LED Chaser Circuit

 

1 Introduction

 

Learn It

  • For this project, you will create your own LED chasing circuit. This circuit uses the 555 timer in the astable configuration feeding into a 4017 decade counter.
  • You can read more about the 555 timer here.
  • You can read more about the 4017 decade counter here.

Make It

  • You below is the circuit diagram and PCB design. You can create your own Circuit Wizard file and design these circuits.
  • Note: The 555 timer can be found in the 'Integrated Circuits' menu in Circuit Wizard.
  • Note: The 4017 decade counter can be found in the '4000B Series' menu in circuit Wizard.

 

  • You will first need to drill the holes using the 1mm PCB drill you used for the soldering license project.
  • Click here to remind yourself of the safety precautions.

  • You can now solder in all of the components, see images below (please note the chip carriers are soldered to the board without the 555 timer and 4017 plugged in).

  • You now need to plug in the 555 timer and the 4017 decade counter.
  • Connect a battery and the circuit should run. By adjusting the potentiometer (the blue component), you can speed up or slow down the speed at which the LEDs move.