In this post we learn how to make a simple RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED controller circuit which may be designated to flash a group of RGB LEDs with a particular sequencing pattern. The idea was requested by Mr. Navdeep.
Technical Specifications
hello swagatam,
i want to make a display board with red, green and blue leds. Approximately 350 each. and i want to use 12 volts rgb controller. please suggest how should i connect LEDs.
I want to light red, green and blue leds separately and then in combinations. And how to make circuit. please also suggest which rgb controller should be used and how it should be connected.
can u suggest a simple circuit for 12 volt 3 amp each, red green blue, rgb controller. with primary colours only.
This is the photo of circuit i got from internet. but am not able to understand how to make it help please. please suggest a simple circuit using easily available components. for RGB controller.
The sequence pattern will be: red first, then green, then blue, then red green together. or any order and any combination will do. i just need it for making a led display board. only wish is that leds should light in sequence and combinations.
The Circuit Design
AS per the suggested sequence format, a simple design using a 4017 IC and a 4060 IC can be used for implementing the proposed RGB LED controller circuit.
Referring to the shown diagram, the 4017 IC and the 4060 IC are wired in a standard LED chaser mode, which is also quite popular with the name "Knight Rider" due to its specific running and chasing light effects.
The IC 4060 supplies the clock pulses to the IC 4017 for executing the intended the sequencing of its output pins in response to every clock pulse at its pin14.
However here the output of the 4017 IC is configured a bit differently for implementing a unique RGB flashing pattern.
Here, the red, green blue strings are wired in a special way to achieve the mentioned desired sequencing pattern, that is when switched ON the R, G. B strings first light up in sequence (in a "chasing" like pattern), next all the three strings get illuminated together and shut off, following this next up the three strings light up one after the other without shutting off in the process, and finally the three LED light up together but flash rapidly to finish the sequence.
The cycle then resets and goes back to the initial phase as described in the above explanation.
THe 1M pot may be adjusted for getting the desired control and sequencing rate on the RGB LEDs.
Bibin Edmond says
hi swagatam,
can we use 9v battery with this circuit ?
Swagatam says
Hi Bibin, you can use any voltage between 4.5V and 15V
Navdeep Goyal says
Dear Swagatam,
thanks for your quick response. i have few queries. If i connect 12 volt 12 ampere supply to input, can i put a load of 3 – 4 ampere on each red, green and blue string.
Swagatam says
Dear Navdeep, yes it is possible but the transistor will need to be upgraded accordingly, you may need a TIP142 for this.
Navdeep Goyal says
can i use ic 555 instead of ic 4060.
Swagatam says
555 can be used but it won't give you the last feature at pin11 from IC 4017….
Navdeep Goyal says
Dear swagatam,
i wanted a circuit that could do following functions.
Product Description:
Supply voltage:12V
Output:Three CMOS drain- open output
Output current:<4A(each channel)
Output power:<144W
Connecting Mode:Common anode
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1yh2zqFOUHZR0RjanpFZTJqT00/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1yh2zqFOUHZdG8xUV9LRmROV0E/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1yh2zqFOUHZYXd2OXlqVzZoa00/view?usp=sharing
Dear Swagatam, i dont need a separate remote. buttons can be placed on same plate circuit. This circuit will be useful for making LED boards that u must have seen outside hotels and hospitals with red, green and blue leds. In this circuit we can choose which colours we want.
thank u for your kind support.
Swagatam says
Dear Navdeep,
I dd not understand the application, please explain how the entire system is opposed to function.
Swagatam says
…OK I think it's given in your second diagram, let me think, If it' possible i'll update it here.
Navdeep Goyal says
Dear Swagatam,
RGB controller shown above in photo also has all above functions. Components used in that controller are one zener to supply 5 volt contant supply to controller chip, one 10,000 ohm resistor, one 1A rectifier diode, onen socket for the chip, one SIL (Single In Line) resistor array. This component has eight pins and has four serparate 1000 ohm resistors in it, one decoupling capacitor, two control buttons, three MOSFET transistors, one chip PIC12F629 microcontroller.
This information i could get from internet. but circuit diagram is not given and plate has to ordered from outside india.
Navdeep Goyal says
one more thing they have used PIC preprogrammed. In our case we dont know / cannot programme it.
Swagatam says
Dear Navdeep, if it's possible to get the code I'll update the info in the article for your reference.
Navdeep Goyal says
No, not possible to get the code. they are bussinessman.
rafu says
There must be an error somewhere, when Q0 is 1 all other are 0, so Q0 will feed Q5 etc..
No LED should be lit !
Swagatam says
thanks, please check it now
basit momin says
Hello sir I have pixel led of
Model No:RGB 12mmToo-ICA
Color – full color
Size – 12mm
Power – 0.3watt
And it contain 50 leds string
So can I use above circuit for this leds
Swagatam says
Hi Basit, 50 LED series cannot be used in the above shown circuit transistors, because 50 LEDs in series would require 50 x 3.3 = 165volts…that's too high for any standard general purpose transistor
basit momin says
Ok sir so u have any circuit for this pixel led
basit momin says
Ok sir so u have any circuit for this pixel led I want to run 6 strings of 50 leds in parallel each
Swagatam says
I have no idea about the "data" input to be fed to a RGB pixel string, i'll investigate, if it's just ordinary clock sequence then probably I'll try to produce a suitable circuit for you.
basit momin says
Eagerly waiting for the circuit….. Sir thanks
Swagatam says
no not yet, I am still trying
basit momin says
Hello sir u got the circuit for pixel led………
basit momin says
Hello sir I have email you on your id about pixel led so pls check it
Thanks
basit momin says
Hello sir u got the circuit for pixel led
Swagatam says
Hello Basit, the LED effect shown in your video clip won't be possible with a simple circuit, it will require a microcontroller based circuit…it looks very complicated so won't be possible at my level…still I'll try to figure it out…
Sandeep Badgujar says
Hell Sir
Can i use 1W three R,G,B LED in this circuit what changes I have to make
Swagatam says
Hello Sandeep, yes you can do it, use TIP 122 for the transistors, and connect 3 LEDs in series across the relevant collectors of the transistors…make sure the each LED string has a 6 ohm 1 watt resistor in series.
samaj says
hellow swagatam
is it 100% working as per rgb controller circuit request by navdeep
because of when i start power supply that time only one led glow and after surtain interval i assume second led glow but its cant
and circuit cross checked with circuit diagram
any idea
Swagatam says
hello samaj, is your IC4060 providing the required clock pulses to pin14 of the 4017 IC?
confirm this by connecting an LED across pin14 of 4017 and ground, with a 1K resistor in series….this LED should flash at an approximately 1Hz rate….
if this happens only then the RGB would respond as per the proposed specs.
samaj says
hi swagatam
thanks for reply
for the ic 4060 i connect a led to pin no 3 which gives pulses to ic 4017 its always zero and no led glows
Swagatam says
Hi Samaj,
that means your 4060 is not working or is faulty…
LED should be between pin3/pin14 and ground….with a 1K resistor.
asif iqbal says
Hello Sir !!!
i want to use above circuit with 9v battery .will i need 6 ohm 1 watt resistances then ?
i will be using 1 watt leds,TIP122
Swagatam says
Hello asif,
you'll need:
9 – 3.3 / 0.3 = 19 ohms or 18 ohm resistor having 3.3 x 0.3 = 0.99 or 1 watt
Michael says
can I use 5 LEDs (20mA) or more in each output and wat changes should I supposed to make?
Swag says
5 leds is an odd figure, use 6 instead, make strings of 3 in series, and connect two such strings in parallel with each transistor. replace 1K with 330 ohms and use this on each string: