NE555 Christmas Tree

Inspired from the PCB version

vincentmakes

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Description

This is my first try on freeform circuit and this is inspired from the PCB version. I wanted to create something that would be a good fit for the season !

I was tempted to use an Arduino for the blinking bit but have decided to use 2 NE555 instead as an hommage to the "could have done that with a NE555" community :-)

Details

The blinking part is using 2 NE555 circuits. The frequency of the pulse is different for each circuit so the tree has different blinking pattern. The 2 circuits are powering 2 rows of blue and white led but have common power supply

Files

Schematic_New-Project_Sheet-1_20181214090442.png V1.1 Portable Network Graphics (PNG) - 47.76 kB - 12/14/2018 at 08:04		Preview

Schematic_New-Project_Sheet-1_20181213095021.png Schematic Portable Network Graphics (PNG) - 46.16 kB - 12/13/2018 at 08:50		Preview

Components

6 × Led 3mm Blue
6 × Led 3 mm White
2 × NE555 Discrete Semiconductors / Power Transistors and MOSFETs
2 × 220 Ohms Resistors
4 × 10K Ohms Resistors

View all 9 components

Project Logs

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Single power source
vincentmakes • 12/14/2018 at 09:13 • 0 comments

I modified the circuit to have only one power source instead of two in order to fit with the minimalism spirit. This means I now go 3D with the base ! New pictures coming up soon
Building the base
vincentmakes • 12/13/2018 at 08:25 • 0 comments

Added mirrored circuit with one NE555 each. Power supplies are separate for now
Tree Structure
vincentmakes • 12/10/2018 at 12:56 • 0 comments

First step was to create the structure of the tree and add the LEDs in a garland style. This is very tricky as the structure is desoldering when trying to solder other components on it

View all 3 project logs

Build Instructions

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1

Tree + 1 NE555

I started by soldering together pieces of 1mm brass and copper wire, then I connected one of the ne555 circuit
2

2nd NE555

I then put together the 2nd NE555 using a different value for the capacitor this time and I attached that part to the bas of the tree.

Next step was to add bent rods to hold the batteries in place
3

2nd Iteration

I then decided to modify a little bit the design to have only one set of coin cell