LED Rainbow - RGB LED PWM Controller Construction - Easy To Build

 by john.kerr
Step-by-step, easy to follow instructions on the building of a LED Rainbow RGB LED PWM Controller. Only a minimal amount of parts are needed, along with a PIC processor, and you can construct one of the most amazing LED controllers available.

The system is capable of driving either RGB LEDs, or individual Red, Green and Blue LEDs to produce stunning effects.

The bare PCB, kits of components, code necessary to program into the PIC controller are all available from the http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/led_rainbow/ support site at www.pcboard.ca.

Full details on the LED Rainbow, along with user guides, display sequence summaries, programming information for the PIC processor along with full customization details are all freely available on the support web site.

If you have a well stocked bench with components, you can easily build up this project in an afternoon.
 
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Step 1: Background Information

Side-By-Side.jpg
The LED Rainbow is a dedicated Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller which generates color changing effects with RGB LED lighting products. The circuit controls three outputs, each which has the ability to run an LED segment, and with three segments, is a natural for the control of RGB LED arrays.

Sequences are fully customizable and are contained in the microcontroller, which has the ability to strobe, cycle and fade the lighting, creating a massive palette of over 16 million colors using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology. Each output has a resolution of 8-bits, which gives each color a range of 256 intensities and when the three colors are mixed together, a full rainbow of color combinations is possible.

With a minimal parts count, the LED Rainbow is very economical for the hobbyist to build, using industry standard components and running off of a standard 12v-15v power supply. The 2" (51mm) square board is a double sided construction with a detailed silk-screen which aids in the placement of the components.

john.kerr (author) in reply to elarkangelFeb 3, 2013. 11:41 AM
The blank PCB and more information on the project has a new web home at http://pcboard.ca/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=76_85
john.kerr (author) in reply to HuguFeb 3, 2013. 11:43 AM
Full schematics are available from the support page at http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/led_rainbow/usersguide.html and the PCB can be ordered online for $4 from http://pcboard.ca/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=76_85
Hugu says: Feb 1, 2012. 11:31 AM
anyone already do the layout for de pcb?...

someone can share it? thank u!
elarkangel says: Jun 4, 2010. 5:52 AM
hi! i love this one but i dont see where can i find the board circuit :S can anyone help me whit this? i really wont to do this! thanks in advance! PS: i love this!
john.kerr (author) in reply to elarkangelJun 4, 2010. 3:49 PM
You can acquire the PCB for this from http://www.pcboard.ca/shop/product.php?productid=132

Thanks...
oxy-totton says: Jan 28, 2009. 12:57 PM
the site you gave has inactive hyperlinks for the ordering information so i was wondering if you know of any other LED controllers that would do the exact same thing
john.kerr (author) in reply to oxy-tottonFeb 3, 2013. 11:40 AM
The LED Rainbow accessories page has been updated and moved. It is now located at http://pcboard.ca/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=76_85
bkeaton says: Aug 24, 2011. 1:56 PM
The pinouts on the schematic appear to be mislabeled. Pin 3 should be Vin and pin 1 should be Vout, Since the pins are reversed, I'm thinking that Vcc and Vdd should be reversed as well. Also, what voltage should appear at the output terminals?
bkeaton says: Jul 9, 2011. 6:14 PM
Can someone identify what type of cap C3 is? In the parts photo it looks to be a blue tantalum. In several other photos it looks like a brown mylar. Thank you.
john.kerr (author) in reply to bkeatonJul 10, 2011. 8:07 AM
You can use whatever type of .1uf non-electrolytic capacitor you might have around in your component supply chest.

john
bkeaton in reply to john.kerrJul 10, 2011. 3:19 PM
Great, thanks for the reply John.
Ant101 says: Feb 16, 2011. 11:41 AM
This is a great project, and the different effects are awesome :-)
It worked first time to my amazement!
I hope to install it somewhere permanent soon., like a kitchen glass splash back or behind the tv for mood lighting. Designing the pcb was a little tricky !
Thanks for sharing,
Antikythera says: Jan 1, 2011. 4:09 PM
What's the current output ?
john.kerr (author) in reply to AntikytheraJan 1, 2011. 5:52 PM
Each output is capable of running 5A without a heat sink.

John
Antikythera in reply to john.kerrJan 1, 2011. 6:29 PM
thats intense! no pun intended!
hanelyp says: Nov 15, 2010. 8:38 PM
Can we get a circuit schematic diagram?
john.kerr (author) in reply to hanelypNov 24, 2010. 5:21 AM
Full documentation and schematics are available here: http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/led_rainbow/led_rainbow_v3.pdf

Applecore807 says: Jun 11, 2010. 10:28 PM
Whats the maximum input power: voltage and amps? and whats the maximum output voltage and amps per color? thanks
emmanhello says: Mar 1, 2010. 1:43 PM
Awready bought mine. It workz great. It make meh happy.
john_ingham says: Jan 14, 2009. 7:02 AM
With the program that goes into the microcontroller, is this available separately or must I pay for it and what type of microcontroller is being used?
john.kerr (author) in reply to john_inghamApr 14, 2009. 4:31 PM
The code for the controller is a free download from: http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/led_rainbow/programming.html

Using the code, you can program up the chip yourself. If you may not have access to a programmer, the chips are available separately fully programmed.
dazzamatazz says: Feb 3, 2009. 11:12 AM
I have designed and built a control board like the one here it will operate between 6-32 volts dc and the chip is fully programmable with anything you want it to do with 3 strings of light at about 5 amps each string. i will be posting my instructable in a couple of weeks time after i build a new board.
Tweac-it says: Feb 1, 2009. 2:05 PM
Is it possible to ramp up the board to output only 2 LED strings (each @ 12- 24V)? (I know NOTHING about electronics but am trying to learn) Can microcontroller be programmed to have string "A" slowly get brighter over 30 minutes (to max output) then have string "B" do the same and finally reverse the procedure 10 hours later?
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