34. CD4017 LED Chaser

Here is a simple project you can try, and possibly implant for future use: The LED Chaser. This circuit utilizes 2 IC chips, the CD4017, and a NE555 timer, as well as 10 LEDs, and other discrete components. When they are wired up, it creates a Persistence of vision, in which it seems like the led light was moving, but it's actually one led that flashes on and off in a sequence.

<Pre-assembly>

The way it works is that the 555 chip creates a PWM signal, which triggers the 4017, and so turns on the LEDs. In close detail, as the 555 generates a wave, it triggers the 4017, which on the output of the 4017, it turns on the LED, then turns it off when the output goes to another led, from the PWM signal. The led sequence can go fast, or slow, just by adjusting the potentiometer, so that the PWM will also be adjusted.

<Lights>

As shown in the pictures, it utilizes the breadboard as a method for circuit prototyping. Before you can solder the circuit to the PCB, you need to test out the circuit first before trying. If you solder the circuit without testing it on the breadboard, not knowing about the functions, it may or may not work.

Anyhow, his circuit can be used for any kind of application, usually when it comes to light decorations, light costumes, and so on! As shown in the pictures, this is on a breadboard, so it can be made with a PCB, to make it as smaller, and more compact as possible.

 

<Test> 

<Circuit>