Matt circuit

This circuit uses low-voltage AC to drive a string of 50 or so bi-color LEDs (two LEDs connected in inverse parallel). Power to the LEDs is controlled by the Triac and the two optocouplers which have their photo-transistors effectively connected in inverse-parallel. Depending on which optocoupler is turned on, the Triac applies positive, negative or both half-cycles to the LEDs and so the colours can be red, green or in-between. Switch S1 is used to select the pulses from two oscillators which are formed by the NAND gates in IC1 (4011B). This provides a variety of LED flash patterns, depending on the setting of S1. Circuit diagram: Author: Matthew Peterson - Copyright: Silicon Chip Electronics

This Outdoor LED Solar Garden Lights project is a hobby circuit of an automatic garden light using a LDR and 6V/5W solar panel. During day time, the internal rechargeable 6 Volt SLA battery receives charging current from the connected solar panel through polarity protection diode D9 and current limiting resistor R10. If ambient light is normal, transistor T1 is reverse biased by IC1 (LM555). Here IC1 is wired as a medium current inverting line driver, switched by an encapsulated light detector (10mm LDR). Multi-turn trimpot P1 sets the detection sensitivity. When ambient light dims, transistor T1 turns on to drive the white LED string (D1-D8). Now this lamp load at the output of T1 energizes. Resistors R1-R8 limits the operating current of the LEDs. When the ambient light level restores, circuit returns to its idle state and light(s) switched off by the circuit. Circuit diagram: Outdoor Garden Solar Lights Circuit Diagram Assemble the Outdoor Solar Lights circuit on a general pur...

This project is a remake of an old discolights pod. Original 24V 5W bulbs are changed to 230V 40W with E14 thread. Original driver board has non-typical signal input. This driver is based on the FT245RL chip, a USB-LPT converter – so you can use it with PC applications such as discolitez. Low voltage part is supplied directly from the USB so there is no need to to use any transformer… Device uses a MOC3041 optotriac and a BT136 triac in a standard application to drive bulbs. Note if you want to use stronger bulbs, like 100W or more, you need to use some little radiators to cool down the triacs. There are 4 channels, 3 are used for bulbs and 4th is used as an extra 230V output – in this case for a mini strobe. You can find 4 goldpins on board, these are a 4 extra output channels – so you can expand device to another optotriacs and triacs to use 4 more 230V devices. To your own safety, use a proper fuse, and remember that device works on a 230V potential. You can use it with 110V devices...

Here's a clever circuit using two 555's to produce a set of traffic lights for a model layout. The animation shows the lighting sequence and this follows the Australian-standard. The red LED has an equal on-off period and when it is off, the first 555 delivers power to the second 555. This illuminates the Green LED and then the second 555 changes state to turn off the Green LED and turn on the Orange LED for a short period of time before the first 555 changes state to turn off the second 555 and turn on the red LED. A supply voltage of 9v to 12v is needed because the second 555 receives a supply of about 2v less than rail. This circuit also shows how to connect LEDs high and low to a 555 and also turn off the 555 by controlling the supply to pin 8.  Connecting the LEDs high and low to pin 3 will not work and since pin 7 is in phase with pin 3, it can be used to advantage in this design. 

This project is a remake of an old discolights pod. Original 24V 5W bulbs are changed to 230V 40W with E14 thread. Original driver board has non-typical signal input. This driver is based on the FT245RL chip, a USB-LPT converter – so you can use it with PC applications such as discolitez. Low voltage part is supplied directly from the USB so there is no need to to use any transformer…   Device uses a MOC3041 optotriac and a BT136 triac in a standard application to drive bulbs. Note if you want to use stronger bulbs, like 100W or more, you need to use some little radiators to cool down the triacs. There are 4 channels, 3 are used for bulbs and 4th is used as an extra 230V output – in this case for a mini strobe. You can find 4 goldpins on board, these are a 4 extra output channels – so you can expand device to another optotriacs and triacs to use 4 more 230V devices. To your own safety, use a proper fuse, and remember that device works on a 230V potential. You can use it with 110V d...

This diy sound activated lights circuit turns a lamp ON for a short duration when the dog barks (or a relatively strong sound) giving an impression that the occupants have been alerted. The condenser microphone fitted in a place to monitor sound and generates AC signals, which pass through DC blocking capacitor C1 to the base of transistor BC549 (T1). Transistor T1 along with transistor T2 amplifies the sound signals and provides current pulses from the collector of T2. When sound is produced in front of the condenser mic, triac1 (BT136) fires, activates lights and the bulb (B1) glows for about two minutes. Assemble the sound activated lights circuit on a general purpose PCB (circuit board) and enclose in a plastic cabinet. Power to the sound activated switch circuit can be derived from a 12V, 500mA step-down transformer with rectifier and smoothing capacitor. Solder the triac ensuring sufficient spacing between the pins to avoid short circuit. Fix the unit in the dog’s cage or close t...

Now we're going to talk about the selection of LED strip lights for home decoration. You should pay attention to the following notes on how to select LED strip lights. Why LED strips are always recommended for home decoration? Because: 1. LED strip light is soft. It can curl like power wire. 2. It can be cut and connected. 3. The bulb and the circuit is completely encapsulated in a flexible plastic cover, which ensures a good insulation, waterproof, safe condition in use. 4. LED strips are weather resistance(-20-50 ℃). LED strip lighting for home decoration 5. It's not easy to break. Besides, it has a long life, up to 80,000 ~ 100,000 hours. 6. It's easy to make graphics, text and other shapes. 7. It has rich colors. The color effects include white, green, yellow, red, orange, warm white, red and blue, purple, or mixed colors. 8. Energy-saving and eco-friendly. Cold light, No radiation, no mercury elements, no harmful substances. 9. Easy installation. Widely used in home de...

This Outdoor LED Solar Garden Lights project is a hobby circuit of an automatic garden light using a LDR and 6V/5W solar panel. During day time, the internal rechargeable 6 Volt SLA battery receives charging current from the connected solar panel through polarity protection diode D9 and current limiting resistor R10. If ambient light is normal, transistor T1 is reverse biased by IC1 (LM555). Here IC1 is wired as a medium current inverting line driver, switched by an encapsulated light detector (10mm LDR). Multi-turn trimpot P1 sets the detection sensitivity. When ambient light dims, transistor T1 turns on to drive the white LED string (D1-D8). Now this lamp load at the output of T1 energizes. Resistors R1-R8 limits the operating current of the LEDs. When the ambient light level restores, circuit returns to its idle state and light(s) switched off by the circuit. Outdoor Garden Solar Lights Circuit Diagram Assemble the Outdoor Solar Lights circuit on a general purpose PCB and enclose t...