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LED Running Lights Circuits

JULY 28, 2017 BY ADMINISTRATOR 3 COMMENTS

Contents [hide]

1 Simple LED Running Light Circuit (Flashing LEDs)

1.1 Circuit Diagram
1.2 Components Required
1.3 Working of the Project
2 LED Chaser Circuit using CD4017 and 555
2.1 Circuit Diagram
2.2 Components Required
2.3 Working of the Project
3 Two Way Running LEDs with 11 LEDs, CD4017 and 555 Timer IC
3.1 Circuit Diagram
3.2 Components Required
3.3 Working of the Project
4 Circuit Diagram of LED Knight Rider Circuit Diagram:
4.1 Components Required for the Circuit:
4.2 Description:
5 Related Articles

In this article, we will see different LED Running Lights Circuits, which are also called as LED
Knight Rider Circuit. These circuits can be employed on a car, motor cycle, bike etc. as they
will present an eye catching look to the viewers.

We have created 4 different LED Running Lights Circuits using very simple components. In the
first circuit, we have implemented a Flashing LEDs with the help of transistor based Astable
Multivibrator.

The second circuit is based on IC CD4017, where we have Chasing LEDs. In this, the LEDs
simply turn on one after the other in a sequential fashion. The third circuit is also implemented
using CD4017. In this circuit, the LEDs will glow in a different pattern i.e. two way running LEDs.

In the final circuit, the LED initially travel in the one way and then travel in reverse direction. It
means, the pattern is same as a pendulum as it travels back and forth.

This circuit can be utilized for the beautification of the car or it can be helpful at the time of
crisis when your car broke down and you need help.

We will see the details of each of these circuits like circuit diagram, components required and
working in the following sections.

Related Post: LED Christmas Lights Circuit

Simple LED Running Light Circuit (Flashing LEDs)

In this project, we have designed a simple Flashing LED Circuit. We have used two sets of
LEDs (3 on one side and 3 on the other) that will be turned on alternatively so that the outcome
is a bright flashing LEDs.
Circuit Diagram

Components Required
2 x 2N2222A (NPN Transistor)
2 x 22F 50V Capacitor (Polarised)
2 x 46 K Resistor (1/4 Watt)
6 x 8mm Bright White LED
12V Power Supply
Connecting Wires
Breadboard
Working of the Project
From the circuit diagram, it is clear that the project is based on simple Astable or a Free
Running Multivibrator. When switch on the circuit, one transistor will be ON (in Saturation) and
the other will be OFF (Cutoff).

Assuming Q1 is ON and Q2 is OFF, the Capacitor C2 will charge through series LEDs. Since the
LEDs are connected in the path of the current, they will light up.

During this time, the transistor Q2 is OFF because of the discharging capacitor C1 (as the
negative plate is connected to the base of Q2). After the time constant C1R1, the capacitor C1 is
completely discharged and starts charging through R1.

The charging direction is reverse. As the capacitor charges, it builds up sufficient voltage (0.7V)
to turn ON the transistor Q2. At this time, the capacitor C2 starts discharging through Q2.

As the plate of the capacitor C2, which is connected to the base of the transistor Q1, becomes
negative, the transistor Q1 is turned OFF and this set of LEDs are turned OFF.

Now, the capacitor C1 starts to charge from the corresponding series LEDs (through base of
Q2). As this set of LEDs are connected in the current path, they will be turned ON.

Now the capacitor C2 discharges and after complete discharge, it will start charging through
R2. As the charge builds up in the capacitor C2, when the voltage reaches 0.7V, it will turn ON
the transistor Q1. From this point the process repeats as earlier.

LED Chaser Circuit using CD4017 and 555

The second project in the LED Knight Rider Series is an LED Chaser circuit using CD4017
Decade Counter and 555 Timer IC. We will see the circuit diagram, components used and the
working of this project
Circuit Diagram

Components Required
1 x CD4017 Decade Counter IC
1 x 555 Timer IC
1 x 18 K Resistor (1/4 Watt)
1 x 2.2 K Resistor (1/4 Watt)
1 x 100 K Potentiometer
1 x 1 F 50V Capacitor (Polarised)
1 x 0.1 nF Ceramic Disc Capacitor (100 pF code 101)
10 x 8mm Bright White LEDs
Connecting Wires
5V Power Supply
Breadboard

Working of the Project

In this project, we have designed a simple LED Chaser Circuit, where the LEDs turn ON one
after the other and give us the effect of one LED chasing the other. We will now see the
working of this project.

First thing we notice in the circuit diagram is that there are two parts in the circuit: the 555
Timer part and the CD4017 Decade Counter IC part with LEDs. The 555 Timer IC in this project
is configured as an Astable Multivibrator.

In this mode, it generates a pulse whose frequency is determined by the components R1 (2.2
K), R2 (18 K), VR1 (100 K) and C1 (1F). The frequency of the pulse can be controlled by
adjusting the 100 K POT.

This pulse is given to the CD4017 Decade Counter IC as its clock input. By understanding the
working of CD4017, for every clock pulse it receives at the Clock Input pin, the count in
increased by 1 and as a result each output pin will be HIGH for every corresponding clock
pulse.

As it is a decade counter, we will get a count of 10 and since we connected the bright white
LEDs to the output pins, each LED will be turned ON when the corresponding pin becomes
HIGH.

After 10 clock pulses, the count is reset and will start from the beginning. If the LEDs were
placed in a circular fashion, we get the feel and look a Chasing LED effect.

Two Way Running LEDs with 11 LEDs, CD4017 and 555 Timer
IC
This is another running LED circuit but the difference between this and the previous Running
LEDs circuit and this circuit is that in the previous circuit, it was designed as a one way running
LEDs circuit whereas in this circuit, the LEDs will be running in two ways.

Circuit Diagram

Components Required
1 x CD4017 Decade Counter IC
1 x 555 Timer IC
 1 x 18 K Resistor (1/4 Watt)
1 x 2.2 K Resistor (1/4 Watt)
1 x 470 Resistor (1/4 Watt)
1 x 100 K Potentiometer
1 x 1 F 50V Capacitor (Polarised)
1 x 0.1 nF Ceramic Disc Capacitor (100 pF code 101)
8 x 1N4007 PN Junction Diodes
11 x 8mm Bright White LEDs
Connecting Wires
12V Power Supply
Breadboard

Working of the Project

The working of the Two Way Running LEDs project is similar to that of the LED Chaser Circuit
except that the orientation of the LEDs is different. We will see the working of this project now.

The 555 Timer part (the operation is similar to the one explained in the above circuit) generates
a pulse signal, which is given to the CD4017 Counter as the clock input. The LED6, which is
connected to the Q0 of the CD4017 will light up first.

The LED5 and LED7, which are connected to Q1 of CD4017, will light up next. The connections
continue as shown in the circuit diagram and this process continues till Q5, which is connected
to LED1 and LED11. Until this step, one way lighting of the LED will be completed.

In order to achieve the two way lighting up of the LED, Q6 is connected to LED2 and LED10, Q7
is connected to LED3 and LED9 and so on.

The final effect will be a Two Way Running LEDs and the sequence will be as follows: LED6
(Q0), LED5 LED7 (Q1), LED4 LED8 (Q2), LED3 LED9 (Q3), LED2 LED10 (Q4), LED1
LED11(Q5) for one way and followed by LED2 LED10 (Q6), LED3 LED9 (Q7), LED4 LED8
(Q8), LED5 LED7 (Q9).

Circuit Diagram of LED Knight Rider Circuit Diagram:

LED Running Lights LED Knight Rider Circuit Diagram

Components Required for the Circuit:

 IC
NE555 1
CD4017 2
Resistor
R1 (1K) 1
R2 (100K) 1
R3 (10K) 1
VR1 (100K) 1
C2, C1 (.1uf) 2
D1-D9 (1N4148) 9
Transistor (BC547) 1
LED1-LED9 9

Description:
In order to get familiar with the working layout of the circuit it is important to get familiar with
individual pin.

This IC has 16 pins out of which 3 are input pin, 10 is for output purpose and for ground one pin
is assigned and one power supply and rest one left is for Carry out. As shown below pin
diagram of IC CD4017.

1. Input Pin:

Reset Pin (Pin 15) The counter is reset to zero by this pin. Suppose you wish that the
counter starts counting from the third pin then you need to attached fourth output with
15 pin. So after each third output the counting automatically begins with zero.
Clock Pin (Pin 14) The output will be provided each time the pin 14 of the IC move to
high. Like for the initial pulse of the clock pin 3 will give you output likewise for the next
clock pulse arrive the output will be provided by pin2 and so on. After 10 clock pulse it
will once more begins from Q0 output.
Clock Inhibit Pin (Pin 13) This pin is used to change the state of the counter from ON to
OFF and vice versa. Pin 13 should reach the highest state if you wish to switch off the
counter. If it is at high state then it will not pay attention on the clock pulse no issues that
you press the switch how many of times, implies that the count will not go forward. Pin 13
in our circuit is grounded.

2. Output Pin (Pin Q0 Q9) In the sequential manner the output is received from these pins.
Like pin 3 will give you output for the first pulse and so on.

3. Ground Pin (Pin 8) and Supply Pin (Pin 16) For the working of the IC pin 8 provide ground
while power supply is provided by pin16.

4. Carryout Pin (Pin 12) With the help of this pin one or more than one IC CD4017 can be
linked. Suppose you desire to attach one more CD4017 then attach pin 12 with input clock of its
descendant. The carry pin of primary CD4017 is coupled with the second clock input similarly
the second carry pin is coupled with the third clock input and so on. You can see this in circuit
diagram.

NE555 and CD4017 are the two IC on which the circuit is based along with some other
components. In this circuit IC 555 timer is used like an astable oscillator.

IC CD4017 is used as a CMOS counter/driver. Every time when it gets to clock pulse , it fetches
the clock pulse through clock input and all 10 outputs turn on in sequence. It is well known IC
and it is very much useful in various other projects viz Light Chaser, Matrix Die.

IC NE555 in this circuit is used as an astable mode , used to produce a clock pulse for the
circuit. This is used to give an oscillating wave to pin 3 of the IC1 which is for output.

By the help of VR1 the speed of oscillation can be alter. 555 timer oscillation frequency can be
calculated by-

f=1. 44/(R1+2* (VR1) *C1)

In this circuit, the counting will start from 0 till 16 since we have employed two decade
counters. IC2 in the circuit done the counting 0 to 9 while with the help of diodes the rest of the
counting will done by IC3.

In the instance when 555 timer gets the power supply, pin 3 of IC1 output is given to CD4017
pin 14 of decade count, which in turn give clock pulse for the IC2 working. CD4017 begins its
counter value from zero (since it has inbuilt counter) after getting the clock input.

And after pin 14 moves to high it forwarded one by one to every pin. Like at the primary stage
output Q0 will receive at pin 3 and LED1 will blink and LED2 will glow from pin4 and so on.

When the counter arrives at the pin 11 i.e ninth output it will create it temporary high, which is
coupled to pin 13 (clock inhibit). The clock pulse will be disregarded from pin 14 if the pin is at
high and the counting stop by IC2.

And in return of these IC3 pin 15 became low because earlier transistor BC547 is a high state.
And pin15 of IC3 reset to low state due to this low signal for a short moment and the output of
IC3 stats counter from Q0 (pin3) and move forward one by one.

When it arrives at Q8 which is pin 9 which is yet again connected with pin13 of IC3 due to stop
counting of IC3 irrespective of the input signal. Pin 14 disregard the clock pulse if pin13 is at
high which implies IC3 stop counting.

And this will once more given to reset pin 15 of IC2 and counting is now begin by IC2, counting
of IC3 disabled.

It also means that when the output counting is done by IC2 from IC3 is stop similarly IC2 stop
when IC3 counts. Hence output signals approaching from IC3 are transmitted in reverse
direction to IC2.
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FILED UNDER: 555 TIMER, ELECTRONICS, FREE PROJECT CIRCUITS, MINI PROJECTS

Comments

Bulathsinhala amarananda thero says

NOVEMBER 25, 2015 AT 3:11 AM

i want 555 timer project

Reply

sahith sankalapa says

FEBRUARY 5, 2016 AT 10:27 PM

thnk you !

Reply
 Daniel says
FEBRUARY 25, 2016 AT 1:50 PM

I cant get it to work any one else having trouble?

Reply

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