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"Dark Detector" using a 555 timer IC

\"Dark Detector\" using a 555 timer IC
Well, this is my first instructable (yay) so, here it goes!

This is a Dark Detector circuit that utilizes 1) the astable ocillator that you can make with a 555 to drive a piezo and 2) the reset threshold of the chip.

Credits to Tony van Roon for the circuit diagram.


For Halloween:
I'm planning to either
1) combine it with a strobe light so with each "off" cycle, it screeches or
2) Put it over the doorbell (so it can be used seasonally too! :  ] )


 
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Step 1Step One: Gather the Parts

Step One: Gather the Parts
_Parts_

555 Timer IC (I used a Texas Instruments NE555P, you can use pretty much any other brand)
A breadboard (doesn't have to be big)
Some wire; bare or stripped (you can use staples if they are thin enough)
One 1 megaohm resistor
One 100K resistor
One 100 ohm resistor (a 100 ohm potentiometer is better but optional)
One 1000 picofarad capacitor (in nanofarads: 1 nF in microfarads: .001 uF)
A Cds cell
A Piezo siren/buzzer

_Notes_
The resistor values can be experimented with but I reccomend these values for the most sucess.
The piezo can also be a speaker.
The capacitor value should probably stay the same.
You can try different Cds cells.

A great place to find components is the Electronic Goldmine: http://www.goldmine-elec.com
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26 comments
May 7, 2011. 12:37 PMkansari says:
my projct is automtic street light,same as dark detector,i make some changes in circuit,it runs perfectly.in my circuit
1:pin 1 ground.
2:pin 2 connected with capacitor which is grounded also it also short with pin 6 and connected with one end of potentio meter,pin 7 with other end of potentio meter
3:one leg of ldr connected with ground and othr goes in pin 4 which is reset
pin 3 is output pin.
but matter is i cant understand the function of reset pin,please explain me in digital\logic lang.
May 7, 2011. 12:26 PMkansari says:
i want to know how in this circuit reset pin works?
Apr 30, 2011. 11:58 PMjashshah says:
can u please explain how this circuit works?????
Dec 26, 2010. 6:38 PMcoleyy says:
what are the codes for a 1m resistor and a 0.001uf mylar capacitor
Nov 6, 2010. 10:40 PMcheche12 says:
is it ok if i replace the buzzer with an LED??? how many LED can i put on it??/
Oct 22, 2010. 4:28 PMBSN4_N says:
WHere does the 3rd lead go ? and which wire does the first lead of the potentiometer go?
Aug 23, 2010. 9:46 PMamorarun says:
Instead of a piezo will a relay work. I need a dark detecting circuit which could turn on/off a relay. I tried some other circuits but I failed don't know where I went wrong.
Aug 5, 2010. 6:59 AMhackman88 says:
I also using 555ic For Dark Detector i Haven't tried This Try using Rely For other Function its Cool Ill GIve you My Schematic For that Itseasy to Troubleshoot...
Mar 11, 2010. 8:50 PMZem says:
 Second and sixth? Looks like 8th and 4th to me.
Apr 5, 2010. 6:14 PMZem says:
 No prob =)
Mar 9, 2010. 3:21 AMOnCrowsWings says:
I was wondering if there is a way to make this give a double beep, a second of silence and then a double beep again? Like you would normally here a cricket do.. and without an audrino...
Mar 3, 2010. 11:20 AMoweng4000 says:
et omnis?
Mar 3, 2010. 8:58 AMoweng4000 says:
if i bumped up the capacitence and changed out the buzzer for an led what would happen? an Led flasher that would shut it self off constantly?
Jan 18, 2010. 6:34 PMkoolariz says:
 hey,
what's the output of your schematic?
could it drive a BLUE led? with a smaller voltage supply?
Aug 31, 2009. 2:34 AMSmokedasphalt says:
Well formatted..! And a very good instructable for beginners' electronics! And a circuit diagram is needed! :)
Sep 1, 2009. 2:55 AMSmokedasphalt says:
Oh, come on! You've copied the circuit diagram from Tony van Roon's website!!
Atleast mention him in the instructable!
Sep 2, 2009. 7:19 AMSmokedasphalt says:
No problem! :)
Aug 30, 2009. 9:37 PMhominid says:
Very nice and well constructed, but could I be a pain and ask for the circuit diagram? Thank you, Steve.

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Author:dandeeman(ddm!)
I am currently a middle school student. I am primarily interested in the realms of computers and electronics, but I also enjoy playing the piano.