Decoration Christmas Project
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Christmas Decoration Project
A kit for this project is available from RSH Electronics.
Download PDF version of this page
Download Christmas Tree template
This project flashes 18 LEDs at three different rates and you can use these to
create a Christmas decoration of your choice. The circuit is kept simple (and
cheap!) by using the 4060B IC which is a counter and oscillator (clock) in one
package. The circuit requires a 9V supply, such as a PP3 battery. It will not
work with lower voltages and a higher voltage will destroy the LEDs.
The preset variable resistor can be used to adjust the oscillator frequency
and this determines the flash rate of the LEDs. The IC limits the current to
and from its outputs so the LEDs can be safely connected without resistors in
series to limit the current. The stripboard part of the circuit is easy to build but
the wiring for the LEDs needs care so detailed instructions are provided below.
You can design your own decoration or download our Christmas Tree template to print out and
glue onto thick card, hardboard etc. The template has two tree outlines on one sheet of A4 paper.
The Christmas Tree template is supplied as a PDF file. To view and print PDF files you need an Acrobat Reader which
may be downloaded free for Windows, Mac, RISC OS, or UNIX/Linux computers. If you are not sure which type of
computer you have it is probably Windows.
Warning!
Using a battery (or power supply) with a voltage higher than 9V will destroy the LEDs.
You can see from the circuit diagram (below) that 6 LEDs are connected in series between the +9V supply and 0V.
Each LED requires about 2V across it to light, so using a voltage of about 12V (= 6 2V) or more will make the LEDs
conduct directly, regardless of the 4060B IC. With no series resistor to limit the current this will destroy the LEDs.
Parts Required
resistors: 10k, 470k
preset: 47k (this could be 100k if necessary)
capacitor: 0.1 F
4060B IC
16-pin DIL socket for IC
LEDs 18, 5mm diameter, any mix of colours: red, orange, amber, yellow or green
on/off switch
battery clip for 9V PP3
stripboard 13 rows 18 holes
Stripboard Layout
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Building the Circuit
1. Begin by soldering the components onto the stripboard as shown in the diagram above. Do
not insert the 4060B IC at this stage.
Arranging the LEDs:
2. Cut out a suitable shape from stiff card (or similar material), such as our Christmas Tree
template. Paint or colour the card at this stage if necessary.
3. Plan the layout of the 18 LEDs (suggested are positions marked on our template).
4. Drill 5mm holes for the LEDs - put the card on a piece of scrap wood to do this without
damaging the card or the table.
5. Push LEDs into the holes, they should be a fairly tight fit and glue should not be necessary.
6. Label the LEDs D1 - D18 at random on the back of the card.
Wiring of the LEDs:
Use stranded wire for all the connections to the LEDs and solder all wires near to the LED body so
the leads can be trimmed short later on.
The wire colours are suggested to avoid confusion but you can use other colours if you wish, the
electricity won't mind! For example you could use red and black as suggested but substitute
yellow and white for the blue and green suggested.
7. Cut all the LED short leads to be very short to make identification easier:
8. Connect RED wire to link up all the LONG leads of D1, D2 and D3.
Remember to solder wires near to the LED body so the long lead can be trimmed short later
on.
9. Connect BLACK wire to link up all the SHORT leads of D16, D17 and D18.
10. Use 3 pieces of BLUE wire to connect:
D7 short - D10 long
D8 short - D11 long
D9 short - D12 long
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11. Use 12 pieces of GREEN wire to connect:
D1 short - D4 long
D4 short - D7 long
D2 short - D5 long
D5 short - D8 long
D3 short - D6 long
D6 short - D9 long
D10 short - D13 long
D13 short - D16 long
D11 short - D14 long
D14 short - D17 long
D12 short - D15 long
D15 short - D18 long
12. Connect the RED wire from the circuit board to the RED wiring on the decoration (connect it
to any convenient point).
13. Connect the BLACK wire from the circuit board to the BLACK wiring on the decoration
(connect it to any convenient point).
14. Connect the 3 BLUE wires from the circuit board to each of the 3 BLUE wires on the
decoration, they may be connected in any order.
15. Carefully check all wiring.
16. Trim the long LED leads.
17. Plug the 4060B into its holder.
18. Connect a 9V battery and switch on.
19. Using a small screwdriver, adjust the 47k preset variable resistor to give a suitable flash rate
for the LEDs.
Circuit diagram
A kit for this project is available from RSH Electronics. If you
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are new to electronics buying a kit is a good way to be sure
you have the correct parts for the project.
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John Hewes 2009, The Electronics Club, www.kpsec.freeuk.com
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