LED Chaser Circuits: 10 LED Running Light Designs Discussed

In this article I have compiled 10 interesting yet simple LED chaser circuits, which not only create beautiful running light effect but are also easy to build.

These primarily incorporate LEDs as well as mains operated bulbs through triacs. The proposed circuit is transformerless and is thus a lot compact and light weight.

Which LED Chaser Circuit Should You Choose?

In this article you will find different types of LED chaser circuits which can be built using popular ICs like the IC 555, IC 4017 and 74LS164. Each circuit produces a different type of running light effect. The following guide below will help you to select the right circuit for your requirement.

• For a simple running LED effect: You choose the basic IC 555 and IC 4017 LED chaser circuit.
• For controlling more than 10 LEDs: You may choose a circuit using two or more IC 4017 stages, depending on the required LED count.
• For the Knight Rider scanning effect: Grab the Knight Rider LED chaser circuit which produces a scanning light pattern.
• For a fading LED effect: You may go for a fading LED chaser circuit that gradually increases and decreases the brightness of the LEDs.
• For different LED sequencing patterns: You can choose a suitable 74C164 or 74LS164 based circuit.
• For forward and reverse LED movement: You may select the reverse-forward LED chaser circuit designed for this effect.
• For controlling LED lamps or bulbs: Choose a circuit specifically designed for the required load and supply voltage. Check the output driver ratings before connecting the load.

Before building any of these circuits, you must always check the supply voltage, component values and maximum output current specified for that particular design.

How Does an LED Chaser Circuit Actually Work?

An LED chaser circuit is a simple electronic circuit which makes a group of LEDs glow one after another. This gives you a running light effect which is used in decorative lights, car lights and many other electronic projects.

A simple LED chaser can be made using IC 555 and IC 4017. The IC 555 produces clock pulses and the IC 4017 uses these pulses to switch its output pins ON one by one. When LEDs are connected to these outputs, then they start glowing one after another and produce the chasing effect.

The chasing speed can be changed by adjusting the resistor or capacitor values connected with the IC 555. Other types of LED chaser circuits use different ICs and components to produce special effects like forward and reverse running lights, scanning lights and fading LEDs.

Below given are different LED chaser circuits which you can try building according to your requirement. Some circuits are simple, while others use more components to produce different types of running light effects.

1) Basic 10-LED Chaser Circuit (555 + CD4017)

How it works: This is the ultimate beginner-friendly running light project. It uses a standard 555 timer IC wired as a clock oscillator, sending steady pulses directly into a CD4017 decade counter IC. The 4017 takes those clock ticks and turns its 10 output pins ON one by one in a clean, continuous loop.

Main features: You get a smooth 10-LED chasing sequence that works anywhere from 6V to 12V DC. Speeds are fully adjustable—just turn the 100k speed control pot to speed up or slow down the running effect. LEARN MORE...

2) 18-LED Cascaded Chaser Circuit (Dual CD4017)

How it works: A single CD4017 chip can only handle 10 steps, but when you need a longer running line, you can link two 4017 ICs together.

The 555 timer provides the main clock heartbeat. Once the first 4017 finishes counting through its pins, it passes the duty over to the second IC.

Main features: Uses a few steering diodes hooked between the two counter chips to handle the handover logic seamlessly.

This lets you run 18 LEDs sequentially without needing microcontrollers or writing software code.

LEARN MORE...

3) 100 to 200 LED Forward-Reverse Chaser (Diwali & Christmas Decorative Lights)

How it works: Basic chasers are fun on a breadboard, but festive lighting for Diwali or Christmas demands a lot more power and bigger arrays. This circuit expands standard sequencing by adding heavy-duty transistor driver stages.

Main features: Instead of just cycling in one boring direction, the lights travel forward to the end and then reverse back toward the start. Depending on the power supply and transistor setup, you can hook up massive strings from 100 up to 200 LEDs. LEARN MORE...

4) Dual-Mode LED Chaser with Flashing Blinker Effect

How it works: Designed to answer a popular reader request: having one circuit that can chase and flash. It combines together a standard running sequencer with a master bypass line connected to a selector switch.

Main features: Flip the toggle switch to mode one and the LEDs run sequentially one after another. Flip it to mode two, and the chasing stops while all LEDs begin flashing together in a full-bank strobe effect. LEARN MORE...

5) Center-Out Outward Chasing LED Circuit

How it works: Most chaser designs move left to right, but this setup changes the visual routine entirely.

By cross-wiring output pairs from the middle of the LED strip outward, the lighting starts right at the center.

Main features: As clock pulses arrive, the light bursts symmetrically outward toward both ends at the same time.

It gives a striking spreading-light effect that looks great on custom display signs and automotive panels. LEARN MORE...

6) KITT Scanner Knight Rider LED Chaser

How it works: Inspired by the iconic scanning red light on the front of the KITT car from Knight Rider. It pairs the trusty 555 timer and 4017 decade counter with a simple matrix of 1N4148 signal diodes.

Main features: The diode matrix routes output pulses so a group of 6 LEDs lights up back and forth in a smooth, continuous scanning motion.

No programming needed...just pure hardware logic. LEARN MORE...

7) Slow Adjustable Fading LED Chaser Circuit

How it works: Standard digital chasers snap LEDs ON and OFF instantly. If you want a softer, more elegant look, this circuit places discrete BJT transistor stages and charging capacitors at each LED output.

Main features: As each output triggers, the capacitor charges and slowly fades the LED up, then slowly discharges to fade it down.

This creates a smooth, gentle lighting transition ideal for mood and decorative displays. LEARN MORE...

8) 8-Bit Shift Register LED Chaser (74C164 + 4011)

How it works: An alternative way to build a running light display without using a 4017 counter. It uses a 74C164 8-bit shift register IC paired with a 4011 quad CMOS NAND gate IC acting as the clock pulse generator.

Main features: Shifts a bit across an 8-LED sequence continuously.

An RC network on the reset pin makes sure the board clears its memory and restarts the cycle cleanly every time it hits the 8th step. LEARN MORE...

9) Dual 74LS164 Center-Meeting LED Bar Chaser

How it works: An advanced shift-register circuit built with two 74LS164 ICs and a 555 clock timebase. The logic is wired so that bits shift inward from opposite ends of the display board.

Main features: Two glowing light points start on the outer edges, travel toward each other, and meet right in the middle.

A quick transistor reset stage then clears the line so the cycle can start over. LEARN MORE...

10) 16-Step Bidirectional Chaser Circuit (IC 40193 + IC 4514)

How it works: For high-step sequencing without microcontrollers, this setup replaces the 4017 with a 40193 up/down binary counter and a 4514 1-of-16 decoder IC.

Main features: A simple NAND gate latch handles direction changes automatically.

You get a full 16-step forward-and-reverse running sequence with total stability and no programming required. LEARN MORE...

Common Problems in LED Chaser Circuits

Sometimes an LED chaser circuit may not work properly after building it. So following are some common problems and the things you can check.

Fault#1: LEDs are not glowing

First check the power supply and make sure the positive and negative connections are correct. Also check the IC pin connections, LED polarity and any loose wires on the circuit.

Fault#2: All LEDs are glowing together

Check the wiring of the IC outputs and make sure the LEDs are connected according to the circuit diagram. A wrong connection can stop the normal chasing action.

Fault#3: LEDs are chasing too fast or too slow

In circuits using an IC 555 timer, the chasing speed depends on the timing resistor and capacitor values. Check these components and adjust them according to the circuit design.

Fault#4: Some LEDs are not glowing

Check the polarity of those LEDs and inspect their connections. Also check whether the required current limiting resistors are fitted correctly.

Fault# 5: The circuit works for some time and then stops

Check the power supply voltage, loose connections and any components that may be overheating. If transistors are used to drive many LEDs, you make sure they are not being overloaded.

Always disconnect the power before checking or changing any wiring. If the circuit operates from mains electricity, do not touch the circuit while it is connected to the supply.

How you can Add more Number of LEDs in a Chaser Circuit?

Sometimes you may want to connect more LEDs to a chaser circuit than what is shown in the diagram. This is possible in some circuits but the method will depend on how the circuit is designed. For example the IC 4017 has 10 decoded outputs, so it can control 10 chasing steps in its normal arrangement.

Now if we want more steps then we may need to add another IC 4017 and connect it nicely with the first IC. So just connecting more LEDs to the same output will not increase the number of chasing steps.

In circuits which uses shift register ICs we can also add more ICs to increase the number of LEDs in the sequence. But the extra connections you must do correctly for the circuit to work as expected.

We must also check the power supply current. When more LEDs are added then circuit may need more current. If the IC output cannot supply the required amount of current, we may have to use extra transistors to drive the LEDs...

So before you add more LEDs, first of all you have to check the circuit diagram and the IC output limits, do not simply connect extra LEDs without checking the current, or else the IC or other components may get damaged.

Which is your Favorite LED Chaser?

So guys, that's it! These were a handful of interesting and cool LED chaser circuit designs and compilation, which provides you with varied options of creating your own LED chasing effect without depending on any microcontroller ICs. So which one did you like? Do let us know in the comment section, and if you have any issues with the circuits, do not hesitate to ask them through your comments.