 AM

The two wires you are missing connect the power lines of the breadboard. In the diagram they are on the left close to the battery.

I did not wire the second chip in the diagram because it would end up in a big mess, but you can simply wire it like you did with the first one. Thats all the same.

Hope it helps a bit. Feel free to ask if you have any question!

Nemweb says: Nov 25, 2011. 8:35 AM

what is the name of the program you used to create this breadboard schematic?

mischka (author) in reply to NemwebNov 25, 2011. 9:27 AM

Fritzing. You can download it here. Its free software.

Nemweb in reply to mischkaNov 25, 2011. 12:01 PM

thank you

rajuwithualways says: Nov 24, 2011. 9:38 PM

hey I just want to try an Alarm circuit, for which i can keep 4 alarms per day at different specified times.. can u help me on this??????????

sockless says: Nov 24, 2011. 3:47 PM

Not hating on your project, but it would be better if you added a new component in every day and it changed the counter that way.

mkunst says: Nov 24, 2011. 6:55 AM

can you also control it with Arduino?

mischka (author) in reply to mkunstNov 24, 2011. 10:59 AM

Yes, you could make a circuit to control the display with an Arduino. There is even a library to make things easier. See http://arduino.cc/playground/Main/InterfacingWithHardware#Output for more information.

In fact this is NOT an Arduino project. I put it in the "living" category, but the Instructables staff changed it to Tech > Arduino. I did not have the time to change it.

BrittLiv says: Nov 21, 2011. 12:24 PM

Gut und Günstig *g*.

Treupp says: Nov 21, 2011. 11:27 AM

But...but...but... there's no chocolate :(

Nice 'ible though. :D

mischka (author) in reply to TreuppNov 21, 2011. 11:41 AM

Robot Lover says: Nov 19, 2011. 3:28 PM

I love it! I have been trying to learn about logic for a while! perhaps this is a good project for that! Staying on the Advent calendar theme, would you care to participate in my advent calendar? Here is the page: http://www.instructables.com/id/Instructable-Advent-Calendar-2011/