LM3915/LM3916 VU Meter

Step 2 Wire the LM3916 Circuit

You will wire up the circuit following the diagram attached. For a bigger version you can check out the page at N.S..

I skipped two things, I did not use the capacitor as it is only necessary if you have more than 6" of cable between the LEDs and the chip, and I also did not use the 7.5k resistor in the diagram going to pin 6/7. your mileage may vary.

Comments

[Mathieu5555]

Since co'callaghan1 have not been answered, I still do not know what is the Vref, so I put a 10K potentiometer in place of 2 7.5K and 1.3K resistor.
Now I Can ajust the VuMeter. If the sound is not very loud I can raise the level. So its work perfect.
Pot 10K, first pin go to #7
Second to #8 on chip
and third on ground.

[co'callaghan1]

Sorry about those last three posts. I've only got one question. Can you please explain what Vref is and what I'm supposed to do about it? Do I connect it the way it describes or what? It's just confusing because it does not appear to be connecting them. Do I have to do that?

[co'callaghan1]

(removed by author or community request)

[co'callaghan1]

(removed by author or community request)

[Werewolve]

I have 12V car battery. Where can i get the 3V for the Led's? or can i use 12V with a 620Ohm Resistor? Led: 2,25V 20mA

[reverser514]

OH THANK YOU FOR ASKING THIS QUESTION!

I had a couple of tweeters left over from a sub box I scrapped awhile ago. I took some good old wood, cut a circle out of it for the speaker, and left room for LEDs. My only problem is I don't feel like running a wire from the front of the car to the trunk.. maybe I'll just splice it in with my trunk light... :D then it will only turn on when the trunk is open!!! and the crowd goes wild on the thought!!!

[likeastone9999]

you can use 12 volt... but use a 330ohm 1/2 watt 5% tolerance... they work great for led's

[charlieb000]

get a 3v (or so) regulator..

[wootwootman]

is it possible to add a potentiometer in there somewhere to vary the sensitivity of the input?