The article discusses the construction of 9 interesting LED chaser circuits, which not only create beautiful running light effect but are also easy to build.

We also discuss how to modify these into a design popularly known as "knight rider" chaser circuit.

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.

What is a Light Chaser

Light chasers are decorative lights or LEDs arranged in different moving patterns which create a chasing light or running light kind of effect. These look very interesting and are surely eye catching and that’s why these types of lighting arrangement have gained immense popularity in today’s world.

Though the more complex lighting might need the incorporation of microcontroller ICs, simpler yet very interesting light effects can be generated through ordinary ICs like IC 4017 and IC 555 as shown below. This design requires very few components for the configuration.

Simple LED Chaser Circuit Diagram (The 100K pot can be adjusted to get any desired chasing speed or rate)

Parts List

All resistors are 1/4 watt 5% unless specified

• 1K = 11nos
• 10K = 2nos
• 100K pot = 1no

Capacitors

• 0.01uF ceramic disc
• 10uF/25V electrolytic
• Semiconductors

• LEDs RED, 5mm High Bright or as desired = 11nos
• IC 4017 = 1no
• IC 555 = 1no

• For learning the pinouts and datasheet of the IC 4017 please refer to this article
• For a detailed explanation regarding IC 555 astable, you can click on this article

As can be seen in this configuration, in response to the pulses from IC 555, the IC 4017 generates a running or chasing light pattern across the connected 10 output LEDs. The chasing pattern goes on repeating itself from start to finish as long as the IC 555 keeps pulsing pin #14 of the IC 4017.

How to Calculate the Chaser Speed

The chaser speed can be easily adjusted by determining the correct frequency rate of the IC 555, as explained below:

Formula for IC 555 frequency is = 1/T = 1.44 / (R1 + R2 x 2) x C, where R1 is the resistor between pin#7 and the positive line, R2 is the resistor between pin#7 and pin#6/2. C is the capacitor between pin#6/2 and ground, and should be in Farads.

TL = 0.693 x R2 x C (TL refers to time LOW or the OFF time of the frequency)

TH = 0.693 x (R1 + R2) x C (TH refers to time HIGH or the ON time of the frequency)

D = Duty Cycle= (R1 + R2) / (R1 + 2R2)

Or,

R1 = 1.44 x (2 x D-1) / (F x C)

R2 = 1.44 x (1 - D) / (F x C)

The lights connected are mostly LEDs, however it can be modified for using with mains operated lamps also.

Although the above design looks great, it is possible to create even more complex and interesting light effects using the same IC 4017 and IC 555 combination, through some minor modifications, as described below:

LED Knight Rider Chaser Circuit

The first concept presented here is basically a running light effect generator circuit, quite resembling the effect produced over the popular "knight rider" car.

The circuit mainly comprises of IC 555 and the IC 4017 for implementing the required functions. The IC 555 is used to generate the clock pulses which is fed to the clock input of the IC 4017.

These clock pulses received from the IC555 is translated into a sequencing or chasing effect over the LEDs connected across the various outputs of the IC 4017.

In its normal mode the IC 4017 would have generated a simple start to end sequencing of the LEDs wherein the LEDs would have lit up and shut off one after the other in a sequencing pattern with a rate determined by the IC555 cock frequency, this would repeat continuously as long as the unit stays powered.

However in the proposed knight rider LED light chaser circuit, the output of the IC4017 is configured in a special way using a group of diodes which enable the output sequencing to produce a to and fro chasing of the connected LEDs, albiet through 6 LEDs only in contrast to 10 LEDs as in the normal mode.

How it Works

As can be seen in the first circuit diagram, the design produces a reverse forward moving effect of the LEDs in response to the clocks generated by the IC555 which is basically wired as an astable.

The frequency of this astable can be varied by adjusting the associated 500k pot which in turn influences the LED sequencing speed.

The entire circuit is powered via a compact transformerless power supply circuit thus avoiding the need of bulky transformers or costly SMPS.

This circuit can be also modified for illuminating mains operated bulbs by incorporating a few triacs in conjunction with the LEDs present at the outputs.

The second figure shows the complete arrangement where we can see 6 triacs being rigged across the output LED ends via 1 K resistors.

Again, this mains operated knight rider light chaser does not depend on bulky power supply stages rather employs a simple capacitive power supply for implementing the proposed running light or chasing LeD effect.

WARNING: THE CIRCUIT IS NOT ISOLATED FROM MAINS AC SUPPLY, THEREFORE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TOUCH IN POWERED AND UNCOVERED CONDITION.

Parts List

• 1K = 1
• 22K = 1
• 1M = 1
• 10 ohms = 1
• 500K pot = 1
• 1uF/25V = 1
• 1000uF/25V = 1
• 0.47uF/400V PPC = 1
• 12V zener 1 watt = 1
• 1N4007 diodes = 4
• 1N4148 diode = 10
• LEDs = 6
• IC 4017 = 1
• IC 555 = 1

Video Clip:

Knight Rider Circuit using 220V Mains Lamps

Knight Rider Chaser using 12V Bulbs

The above circuit can be also as effectively used for car installation by doing the following modifications to the above circuit. The circuit shows how the design can be used for illuminating 12V car automotive lamps.

2) LED Scanner Circuit Mustang Type

In next idea is also a chaser circuit which produces a LED scanner type illusion through the various sequencing illumination modes over the attached LED arrays. The idea was requested by Mr. Danely Sooknanan.

Technical Specifications

I want to build the new Knight rider mustang light for my car scoop.What i have read is. It's made up out of 480 distinct LEDs, arranged in three rows of 80 in each row, then divided up into two sides.

My question is how you build it. The size i want to work with is 12 inches in length by 1/2 inch in width. How many rows of leds will i get by that dimension. What kind of led to use? What can i use for the diffuser case? What to use for the control box.

The Design 

In the actual knight rider LED scanner unit as shown in the video, there are as many as 29 number of functions to be precise, implementing those is virtually impossible using discrete components and without employing MCUs, however here we'll see how a few of these could be possibly made using just a handful of components.The main two functions of the proposed Mustang LED scanner circuit may be assessed as given in the following description:

1) LEDs light up in a bar mode fashion from the two ends of the strip and meet up at the center, illuminating the whole module brightly.

In the next sequence the LEDs begin shutting off in the same sequence as above from the outer extreme ends until all the LEDs are switched OFF.

The rate or the speed of the above procedures are adjustable through a pot as per individual preferences.
2) The second scanning sequence is similar to the above, except the shutting off procedure which is done for all the LEDs at once instead of one at a time.

The above two functions can be easily implemented using a couple of 74LS164 ICs and a 555 IC oscillator as shown in the following circuit diagram:

Circuit Diagram

Looking for a Meteor Shower LED Effect Circuit? Please check out this article

Using IC 74LS164 as the Controller

In the shown mustang scanner LED light circuit, a couple of 8-bit parallel-out shift register ICs 74LS164 are employed, driven by the IC555 configured as the clock oscillator.

The circuit may be understood by considering the following two modes in the design:

As may be seen in the above circuit diagram, a 3 pole, 9 throw switch is used as the changeover switch for imitating the 2 functions explained in the previous section above.

In mode1 S1 is connected as shown in the circuit diagram, in this position the LEDs illuminate in an sequencing LED bar like fashion with every rising edge of the clocks from the IC555 until all the LED light up and the final "high" reaches pin16, when T1 momentarily resets both the ICs producing in instant shutting off of all the LEDs at once.In the actual prototype the LEDs from Q9----Q16 must be arranged such that Q16 faces Q8, while Q9 faces the outer end of the relevant strip.

As soon as the above happens, a new cycle initiates afresh and the cycle repeats for so long as the S1 position isn't changed.

Mode#2

In mode 2 let's consider the switch S1 connected with the positive supply, thus S1a gets connected with the +5V line, S1b gets hooked up with the collector of T1 while S1c with R5.Also the reset pin9 of IC1 and IC2 get connected with the collector of T1 whose base can be seen configured with the last output Q16 of IC2.

On power switch ON, the LEDs begin illuminating in a BAR like mode as before from Q1 to Q8 and from Q9 towards Q16 in response to each clock pulses supplied by the astable IC 555 at pin8 of the two 74LS164 ICs.Now as soon as the high across the shifting outputs reach pin 16, T1 instantly inverts and renders a low to the serial pins1,2 of the ICs so that now the LEDs begin shutting off one by one across the arrays in the same sequence as it illuminated in response to every clock from IC555.

The LED Sequence Keeps Recycling

The procedure keeps repeating as long the switch S1 position is not changed from its existing position.The above two functions are pretty easily implemented and we have our LEDs scan the whole array quite in the manner the actual Mustang scanner is supposed to do, however with the above two functions the features look much limited and we would want to insert a few more of the features as may be witnessed in the original video.

I'll keep the article updated with the new added features, but in the meantime let's learn how the LEDs could configured to the above scanner design as per the request made by Mr. Dannel.For ease of calculation and configuration we incorporate 32 + 32 LEDs on each left and right strips.

The arrangement and the connection details may be verified through the following diagram:

Enabling Rapid Up/Down Sequence

Another interesting scanner function that could be easily added to the above circuit with a feature producing rapid to and fro sequencing over the two strips in groups of four.

This could be easily done by toggling an arrangement wherein T1 would freeze once all the LEDs switch ON in bar like style.

Now in this position a 4017 with its own oscillator would come into the scene with its outputs switching OFF the lit LEDs rapidly in a reverse forward manner. The switching could be done using BJTs which would ground the relevant anodes of the LEDs in the process.

So now we have three interesting scanning sequences toggled in our very own homemade mustang LED scanner circuit, any more possible solutions are welcome from the readers.

3) LED Chaser Circuit with Slow Adjustable Fading Effect

The third circuit below discusses a cool chasing LED light circuit that features a timed delay fading slow transition effect across the whole illuminated sequencing LEDs. The idea was requested by Mr. Tamam

Technical Specifications

I want to design a circuit consisting equal no. of Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Violet, Orange and White LEDs. I want to have these LEDs in a continuous and smooth transition effect like
below,

At first, Red branch of LEDs lit for a preset time then slowly fade out and then Green branch of LEDs fade in and fade out then next branch fade in and so on.

I would like to have control on transition time delay, light timing, fade in or out timing if possible. And I don't want to use any Programmable IC for this. So please please let me know if it possible without any programmable IC. It is okay even if I need several ICs to accomplish the job. You just show me the way !!

Thank you very much once again for your valuable time and for a quick reply! I am looking forward to you response!!

Circuit Diagram

The Design

The proposed chasing, fading LEd light circuit may be understood with the help of the above schematic and the following description:

The upper circuit is a standard LED chaser design comprising of a decade counter IC 4017 and a clock oscillator using IC 555 astable configuration.

This IC 4017 generates a sequencing high logic (equal to supply voltage)  across its entire output pins in response to the clocks at its pin14 from the IC 555.

If we connect LED directly across the 4017 outputs and ground, the LEDs would illuminate in a dot mode fashion from the first pinout upto the last in a sequencing pattern resembling a chasing effect.

This effect is pretty ordinary and we all probably have come across and built such light chasers circuits quite often.

However as per the request the effect needs to be enhanced by adding a slow transition over the LED illumination as it sequences across the entire channel. This fading transition on the sequencing LEds is expected to generate an interesting group LED chasing effect instead of an illuminated dot like appearance.

The above intriguing show could be easily implemented by connecting the LEDs to an intermediate BJT delay generator circuit.

This BJT circuit becomes responsible of generating the intended transition delay over the LED illumination and can be witnessed in the lower design.

This stage needs to be repeated across all the selected outputs of the 4017 outputs for achieving the desired chasing, fading slow transition over the LEDs.

As requested the rate of the above fading slow transition could be controlled by adjusting the given pot.

The circuit is basically a simple delay timer which sustains the illumination on the sequencing LEDs for a few moments depending upon the set value of the pot. The stored charge on the capacitor produces this timed delay effect on the LEDs which could be predetermined as per ones own choice.

The speed of the sequencing could be also altered by tweaking the 555 IC 100k pot as per individual choice which this could in turn interfere with the delay transition effect and thus is a matter of some trial and error until the most attractive set up is determined.

For Improved Fading effect

For an improved fading response the LED could be connected across the emitter and ground of the circuit, as indicated the below given diagram:

4) 18 LED Light Chaser Circuit Using Two IC 4017

The next fourth design explains how to build an 18 LED chaser circuit through a simple cascading of two 4017 ICs, and some passive electronic components.

Working Explanation

Here we are discussing how to make a simple LED running light which can be built by any newcomer in the field albeit the individual has some knowledge of soldering and regarding the commonly used electronic components.

The concept of a light chaser discussed here utilizes the popular Johnson’s decade counter IC 4017 for getting the desired light chasing effect. IC 4049 is used as the Oscillator

Another IC 4049 provides the clock signals to the counter ICs. We all have probably seen how the IC 4017 can be configured for creating the light chasing effect using LEDs, however the number of maximum LEDs supported by this IC is not more than ten. In this article we’ll learn how to make an eighteen LED light

chaser by cascading two of these ICs.

Cascading two IC 4017 Johnsons Counter for the 18 LED Effect

Looking at the above light chaser circuit diagram we see how the two ICs are configured so that the “chasing”  or "running"of the LEDs at its outputs are carried on for 18 LEDs. The diodes included in the circuit especially are responsible for switching the ICs into a cascading action.

The diodes make sure the IC outputs are carried forward from one IC to another, so that the “chasing” effect is pulled for the entire 18 LEDs in the array.

The whole circuit can be built over a general purpose PCB, and connected together by soldering with the help of the shown diagram.

The circuit can be operated in between 6 volts to 12 volts.

HAVE FURTHER DOUBTS? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT!

• Parts List
• R1, R3, R4 = 2k7,
• R5 = 100k,
• C1 = 10 uF/25V,
• N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 = IC 4049,
• IC1,2 = 4017,
• All diodes are = 1N4148,
• PCB = General purpose
• LED = as per choice.

The above 18 LED cascaded chaser circuit can be also conveniently built using a 555 astable circuit, as shown below:

Video Clip of the above circuit in operational mode:

100 to 200 LED Reverse Forward Chaser Circuit for Diwali, Christmas Decorations

In the following article we will earn how to build a simple LED chaser circuit with a push pull or reverse forward sequencing effect, and also in the later part of the article we will learn how this simple LED chaser cold be upgraded to a 100 to 200 LED laser circuit with a reverse forward LED sequencing effect.

Introduction

As learned earlier, an LED light chaser circuit typically refers to an electronic configuration able to generate or illuminate a group of LEDs in some predetermined sequence. One popular IC 4017 is very commonly employed for making this type LED sequencer circuit.

Here also the IC basically is a Johnson's 10 stage decade counter/divider and can be used for many interesting light pattern generations, and may be used for various decorative purposes.

So far we have circuits using the above IC for producing chasing light effects, however making the IC create  "reverse" "forward" "chasing" pattern with LEDs is something many of us might not be acquainted with. Here we will learn how to make a simple yet effective to and fro or reverse forward light chaser circuit using LEDs.

Understanding IC 4017 pinouts

But before that let's take a brief look at the IC 4017 pin out details.

The IC 4017 is a 16 pin dual in line (DIN) IC.

The IC has 10 outputs which generate the sequencing high outputs in the order of the pin outs - 3, 2, 4,7, 10, 1,5, 6, 9, 11. The sequencing takes place in response to a frequency applied at pin 14 of the iC

Pin 16 is the positive supply input, pin 8 is the negative supply input or the ground line.

Pin 13 is used clock inhibit inhibit and will stall the circuit if connected to positive supply terminal, however connecting it to ground makes everything normal, so we connect it to ground.

Pin 12 is the clock carry out, not required for single 4017a applications, so we leave it open.

Pin 15 is the reset pin, and it resets the output to the start pin in response to a positive response to it.

The pin 15 of the IC is connected to the second last pin 9 of the IC, which means the output resets every-time the sequencing reaches pin 9m,and the moment this pin goes high, the IC repeats the action by resetting the system.

Pin 14 is the clock input and requires to be fed with a square wave frequency, easy obtainable through any astable oscillator made from ICs like IC 555, IC 4049, transistors etc.

Circuit Diagram

How it Works

Looking at the shown reverse forward LED light chaser circuit, we see that basically the IC is arranged in its normal sequencing or chasing mode, however the clever introduction of the diodes at the outputs of the IC make the sequencing appear to be reversing and forwarding from start to finish and vice versa.

The smart arrangement of the diodes enables the output sequence of the IC to feed the LEDs in a way that the relevant LeDs are able to imitate a  to and fro chasing pattern.

This is achieved by by forcing  5 outputs to move in a forward chasing pattern, while the following 5 outputs are redirected toward the same LEDs but in the opposite direction, making the pattern look like a to and fro chasing motion.

Parts List for the proposed 4017 LED light chaser circuit

• R1 = 1K,
• R2 = 4K7,
• R3 = 1K,
• R4 = 100K pot, linear,
• C1 = 10nF,
• C2 = 4.7 uF/25V,
• IC1 = 4017,
• IC2 = 555

Adding More LEDs

In the above example we have seen how a reverse forward LED sequencing may ge implemented over 5 LEDs, however in order to get a more interesting effect we would want to increase the number of LED to higher numbers so that the illumination increases and the visual effect is able to get much enhanced.

The following section will explain how this may be accomplished using 200 LEDs, however any number of LED could be used just by modifying the transistors and the series parallel connections for the LEDs, let's learn the details.

Circuit Operation

The circuit diagram shows a simple yet an effective configuration which is able handle up to 200 different colored LEDs and create the required to and fro chasing show.

The IC 4017 is the main part of the entire system whose outputs have been very cleverly manipulated using diodes.

Normally, in response to a clock signal the outputs of a 4017 IC would begin shifting sequentially from pin#3 to pin#11 covering ten of its pin outs in a certain random order.

If the LEDs are arranged in these ten outputs, one would acquire ordinary one direction sequencing of the LEDs.

In the discussed circuit, five of the end sequence pin outs have been diverted in such way that the connected LEDs produce a to and fro moving effect, however with this arrangement the total number of outputs get restricted to only 5, nevertheless sufficient for implementing the intriguing visuals.

Normally the outputs would accommodate a maximum of 4 LEDs, a total of 20 numbers. For handling as high 200 LEDs, transistor buffer stages have been included in the circuity.

Each transistor or the channel can hold upto 50 LEDs, the LEDs are connected in series and parallel combination as shown in the last diagram.

The LEDs are connected to the collector of the respective transistors as referred to in the last diagram.

The IC 555 is wired up as an astable for generating the required clock pulses at the input pin#14 of IC 4017.

These clocks determines the sequencing rate of the connected LEDs which may varied by adjusting variable resistor R3.

The circuit may be powered from a 12V battery or a 12V/3amp SMPS adapter unit.

Circuit Diagram with 200 LED Chaser Circuit

The basic reverse forward LED circuit using single LEDs can be studied elaborately  in this LED scanner article, and the video can be witnessed below:

How to Connect the LEDs

The following diagram illustrates the connection arrangement of the LEDs to the above circuit. A single series for each channel has been shown in the diagram.

The numbers can be simply increased just by inserting more such series in parallel to the respective strings of the different channels.

Circuit Diagram for Series Parallel LED Connections

Parts List

• R1 = 1K,
• R2 = 4K7,
• R3 = 1K,
• R4 = 100K pot, linear,
• C1 = 10nF,
• C2 = 4.7 uF/25V,
• IC1 = 4017,
• IC2 = 555
• All diodes are = 1N4007
• All transistors are = BD139
• All transistor base resistors are = 1K
• LED resistors are = 150 Ohms 1/4 watt.

5) LED Chaser Circuit cum Blinker Using IC 4017

The sixth concept presented below is also another LED chaser circuit but includes a blinking effect to the design. The circuit was requested by Mr.Joe, one of the keen followers of this blog.

The circuit initially was intended to be used for generating LED strobe light effects and was asked to be modified such that it could be used as an LED sequencer as well as a blinker. The change over would be implemented via a toggle switch.

Circuit Operation

The IC 4017 is not new to us and we all know how versatile and competent this device is. Basically the IC a Johnson’s decade counter/divide by 10 IC, fundamentally used in applications where sequencing positive output signals are required or desired.

The sequencing or the orderly shifting of the outputs take place in response to a clock pulse that needs to be applied at the clock input pin #14 of the IC.

With every rising positive edge of the clock input, the IC responds and pushes its output’s positive from the existing pin out to the next pin out in the order.

Here a couple of NOT gates are used as a oscillator for providing the above clock pulses to the IC 4017. VR1 may be adjuted for determining or fixing the speed of the sequencing.

The outputs of the IC are connected to an array of LEDs in a specific order which makes the LEDs look like as if they are running or chasing during the operations.

If the circuit would be required only to produce the chasing effect, the diodes would not be required, however as per the present ask the diodes become important and allows the circuit to be used as a blinker also, depending upon the position of the switch S1.

When the switch S1 is positioned at A, the circuit behaves like a light chaser and produces the normal chasing effect over the LEDs which start illuminating in sequence from top to the bottom, repeating the operations as long as the circuit remains powered.

As soon as S1 is flicked toward B, the clock signals from the oscillator are shifted into the input of the transistor T1, which instantly stats to pulsate all the LEDs together in response to the received clocks from N1/N2 configuration.

Thus as per the requirement we have successfully modified an ordinary light chaser circuit with an additional feature through which the circuit now is also able to function as a LED flasher.

Do not forget to connect the inputs of the remaining unused gates from the IC 4049 either to the positive or the negative of the supply. The supply pins of the IC 4049 also need to be connected to the relevant supply rails of the circuit, kindly refer to the datasheet of the IC.

If all the ten outputs of the IC 4017 are required to be integrated with LED sequencing, just connect pin #15 of the IC to ground and use the left over outputs of the IC for the required sequencing of the LEDs in the order of: 3,2,4,7,10,1,5,6,9,11

Circuit Diagram

The following parts will be needed for making this LED light chaser cum flasher circuit:

• R1, R2, R3 = 1K,
• R4 = 100k
• VR1 = 100K linear pot.
• All LED resistors are = 470 Ohms,
• All diodes are = 1N4148,
• All LEDs = RED, 5mm or as per choice,
• T1 = 2N2907, or 8550 or 187,
• C1 = 10uF/25V
• C2 = 0.1uF,
• IC1 = 4017,
• N1, N2 = IC4049

Conclusion

Guys, so these were 6 best looking LED chaser circuits for you all that could be built and applied as a decorative piece of lighting with a dazzling eye catching effect. You can use them anywhere you like, in your home, in your vehicles, garden, hall room, for parties, on caps/hats, apparels, during festivals etc.

Think have more such ideas, please share them here for the pleasure of the entire homemade circuit community.

About Swagatam

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!