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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
  • Date Created: 26 Nov 2019 5:29 PM Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated: 14 Jul 2022 1:53 PM
  • Views 1332 views
  • Likes 4 likes
  • Comments 5 comments
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The Learning Circuit: 63: LED Dominos Using a 555 Timer

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LED Dominos Using a 555 Timer

The Learning Circuit | element14 presents |  Project Videos

 

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In the last lesson, we learned what happens inside a 555 timer to make it work. In today’s episode, Karen uses 555 timers to make LED “dominos”. Each unit has an LED connected to the output of a 555 timer and an LDR attached to the trigger. When the LDR senses light, the 555 is triggered turning the light on for a brief period of time. When multiple units are placed in a row, each one triggers the next. The duration that each light is on is determined by an “RC circuit” made of a resistor and capacitor. Changing their values can change the duration that the light is on.

 

The idea for this project came from a video made by Randy Elwin back in 2011. Karen uses his idea to make a similar device to show off using a 555 timer in a monostable circuit. (Learn more about monostable circuits in the NEXT lesson about 555 timers.) Shining a light on the LDR triggers Pin 2 and the 555 is “set” on. The RC circuit connected to pins 6 & 7 eventually cause the voltage at Pin 6 to go High enough to reset the 555, turning the LED off.

 

Bill of Material:

 

Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy KitBuy Kit
Electrolytic Capacitor, Miniature, 100 µF, 50 V, HE Series, ± 20%, Radial Leaded, 8 mm nichicon 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Ceramic Disc Capacitor, 0.01 µF, 100 V, ± 20%, 5 mm Vishay 1 Buy NowBuy Now
LM555CN - Timer, Oscillator & Pulse Generator IC, TTL Compatible, Astable, Monostable, 4.5 V to 16 V, DIP-8 On Semiconductor 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Through Hole Resistor, 220 ohm, 400 mW, ± 1% Vishay 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Through Hole Resistor, 10 kohm, 250 mW, ± 1% TE Connectivity 2 Buy NowBuy Now
Photo Resistor Adafruit 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Prototype Board, 25 x 15 grid, 1.6 mm, 72 mm, 47 mm Multicomp 1 Buy NowBuy Now
LED, Cool White, Through Hole, T-1 3/4 (5mm), 20 mA, 3.2 V Cree 1 Buy NowBuy Now
9V battery snap, flexible Multicomp 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Battery, 9 V, PP3, Alkaline, 565 mAh Pro Elec 1 Buy NowBuy Now
Hook-up Wire Spool Set - 22AWG Solid Core - 10 x 25ft Adafruit 1 Buy NowBuy Now
  • 9v battery snap
  • tlc
  • hook-up wire spool set
  • e14presents_karencorbeill
  • e14presents_makerkaren
  • through hole resistor
  • ceramic disc capacitor
  • ldr
  • prototype board
  • dominos
  • 555 timer
  • led
  • photo resistor
  • 555 timers
  • electrolytic capacitor
  • 555
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Top Comments

  • phoenixcomm
    phoenixcomm over 3 years ago +2
    Really Nice explanation of a 555 just a note there is a very nice 555 Timer - Frequency and Duty Cycle Calculator here ! >>>> remember what an engineer does: Always know where to find the answer! Not necessarily…
  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 3 years ago +1
    Another great Learning Circuit episode. The original design looks like it uses the TI TLC555CP CMOS version of the 555 timer which looks like it works down to a supply voltage of 2v, which should work…
  • clem57
    clem57 over 3 years ago +1
    Thanks makerkaren for a great leaning episode and fun too. Clem
  • clem57
    clem57 over 3 years ago

    Thanks makerkaren for a great leaning episode and fun too.

    Clem

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  • phoenixcomm
    phoenixcomm over 3 years ago

    Really Nice explanation of a 555

    just a note there is a very nice 555 Timer - Frequency and Duty Cycle Calculator here!

      >>>> remember what an engineer does: Always know where to find the answer! Not necessarily the answer itself!!

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  • DAB
    DAB over 3 years ago

    Good episode.

     

    DAB

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  • makerkaren
    makerkaren over 3 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

    I think you're right about him using a CMOS 555. I didn't have any around and didn't have time to wait for some to get shipped to me, so I worked with what I had. Great observation!

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 3 years ago

    Another great Learning Circuit episode.

     

    The original design looks like it uses the TI TLC555CP CMOS version of the 555 timer which looks like it works down to a supply voltage of 2v, which should work off the 3v button cell shown.   

     

    To keep e14mindi happy  ( https://www.element14.com/community/message/285783/l/get-a-gold-star-by-citing-your-sources#285783 ) I think the Randy Elwin video referred to is perhaps this one:

     

    'Le Dominoux'

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQOjkuJtBfM

    which appears to have been an entry for the 2011 555 timer contest.

     

    It is worth a watch anyway to see some of the scaled up versions in action.

    Did someone mention Xmas lights ?  image

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