Strobing LEDs

Thrusterhead Jones · Post by **Thrusterhead Jones** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:21 pm

This is one for our man Sparky or anybody who worked on the J-57 Jefferies Space Station Refit, project dated 11/8/06.

The effect is just what I'm looking for! The problem is the schematic is not there, the links look to be dead, and I can't find any mention in the sticky that I recognize.

What I want consists of two strings of three LEDs each. One string goes flash, flash, then the other string goes flash, flash, with a one-half second gap between strings.

I want to do this as cheaply, easily, and in the most compact package possible.

jwrjr · Post by **jwrjr** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:49 pm

The simplest way that I know of involves a single-chip computer and 2 transistors, and will go on a board of no more than 1 sq. inch (about 6 sq. cm.). Contact me if you want to go that way. (A completed module would run $25 plus shipping.)

Thrusterhead Jones · Post by **Thrusterhead Jones** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:45 am

Yeah, jwrjr- send me all you got on the subject.

jwrjr · Post by **jwrjr** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:20 am

The schematic is simple enough (although I don't know how to attach it here. Give me an email address and I will send it). The program is actually pretty simple. But then I would say that. For what you have described I will sell a programmed chip for $5 plus shipping.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:35 am

Are you talking about the strobe we used for the Sub space antenna array?

This Zogs generic circuit, I think its in the sticky

This circuit:
http://kc6sye.com/techmages_11_10_06.html

Its on the left of board (top view) right of the board (solder side view)

Its a very down and dirty way to play with a strobe if you're not sure what you want and can't reprogram a micro controller, after the setup is installed.

Its the 4060 heart sizzle
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/circuits/4 ... how_to.jpg

jwrjr · Post by **jwrjr** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:54 am

I don't think that anything of mine was used in that project. But if you don't like microcontrollers and just want a strobe, it is easy enough to do with a 555 and a few other parts. Oddly enough the circuit with the microcontroller actually costs less to make (the controller is that inexpensive).

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:17 am

and if you can do a mock up with the light in place on the model, you can work empirically towards getting the effect you want, with the micro controller.

With the 4060 I just to whack at the connections with the pin header till it looked like an antenna tower strobe. There's no guarantee that you can get what you want with out hours of playing around, especially if you fiddle with the clock rate.