Trippy RGB Color Mixing NightLight

Project is based on A Trippy Crystal Nightlight by Charles Platt in Make magazine volume 25, see URL below for additional details. A fun and simple project to get started with PICAXE microcontrollers.

http://www. makezine.com/25/electronics

In this version an inexpensive (> $2.50) AC USB charger provides a traditional plug-in-the-wall nightlight form factor.  I removed download circuitry from the main circuit board and instead program PICAXE 08M microcontrollers on a separate breadboard  - this simplified the main circuit board.  Two 2 Jell-O snack size containers and a little bit of Saran Wrap rather than a quartz crystal diffuse the light, 

Total material cost about  $15.00.  The unit has been running constantly without problems for over  six months.  Electricity usage is almost too low to measure.  Watch YouTube video below to see nightlight cycle through its color changes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7S4kz4ZmyA

 

Step 1 Parts & Tools List

(QTY) / Description / Source / Part No.
(1) 5MM Red LED high brightness Mouser 696-SSL-LX5093XRC/4  http://www.mouser.com
(1) 5MM Green LED high brightness Mouser 696-SSL-LX5093UEGC
(1) 5MM Blue LED high brightness Mouser 696-SSL-LX5093USBC
(20 inches) solid core hook up wire 24 gauge Mouser, Radio Shack or other
(2) 20 ohm 1/4 W resistor Mouser 66-RC07GF200J
(1) 100 ohm 1/4 W resistor Mouser 588-OD101JE
(3) 100K ohm 1/4 W resistor Mouser 291-100K-RC
(1) Perf Board  Radio Shack 276-148
(1) Strip Board 1" by 5/8" Mouser 854-ST3U
(3) PICAXE 08M IC  http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/
(3) 8 Pin DIP IC Socket  Radio Shack 276-1995 or other
(1) Charger USB/AC for MP3 Players - White   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A2BLEC/ref=ox_ya_os_product

 Mechanical
(2) 3.5 oz Jell-O Snack cups Supermarket
(1) Saran Wrap Supermarket
(1) 1 1/4" by 3" sheet metal strip Home Depot or Hardware store
(1 ft) Double side foam tape Hardware store or Radio Shack
(1) scrap piece of cardboard about 3" dia. Supermarket

Programming Tools
(1) Solderless Breadboard Mouser, Radio Shack or other
(1) AXE029 Breadboard Adapter  http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/
(1) AXE0AXE026 - PICAXE Serial Download Cable http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/
OR
(1) AXE027 - PICAXE USB Download Cable http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/
(1) PICAXE Program Editor 
http://www.picaxe.com/Software/PICAXE/PICAXE-Programming-Editor/

Misc Tools
Hot glue gun
Solder and Soldering Iron
Tin Snips