How to build Fading LEDs

Two strips of LEDs fading in a complementary manner
9V Battery-operated portable unit

Circuit diagram

Parts:

• R1,R2 4K7 1/4W Resistors
• R3 22K 1/4W Resistor
• R4 1M 1/4W Resistor (See Notes)
• R5 2M2 1/4W Carbon Trimmer (See Notes)
• R6,R10,R11,R14,R15 10K 1/4W Resistors
• R7,R8 47K 1/4W Carbon Trimmers (See Notes)
• R9,R13 27K 1/4W Resistors
• R12,R16 56R 1/4W Resistors
• C1 1μF 63V Polyester Capacitor
• C2 100μF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
• D1-D4 etc 5 or 3mm. LEDs (any type and color) (See Notes)
• IC1 LM358 Low Power Dual Op-amp
• Q1,Q2,Q4 BC327 45V 800mA PNP Transistors
• Q3,Q5,Q6 BC337 45V 800mA NPN Transistors
• SW1 SPST miniature Slider Switch
• B1 9V PP3 Battery
• Clip for PP3 Battery

Device purpose:

This circuit operates two LED strips in pulsing mode, i.e. one LED strip goes from off state, lights up gradually, then dims gradually, etc. while the other LED strip do the contrary. Each strip can be made up from 2 to 5 LEDs at 9V supply.

Circuit operation:

The two Op-Amps contained into IC1 form a triangular wave generator. The rising and falling voltage obtained at pin #7 of IC1 drives two complementary circuits formed by a 10mA constant current source (Q1, Q2 and Q5, Q6) and driver transistor (Q3 and Q6). R4, R5 & C1 are the timing components: the total period can be varied changing their values. R7 & R8 vary the LEDs brightness.

Notes:

• For those whishing to avoid the use of trimmers, suggested values for a 9V supply are:
• R4=3M9, R9 & R13=47K and trimmers replaced by a short.
• Whishing to use a wall-plug transformer-supply instead of a 9V battery, you can supply the circuit at 12V, allowing the use of up to 6 LEDs per strip, or at 15V, allowing the use of up to 7 LEDs per strip.
• In this case, the value of the trimmers R7 & R8 should be changed to 100K.

Reprinted Url Of This Article:

http://www.hqew.net/circuit-diagram/How-to-build-Fading-LEDs_6384.html