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/sci/ - Science & Math

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1786649 No.1786649 [Reply] [Original]

Hey /sci/, not sure I should be asking this here..

But /g/ directed me here so..

Does anybody know anywhere online that can get me started on working with electronics? And by electronics I mean LED's, programming them, just..using and making arrays of them in general.

I know the very very basics as in HURR CONNECT LED TO RESISTOR, CONNECT TO BATTERY DERP but I want to learn more advanced stuff.

My goal is to make a few VU meters for a helmet I'm working on.

Help?

>> No.1786672
File: 52 KB, 317x466, 1284580264002.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1786672

Anyone?

>> No.1786686
File: 2 KB, 266x230, comparator (1).gif [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1786686

Instructables has plenty of beginner level projects.

To make a VU meter grab yourself some comparators. They have inputs A,B, and outputs X. When the voltage in A is greater than B, X will output high and turn on an LED you connect to it. Run your signal into B and use a voltage divider (two resistors) to set A. Make a line of these with different voltages going into A.

The other option is to get a LM3916 chip, which is pretty much the circuit I described already built for you in an integrated circuit.

>> No.1786691
File: 86 KB, 500x376, helm.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1786691

>>1786649 My goal is to make a few VU meters for a helmet I'm working on.

Are you me?

>> No.1786696

What's the cartoon OP?

>> No.1786702
File: 34 KB, 400x400, clone-trooper-helmet.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1786702

>>1786686
Adventure Time on Cartoon Network
>>1786691
No, but the helmet I'm building is a daft punk-esque Clone Trooper Helmet conversion.

Pic related, my plan is to have VU meters near the mouth vents to give the image of "singing"

The Rainbow LED's will have a vertical blinking pattern and the red monoeye is just static.

I have infinite time to do this, so all I need to do is teach myself how the hell to wire LED's and crap.
>>1786696
Err, thanks, I've been looking over Instructables lately, I still need to learn all the lingo..

>> No.1786705

>>1786686
Alternative option would be to get an ADC chip (Analog to digital comparator) with parallel output. You can use this to run some LEDs directly, but the result will be shown in binary. Add a line decoder (AKA Demultiplexer) to convert to the thermometer code VU meters normally display.

>> No.1786708

>>1786649
>by electronics I mean LED's, programming them
Programming LEDs, really?

>> No.1786712

>>1786708
Err..I'm a beginner?

But I'm assuming you don't need programming for something as simple as a VU Meter right?

>> No.1786726
File: 9 KB, 273x370, VU.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1786726

>>1786712
Depends on how neat you want it to look, and what current the source can deliver.
You could do it with just resistors and LEDs.

>> No.1786734

>>1786726
He'd need a transistor amplifier to run that from a microphone signal.

>> No.1786736

>>1786726
Doesn't have to look too fancy, I just need it to..be a VU Meter, I guess.

And thanks, that schematic helps me get a clearer picture in my head of how to go about this..

>> No.1786739

>>1786734
Actually, chances are, if I can, I'll just plug it into my boombox.

>> No.1786829

>>1786734

>> No.1786853

http://www.play-hookey.com/ seems about right

>> No.1786855

>>1786734
There are plenty of single chip audio amplifiers that could be used.

>> No.1786857

>>1786855
Or a single transistor.

>> No.1786865

>>1786857
Can't do anything with a single transistor, he'll need more resistors at the very least.

>> No.1786868

>>1786853
Oooh, seems pretty good, thanks!

>> No.1786878

>>1786865
Signal goes into base, collector goes to VCC, Emitter runs the ladder in >>1786726.

Another resistor would only be needed if the signal voltage saturates the base too far below its maximum level, but that will never happen with the voltages a mic generates and a GPNPN like 2N2222 or 2N3904.

>> No.1786879

Get yourself an Arduino.
http://www.arduino.cc/
It's a development platform for microcontroller programming. So awesome. I made myself a guitar effects pedal with a light-sensitive diode to control tone and flashy LEDs that respond to the incoming waveform which then influence said diode. Basically a very complicated envelope filter with sort of a phase delay, but the geek in me loves the way I did it. Thinking of adding a pinout which will control a MOSFET to light up bigger lights for performances.

Anyway, you should be able to grab an Arduino and a breadboard for about $30. You can also check out the projects that people have put online. Plenty of wiring diagrams... it's not just programming.

>> No.1786893

>>1786879grab an Arduino and a breadboard for about $30

Or don't be a retard and grab a PIC or 8051 for $2

>> No.1786900

>>1786893
I'm not saying the PIC or 8051 is a bad idea, but he'll need at least a programmer (separate memory for the 8051 too), so a bit more than $2.

>> No.1786903

>>1786893
Yeah, but you're going to spend on ports and sockets and a board and etching materials and blah blah blah. Comes to roughly the same in the end, if not more... I considered PIC when I started off, but Arduino seemed easier, especially when you consider the development environment.

>> No.1787177

>>1786900 he'll need at least a programmer
Get chip with internal ISP loader, hook it to a Max232. Takes 5 minutes and fifty cents.

>>1786900 separate memory for the 8051 too
What, did I go back to 1983?

>> No.1788181

Holy shit, my thread is still alive?

Bump for daytime help.

>> No.1788360

>>1786879
To Anon who suggested the Arduino.

Fucking thanks! I was looking very carefully through this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0TBZeCgL0E
To get an idea of what to do, and if you look real close in one frame, guy has all his LED's hooked up to an Arduino.

Thanks!