Alternating LED Display

In this instructable, I will show you how to make LEDs flash from one word/ drawing/ color/ brightness to another. This is very easy to redesign to carry out different functions, and is very simple to make. The parts can all be purchased at radio shack, so are easy to get. I made this one for my sister, so I made the LEDs into letters that spelled her nick name " A Shef". I made it oscillate between A and Shef about once every second, but the rate that it oscillates as well as what the LEDs do can be changed.

Step 1: Gather Materials

You shouldn't really need over $20 for this project, but if you buy a ton of LEDs you may need more.

Materials:

- 10 uf capacitors (x2)
- 1k resistor
- 10k resistor
- 100k resistor
- 470 ohm resistors (x2)
- NE555P IC 
- 9v battery snap
- PC board 
- as many LEDs as you need
- project box (Keep in mind the larger the box the more LEDs that can be used)
- solder
- wire

Tools:

- drill (and bits)
- soldering iron
- wire cutters

Comments

[zack247]

are your LED's just randomly arranged or do they spell something out?

[freeza36]

He says it spells out his sisters nickname, "a shef."

[Higgs Boson]

They spell out my sister's nick name " A Shef". It is sort of difficult to see when it is not on. If I had added more LEDs it probably would be easier to see, but it was what I had on hand, and it is still a lot of LEDs (about 35).

[zack247]

ah, i see it now.
its my fault for not reading the instructable as in-depth as i probably should have :P