How to Make a Simple LED Circuit with an Arduino Uno
Set up the Arduino software on your computer., Place the desired number of LEDs on the breadboard in series with the resistors.The resistor must reach across the "DIP Support" section of the breadboard., Connect the digital output pins from the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Set up the Arduino software on your computer.
If you haven't done this already, an excellent walk through on how to set it up for the first time can be found in How to Write Arduino Software in C. -
Step 2: Place the desired number of LEDs on the breadboard in series with the resistors.The resistor must reach across the "DIP Support" section of the breadboard.
Start with a
2.2k resistor or higher and work your way down in resistance to desired brightness once you are able to successfully run the program. , This will be the lead with the longer stem. , Connect a jumper from the negative leads of each LED to the ground.
This will be the lead with the shorter stem.
The ground runs the entire length of the board, and is sometimes called the "power rail". , A sample program to use pins 2 through 9 can be found here: https://pastebin.com/TSdTXA7e int time = 500; int inittime = 50; void setup() // initial setup { for(int i=9; i>=2; i--) // Loops from i=9 down to and including i=2 { pinMode(i, OUTPUT); // sets pin i the digital pin as output delay(inittime); // waits for inittime } } void loop() { for(int i=2; i<10; i++) // Loops from i=2 up to but not including i=10 { digitalWrite(i, LOW); // sets the LED on delay(time); // waits for time digitalWrite(i, HIGH); // sets the LED off delay(time); // waits for time } } , Select the "Upload" button to download the program from your computer to your Arduino. , Make edits to your code as needed.
Consult forums or adruino.cc for help with coding.
Change timing values to experiment with different lighting patterns. -
Step 3: Connect the digital output pins from the Arduino to the positive side of the LEDs.
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Step 4: Connect the ground from the Arduino to the breadboard.
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Step 5: Write a program to turn the LEDs on.
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Step 6: Download the program to your Arduino Uno.
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Step 7: Test your outputs.
Detailed Guide
If you haven't done this already, an excellent walk through on how to set it up for the first time can be found in How to Write Arduino Software in C.
Start with a
2.2k resistor or higher and work your way down in resistance to desired brightness once you are able to successfully run the program. , This will be the lead with the longer stem. , Connect a jumper from the negative leads of each LED to the ground.
This will be the lead with the shorter stem.
The ground runs the entire length of the board, and is sometimes called the "power rail". , A sample program to use pins 2 through 9 can be found here: https://pastebin.com/TSdTXA7e int time = 500; int inittime = 50; void setup() // initial setup { for(int i=9; i>=2; i--) // Loops from i=9 down to and including i=2 { pinMode(i, OUTPUT); // sets pin i the digital pin as output delay(inittime); // waits for inittime } } void loop() { for(int i=2; i<10; i++) // Loops from i=2 up to but not including i=10 { digitalWrite(i, LOW); // sets the LED on delay(time); // waits for time digitalWrite(i, HIGH); // sets the LED off delay(time); // waits for time } } , Select the "Upload" button to download the program from your computer to your Arduino. , Make edits to your code as needed.
Consult forums or adruino.cc for help with coding.
Change timing values to experiment with different lighting patterns.
About the Author
Carol Rivera
Enthusiastic about teaching organization techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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