Christmas Decoration Project
Building the Circuit
Begin by soldering the components onto the stripboard as shown in the diagram above. Do not insert the 4060B IC at this stage.
Cut out a suitable shape from stiff card (or similar material). Paint or colour the card at this stage if necessary.
Plan the layout of the 18 LEDs (suggested positions are marked on our template).
Drill 5mm holes for the LEDs - put the card on a piece of scrap wood to do this without damaging the card or the table.
Push LEDs into the holes, they should be a fairly tight fit and glue should not be necessary.
Label the LEDs D1 - D18 at random on the back of the card.
This project flashes 18 LEDs at three different rates and you can use these to create a Christmas decoration of your choice. The circuit is kept simple (and cheap!) by using the 4060B IC which is a counter and oscillator (clock) in one package. The circuit requires a 9V supply, such as a PP3 battery. It will not work with lower voltages and a higher voltage will destroy the LEDs.
The preset variable resistor can be used to adjust the oscillator frequency and this determines the flash rate of the LEDs. The IC limits the current to and from its outputs so the LEDs can be safely connected without resistors in series to limit the current. The stripboard part of the circuit is easy to build but the wiring for the LEDs needs care so detailed instructions are provided below.
The preset variable resistor can be used to adjust the oscillator frequency and this determines the flash rate of the LEDs. The IC limits the current to and from its outputs so the LEDs can be safely connected without resistors in series to limit the current. The stripboard part of the circuit is easy to build but the wiring for the LEDs needs care so detailed instructions are provided below.
Parts Required
>>resistors: 10k, 470k
>>preset: 47k (this could be 100k if necessary)
>>capacitor: 0.1µF
>>4060B IC
>>16-pin DIL socket for IC
>>LEDs × 18, 5mm diameter, any mix of colours: red, orange, amber, yellow or green
>>on/off switch
>>battery clip for 9V PP3
>>stripboard 13 rows × 18 holes
>>preset: 47k (this could be 100k if necessary)
>>capacitor: 0.1µF
>>4060B IC
>>16-pin DIL socket for IC
>>LEDs × 18, 5mm diameter, any mix of colours: red, orange, amber, yellow or green
>>on/off switch
>>battery clip for 9V PP3
>>stripboard 13 rows × 18 holes
Stripboard Layout
Building the Circuit
Begin by soldering the components onto the stripboard as shown in the diagram above. Do not insert the 4060B IC at this stage.
Arranging the LEDs:
Cut out a suitable shape from stiff card (or similar material). Paint or colour the card at this stage if necessary.
Plan the layout of the 18 LEDs (suggested positions are marked on our template).
Drill 5mm holes for the LEDs - put the card on a piece of scrap wood to do this without damaging the card or the table.
Push LEDs into the holes, they should be a fairly tight fit and glue should not be necessary.
Label the LEDs D1 - D18 at random on the back of the card.