Lite Brite pegs look like LED's don't they? That's what I though the other day after working on an LED cube for a few hours. I happened to see my daughter's Lite Brite sitting there, and I looked at the pile of LED's on my desk. What a perfect match!
In this instructable I will show you how to make a Lite Brite clock using a Lite Brite, an Arduino, 46 LED's and a few other miscellaneous parts.
This project is an upper-beginner level project. The most difficult part of building the Lite Brite clock is the soldering. The soldering is fairly detailed and intricate. You can very easily short two leads or two wires together, or break solder joints when you're closing the project up. You need to be very precise and detailed in your inspection of your work.
The code I wrote is fairly straightforward, and you can either just use my code, or use it as an example to come up with your own. I don't claim to be a programmer, but i get by.
You can find more about the Lite Brite clock at my blog at http://www.meanpc.com/2012/08/arduino-lite-brite-clock-project_3.html
Ready to build? Let's go!
I documented nearly the entire build with a video camera and photos. Watching the video is not necessary if you follow the steps, but it might help you through some tricky parts. Always be sure to defer to the written instruction when there is a difference. I changed my mind about several things during the build and they had to be redone - but I left the video intact so you could see the entire process.
In this instructable I will show you how to make a Lite Brite clock using a Lite Brite, an Arduino, 46 LED's and a few other miscellaneous parts.
This project is an upper-beginner level project. The most difficult part of building the Lite Brite clock is the soldering. The soldering is fairly detailed and intricate. You can very easily short two leads or two wires together, or break solder joints when you're closing the project up. You need to be very precise and detailed in your inspection of your work.
The code I wrote is fairly straightforward, and you can either just use my code, or use it as an example to come up with your own. I don't claim to be a programmer, but i get by.
You can find more about the Lite Brite clock at my blog at http://www.meanpc.com/2012/08/arduino-lite-brite-clock-project_3.html
Ready to build? Let's go!
I documented nearly the entire build with a video camera and photos. Watching the video is not necessary if you follow the steps, but it might help you through some tricky parts. Always be sure to defer to the written instruction when there is a difference. I changed my mind about several things during the build and they had to be redone - but I left the video intact so you could see the entire process.
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Signing UpStep 1: Parts and Tools
Note: The parts in the following list have changed since the video was shot. Use the parts below.
Parts
1 Lite Brite
1 Arduino Uno or equivalent.
46 LED's - I used 5mm. Diffused LED's will save you some work.
Twelve 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistors
Hookup wire - 20 or 22 gauge, or both. For wires connecting to the Arduino, I recommend 20 gauge for a tight fit.
Small perfboard, breadboard or whatever you would like to use to mount the 12 resistors feeding each column of LED's. I used a small piece of perfboard.
Velcro - applied to the back of the Arduino and perfboard and the inside of the Lite Brite to secure the electronics.
Black construction paper - alternatively, you could use some of the paper that came with the Lite Brite if you still have it.
Solder
Tools
Needle nose pliers
Diagonal cutters
Wire strippers
Scissors
Soldering iron
Multimeter
Sandpaper or sanding block if you don't use diffuse LED's. I used a 320 grit sanding sponge.
Optional - alligator clips - I found these very helpful when testing the LED matrix.
Parts
1 Lite Brite
1 Arduino Uno or equivalent.
46 LED's - I used 5mm. Diffused LED's will save you some work.
Twelve 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistors
Hookup wire - 20 or 22 gauge, or both. For wires connecting to the Arduino, I recommend 20 gauge for a tight fit.
Small perfboard, breadboard or whatever you would like to use to mount the 12 resistors feeding each column of LED's. I used a small piece of perfboard.
Velcro - applied to the back of the Arduino and perfboard and the inside of the Lite Brite to secure the electronics.
Black construction paper - alternatively, you could use some of the paper that came with the Lite Brite if you still have it.
Solder
Tools
Needle nose pliers
Diagonal cutters
Wire strippers
Scissors
Soldering iron
Multimeter
Sandpaper or sanding block if you don't use diffuse LED's. I used a 320 grit sanding sponge.
Optional - alligator clips - I found these very helpful when testing the LED matrix.
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to something else. I'm a beginner...
The code should work as is. Analog pins A0,A1,A2... can be used as analog or digital pins. You can reference them in your program as either A0,A1.... or as 14,15,16... It will work either way.
You building a clock? If you endup having trouble, drop me a line and I'll take a look.
thanks for your explanation on how to use analogs as digitals. I will have to scavenge for parts.
If i ever get it made I will post some pics.
I think what i really want is a circuit without Arduino, please show us the circuit with complete chips and the programming
The code is listed in step 12.
I'm afraid I can't help you with a non-Arduino design - I'm a beginner myself. Are you looking to go with a different micro-controller, or are you just going to do it with IC logic?