This Simple LED Heart Blinker Circuit with an IC 555 Timer is a very easy project, it uses one timer IC, one transistor and several LEDs arranged in a heart shape, giving it an attractive and appealing appearance.
When we give 9V battery power then LEDs start blinking in heart pattern; furthermore, this project is easy for beginners and it is also good for decoration and small gift idea.
Circuit Working:
Parts List:
| Components | Values | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Resistors | 2.2k 1/4 watt | 1 |
| 330Ω 1 watt | 1 | |
| Capacitors | Electrolytic 100µF 25V | 1 |
| Semiconductors | IC 555 | 1 |
| Transistor BC547 | 1 | |
| Red LEDs 5mm 20mA | 8 to 10 | |
| 9V Battery | 1 |
In this circuit 555 timer IC works in astable mode and it gives square wave pulses at pin 3 output; then these pulses go to transistor Q1 BC547.
Then transistor acts like switch and controls LED heart.
After that, when pin 3 gives high signal then base gets current and then transistor allows current through LEDs and they glow.
When pin 3 goes low then transistor stops current and LEDs turn OFF, and this process repeats again and again; so LEDs blink continuously.
Formulas:
Blink speed depends on capacitor C1 and resistor with timer IC.
Formula for astable:
f = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2×R2) × C1)
here,
- C1 is 100µF
- R1 is 2.2k
These decide blink speed.
So,
f = 1.44 / (R1 × C1)
= 1.44 / (2200 × 100×10^-6)
= 6.5 Hz
That means LEDs blink 6 to 7 times in one second and if we change capacitor then blink speed will also change; also for slow blink we can use big capacitor like 470µF.
How to Build:
To build a Simple LED Heart Blinker Circuit with IC 555 Timer follow the below steps:
- First, collect all parts same like in circuit diagram.
IC 555 connections:
- First, pin 1 connect to negative of battery
- Then pin 2 connect with capacitor C1 and pin 6
- Pin 3 connect to resistor R1 then to transistor base
- Pin 4 connect to positive of 9V battery
- Pin 6 connect with capacitor and pin 2
- Finally, pin 8 connect to +9V battery
Transistor BC547 connections:
- Next, collector connect to +9V battery, emitter connect to LED array through resistor R2 and then base connect to resistor R1 and pin 3 of IC555
Conclusion:
Overall, Simple LED Heart Blinker Circuit with IC 555 Timer is easy and interesting project, it uses only one 555 timer IC, one transistor, some resistors, capacitor and LEDs arranged in heart.
Therefore, we can control the blinking speed by changing the capacitor value; moreover, this project also serves as an excellent beginner electronics project and makes an attractive decorative item or a small gift.