Make Your Own LED Stroboscope
Intro: Make Your Own LED Stroboscope
In this project I will show you how the stroboscopic effect works and how we can use it to determine the RPM of a motor. Also I will be showing you how to create a simple LED stroboscope at home by utilizing an Arduino or a 555 Timer circuit. Let's get started!
STEP 1: Watch the Video!
The videos gives you all the information you need to create your own LED Stroboscope. During the next steps though I will present you some additional information.
STEP 2: Get Your Components!
Here you can find a parts list with example seller for the 555 Timer circuit (affiliate links):
Aliexpress:
1x TLC555: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTrUY9D
1x TC4420: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d9epnMB
1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWhSrDl
1x 100W High Power LED: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWfQbNq
1x 7815 Voltage Regulator: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6rQN6C
1x 50k Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
1x 25k Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
2x 1N4148 Diodes: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh
2x 4.7uF, 1x 100uF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz
1x 0.1uF, 1x 470nF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB
Ebay:
1x TLC555: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x TC4420: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 100W High Power LED: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 7815 Voltage Regulator: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 50k Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 25k Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x 1N4148 Diodes: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x 4.7uF, 1x 100uF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 0.1uF, 1x 470nF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Amazon.de:
1x TLC555: https://amzn.to/2Ce14Lt
1x TC4420: https://amzn.to/2Cbcv6F
1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: https://amzn.to/2OUsz3q
1x 100W High Power LED: -
1x 7815 Voltage Regulator: https://amzn.to/2CfsdxK
1x 50k Potentiometer: https://amzn.to/2IXIVD6
1x 25k Potentiometer: https://amzn.to/2IXIVD6
2x 1N4148 Diodes: https://amzn.to/2RLG6ZC
2x 4.7uF, 1x 100uF Capacitor: https://amzn.to/2OSYIsc
1x 0.1uF, 1x 470nF Capacitor: https://amzn.to/2Ce1Fgb
STEP 3: Build the 555 Timer Circuit!
Here you can find the schematic and reference pictures of my 555 timer circuit. Feel free to use them.
STEP 4: Do the Wiring!
Here you can find the final wiring schematic for my stroboscope light as well as pictures of my distribution box.
STEP 5: Bonus: the Arduino Circuit!
If anyone is interested in creating the Arduino circuit that was featured in the video, then you can find the schematic and the code for it here.
STEP 6: Success!
You did it! You just created your own LED Stroboscope!
Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects: http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:
20 Comments
GáborS4 1 year ago
I like to use yxo ultra bright integrated driver led up to 100w direct 115/230v input from wall
I forget This is only operate DC?
Thx 👍🏻⬆️
Martin T 3 years ago
Could i use a small relay connected to the Arduino that, when triggered turns on power to the boost converter, this way it will only be on when the alarm is triggered.
Thanks for your help and thank you for your videos on youtube and your instructabables, i get lost some times with youtube videos as i am only an amateur.
Thanks again.
Regards Martin.
RicoW2 5 years ago
Also, wondering what freq range it handles, ballpark...? Thanks.
LuigiTime9. 5 years ago
ronasalem 5 years ago
rgco 5 years ago
https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Precisio...
mihaelj 5 years ago
hubi 5 years ago
AndyS19 5 years ago
Nice project, and I'm going to definitely try this. One question though, I usually connect IRLZ44N directly to arduino, with 10K pullup resistor. Why do we need the TC4420 MOSFET driver in this setup? what's the design consideration for using it?
thanks,
GreatScottLab 5 years ago
jperch 5 years ago
My guess would be to have the IRLZ44N turn on and off as fast as possible. I am further guessing that the stroboscopic effects depend on how fast you can turn on and off the LED's. According to the datasheet, this FET has a total gate charge of 48nC. I believe that driver is capable of providing up to 6A of drive current. This is significantly more than a typical Arduino output can provide.
I believe driving the FET directly with an Arduino output would work as far as turning the LED's on and off. But you might notice a degradation in the stroboscopic effects.
In addition to that, only driving the gate to 5V will result in an Rdson that is a bit higher than it could be resulting in wasted power and excess heat on the FET. You can see from his schematic that he is using 15V to power the driver. This means the gate of the FET will be driven to near 15V when turned on. This will mean a lower Rdson and less heat in the FET. Remember that LED is pulling 3.5A.
I hope that is helpful,
Joe
kkb3 5 years ago
GreatScottLab 5 years ago
ResoCole2015 5 years ago
doer_1 5 years ago
Strobeoscopes DO NOT cause Epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder, that causes people to have recurring seizures.
Get the facts...
https://medlineplus.gov/epilepsy.html
LouwC1 5 years ago
jperch 5 years ago
You could probably drive a single, 5mm LED directly from the 555 timer. Looking at a datasheet for the 555, it looks like it can pull down better than pull up. So, you would probably want to wire the LED so that the anode is connected to VDD through a resistor and the cathode to the 555 output. You could then leave out U1, U1 and Q1 and power the whole thing off of 12V.
Of course, it won't be any where near as bright as what he is showing in his video.
I hope this is helpful,
Joe
gm280 5 years ago
Nice project. I actually have an old original tube version of the StrobeScope. And while you have to turn it on and wait for the tube filaments to heat up first, it does work perfectly yet.
colt3003 5 years ago
Nice project !
what is missing is the type of the voltage converter you used (where-to-buy suggestion would also be great)
Thanks in advance
GreatScottLab 5 years ago
I talked about the converter. It was a boost converter which can output 90V max and 1500W. Should be pretty easy to find with those specs on Ebay/Amazon.