Introduction: My First Circuit: a Blinking LED
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About: A geek traveling the world!
I am really thankful for Instructables and JameCo for the opportunity to learn an be part of such an awesome community!
When I received my bag of goodies, I had no idea what to do with them. I did know that LEDs would be involved add there were quite a few of them. I also learned a little bit about the 555 timer, so I went on a hunt to find simple circuits I could build both with and without the 555 timer. These three instructables were incredibly enlightening and only served to make me wasn't to learn more!
For Mt first one, I did s nice and simple blinking LED and it all started with a breadboard and a 555 timer
When I received my bag of goodies, I had no idea what to do with them. I did know that LEDs would be involved add there were quite a few of them. I also learned a little bit about the 555 timer, so I went on a hunt to find simple circuits I could build both with and without the 555 timer. These three instructables were incredibly enlightening and only served to make me wasn't to learn more!
For Mt first one, I did s nice and simple blinking LED and it all started with a breadboard and a 555 timer
Step 1: The Parts
I found this nice and simple video on a blinking circuit. Here is a screen capture of the diagram and parts list.
Step 2: First Step, Jumper 1
Place a jumper from pin 2 to pin 6.
Step 3: First Resistor
Place a 33K resistor from pin 2 to pin 7.
Step 4: Second Resistor
Place a 100K resistor from pin 7 to + power
Step 5: Add in the Capacitor
Add the capacitor from pin 2 to - ground.
The instructions called for a 10uF capacitor. Best I could do was find a 33uF. The only difference is the speed at which the LED blinks. If you want to see the blinks, don't do much higher than this as the rate slows down quite a bit at 2300uFs :D
The instructions called for a 10uF capacitor. Best I could do was find a 33uF. The only difference is the speed at which the LED blinks. If you want to see the blinks, don't do much higher than this as the rate slows down quite a bit at 2300uFs :D
Step 6: Add the LED
Add the LED from pin 3 to any open line. More connections to be added to this.
Step 7: Resistor #3
Add a 1K Resistor from the LED to the ground.
Step 8: Jumper #2
Huh, I just realized that I have no idea why I added this jumper. It doens't connect to anything. I'll just chalk this up to simple mis-reading of the diagram that luckily, didn;t blow anything up :)
Step 9: Jumper #2 (for Real This Time)
Add a jumper from pin 1 to ground.
Step 10: Jumper #3
Add a jumper from pin 8 to + power
Step 11: Adding Power, Almost
I'm not sure why the Positive line is added first from the 9V battery but I decided to follow the instructions verbatum. In my automotive days, I always ha the ground hooked up first, just in case something connected and the power had some place to go. Someone will hopefully comment on this.
Step 12: Power!
And now we all connected! Ain't she a beaut! Uhh....hmmm....maybe this Red LED ain't so bright on camera....hang on.
Step 13: Let's Try This
Swapped in a white LED that I got a few years back but never did much with them.
Step 14: Another Angle of the Setup
Looks about right, save that random jumper.
Step 15: Ah HA!
Success! We have light!
And video to prove it works too. yay!
(In case the vid doesn't work, you can see it here http://youtu.be/fC82ExxCrSE)
Thank you Instructables and JameCo(http://jameco.com/)!
And video to prove it works too. yay!
(In case the vid doesn't work, you can see it here http://youtu.be/fC82ExxCrSE)
Thank you Instructables and JameCo(http://jameco.com/)!
Step 16: Video
Here is the video of the working circuit. Nothing blew up :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC82ExxCrSE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC82ExxCrSE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
