How to make an Arduino based night light with infrared remote control!

Here is an Instructable that will show you how to build an Arduino based night light with
a small infrared remote that lets you scroll through 10 pre set colors , and a random fading
color routine that loops forever.

This instructable assumes you :

Have a Arduino.
Have a soldering iron and can solder.
Can create a circuit board etched, machined or however you want.
Can build an enclosure machined, pre-made - reused, folded up paper whatever.
Can have fun looking at shiny leds!

Because we are working with electronics and machines for fabrication, I cannot be held
responsible for anything that happens while you are attempting to re-create this Instructable.
So that being said lets make something cool.

Step 1 Parts

1.  Arduino   I used the Duemilanove with the ATmega 168 the code is just under 7k.
                   
2.  PCB manufacturing supplies   This Instructable will not show you how to make the board, there are other great Instructables already written for that. The board for this is just under 2.5"   square

3.  Component parts for nightlight pcb:

1   ATmega 168                           Mouser #   556 - ATMEGA168P - 20PU
1   28 pin IC socket                     Mouser #   571 - 1 - 390261 - 9
1   2.1mm Power Jack               Mouser #   163 - 4302 -EX or scavenged
1   1N4001 diode                        Radio Shack or scavenged
1   16 Mhz crystal                         Mouser #   815 - ABL -16 - B2
1   NPN IR Photo transistor       Mouser #   859 - LTR3208E Digikey # for side style160-1065-ND
2   10K resistors                          Mouser #   291-10K-RC
4   82 Ohm resistors                  Mouser #   291-82-RC    
2  150 Ohm resistors                 Mouser #  291-150-RC
2   22 pf capacitors                     Mouser #  140-50N2-220J-TB-RC
2   100uf capacitors                    Scavenged
3   100nf capacitors                    Scavenged
1   Momentary push button       Scavenged
1   7805 5 volt regulator             T0-92 package or TO-220            Mouser # 595-UA78L05ACLP  or scavenged
 4  RGB leds                                Mouser #  604-WP154A4-RGB    common cathode
                                                       For common anode Adafruit Industries

Component parts for remote:

1 2N3904 NPN transistor          Radio Shack or scavenged
1 2N3906 PNP transistor           Radio Shack or scavenged
1 Momentary push button          Radio Shack or scavenged
1  100nf capacitor                       Radio Shack or scavenged
1 IR emitter                                   Mouser # 859-LTE-3271BL
1 1Mohm resistor                        Radio Shack or scavenged
1  22K resistor                             Radio Shack or scavenged
1 paper clip                                  Scavenged

Note on IR Transistor and emitter. They can be bought in pairs at Radio Shack.

4.    5volt - 9volt wall wart.

Make sure its center positive polarity, and has a 2.1 mm plug.
You can definitely find a suitable wall wart at the thrift store or use an old cell phone charger.
If you need to get the 2.1 mm plug you can get it through Mouser or Radio Shack, just make
sure you wire it up center positive. If you cant find one and you have to buy a new one Adafruit, or
Sparkfun both carry one that will work. If you have one and need to change the polarity check this out.

5. Materials for enclosure:
 
These can be whatever you choose as long as it defuses the light from the leds in a way
you like. A couple of enclosures I chose were a pre-made star lamp that was intended for an
incandescent light bulb, a piece of 81/2 x 11 printer paper folded into a box shape, and some aluminum and clear plastic that I machined into a shape that was similar to the pcb.

Comments

[thealeks]

what program did you use to open the .sch files? thanks!

[thealeks]

nvm i figured it out haha nice 'ble tho! very informative!

[timotet]

I used eagle cad.
thanks for the comment are you going to make one?

[thealeks]

im actually just using the remote part, i have to modify the schematic a bit tho. im making necklaces for my girlfriend and me, that when they get near eachother, they'll light up.

[frank26080115]

I noticed you are not modulating your remote control's IR signal. How does your project perform in various lighting conditions? Does it ever get unintentionally triggered by other light sources?

I think a better idea is to take one of those 38 KHz IR remote receivers and get a cheap universal remote, or build a 555 timer circuit to output modulated IR signals. This will make sure it works in all lighting conditions.

I've covered this in my http://www.instructables.com/id/Music-Playing-Alarm-Clock/step10/Infrared-Receiver-Basics/

[timotet]

Frank
Yes it triggers if the IR transistor is pointing a bright light source.
I was going for more of a short range type set up.
I checked out your Instructable awesome work.
Thanks for the IR tip, looks like a great upgrade for ver2.