Introduction: Blinking LEDs + Controllable Servo
This project consists of two circuits (the blinking LED circuit and the servo motor circuit) connected to the same power source. I intended the circuits to be used as the beginnings of creating a toy robot, but you could probably find a multitude of uses for it.
The controllable servo motor circuit is modified from this project with what parts I had available. I only managed to get about 120º of rotation opposed to the full 180º with my circuit, so if you can get your hands on the parts for that project I would recommend using that as a guide for your servo circuit instead.
The LEDs blink indefinitely, and the servo rotations can be controlled by turning the knob on the potentiometer.
The controllable servo motor circuit is modified from this project with what parts I had available. I only managed to get about 120º of rotation opposed to the full 180º with my circuit, so if you can get your hands on the parts for that project I would recommend using that as a guide for your servo circuit instead.
The LEDs blink indefinitely, and the servo rotations can be controlled by turning the knob on the potentiometer.
Step 1: Parts List
6V battery (I used four 1.5V batteries in a battery pack)
Solderless breadboard
Perforated breadboard
(2) 8-pin sockets
Blinking LEDs:
555 timer integrated circuit
1kΩ resistor
150kΩ resistor
4.7μF capacitor
(2) LEDs
(2) 470Ω resistors
Servo motor:
555 timer integrated circuit
470Ω resistor
LED
220Ω resistor
(2) 1N4148 diodes
10nF nonpolarized capacitor
100nF nonpolarized capacitor
47kΩ resistor
100kΩresistor
100kΩ potentiometer
HS-55 micro servo, but you could probably use any servomotor that gives you 180º rotation
Tools:
Soldering iron
Solder
Solid wire
Stranded wire
Pliers
Wire strippers/cutters
Solderless breadboard
Perforated breadboard
(2) 8-pin sockets
Blinking LEDs:
555 timer integrated circuit
1kΩ resistor
150kΩ resistor
4.7μF capacitor
(2) LEDs
(2) 470Ω resistors
Servo motor:
555 timer integrated circuit
470Ω resistor
LED
220Ω resistor
(2) 1N4148 diodes
10nF nonpolarized capacitor
100nF nonpolarized capacitor
47kΩ resistor
100kΩresistor
100kΩ potentiometer
HS-55 micro servo, but you could probably use any servomotor that gives you 180º rotation
Tools:
Soldering iron
Solder
Solid wire
Stranded wire
Pliers
Wire strippers/cutters
Step 2: Schematic
Step 3: Build It on the Solderless Breadboard
Build your project on a solderless breadboard first! This way you can test if it works and make sure all your connections are correct before you solder everything together.
Step 4: Solder Your Circuit Together
Once you've got the circuits working on the solderless breadboard, you can solder everything to your perforated breadboard. Use a socket to place your chip in so you don't damage the chip while soldering. I recommend soldering parts one at a time to avoid confusing wires and connections. I also ran bare wire across the board as battery and ground connections to keep things organized.
Step 5: Notes
You can vary the length of blinking intervals in the blinking LED circuit by changing the capacitance. You could change to a 10μF capacitor for slower blinking or to a 3.3μF capacitor for faster blinking. However, if the capacitance is too low the blinking may be too fast to show as blinking.
Have fun building!
Have fun building!