• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homemade Circuit Projects

Need circuit help? Post them in the comments! I've answered over 50,000!

Blog | Categories | About | Hire Me | Contact | Calculators-online
You are here: Home / Lamps and Lights / Simple RGB LED Controller Circuit

Simple RGB LED Controller Circuit

Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by Swagatam 49 Comments

In this post I have explained 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.

Table of Contents
  • Technical Specifications
    • The Design

Technical Specifications

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 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.

You'll also like:

  • OneTransistorLEDFlasherCircuitDiagram2CImageSingle Transistor LED Flasher Circuit
  • ambient light dependent fading led lightsLight Dependent LED Intensity Controller Circuit
  • growlightcircuitHow to Build a Grow Light Circuit
  • ignition 1Electric Match (Ematch) Circuit Firework Ignitor

Filed Under: Lamps and Lights Tagged With: Controller, LED, RGB, Simple

About Swagatam

I am an electronics engineer and doing practical hands-on work from more than 15 years now. Building real circuits, testing them and also making PCB layouts by myself. I really love doing all these things like inventing something new, designing electronics and also helping other people like hobby guys who want to make their own cool circuits at home.

And that is the main reason why I started this website homemade-circuits.com, to share different types of circuit ideas..

If you are having any kind of doubt or question related to circuits then just write down your question in the comment box below, I am like always checking, so I guarantee I will reply you for sure!



Previous Post: « High Power Industrial Mains Surge Suppressor Explored
Next Post: How to Make an Industrial Delay Timer Circuit »

Reader Interactions

Questions & Answers

Total Posts: 49
Newest Oldest
Parth Kangutkar
October 12, 2024 • 2 years ago #163264

sir, can we make 12v action chaser (multiple designs) for 12volt single colour pixel led by using ESP32 module?
If yes, then plz send me a circuit diagram for it.
And also codes for the project.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
October 13, 2024 • 2 years ago #163301

Hi Parth,
I think It will require programming with a code and I am not good with MCU programming, so it might not be possible for me to solve it for you.

Reply
Dr.Christopher Halgryn
December 4, 2023 • 3 years ago #147701

Sir,
Hello again my name is Dr.Chris Halgryn and, thank you for all the assistance and suggestions of circuits in the past to date they all were r successful circuits I am very pleased however , I need to ask the circuit where the person need to illuminate 300 RGB leds the schematic shows only (3) three leds…1xred 1xgreen and 1x blue can I connect say only 10 leds in each bank to make (30) leds not necessary 300 leds.
Please advise urgently I would appreciate that at your earliest convenience. Many thanks again,
Dr\.Chris.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
December 4, 2023 • 3 years ago #147710

Thank you Dr. Chris,
Yes you can use upto 10 LEDs with each transistor in the above circuit by connecting 3 strings of LEDs in parallel, with each string having 4 LEDs in series. Make sure the input voltage is a constant or a fixed 12V from a 7812.
If the LEDs are high power LED then the transistors will need to be upgraded to TIP122.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Reply
Bruce Miotke
September 21, 2022 • 4 years ago #133405

I want to light my walkway between the carport and the front porch using ir motion sensors to one set of 4 50 cm (or mm) LEDs they would be approximately 20 inches each. Then another ir sensor and another set of LEDs and so on until have 5 sets. How ever I want to make them work from the porch to the carport also.
Using 12 V source each way. By the way I am the NW part of Oregon, USA

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 21, 2022 • 4 years ago #133411

I think you can install the 2) concept presented in the following article for your requirement:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/pir-motion-activated-relay-circuit/

Reply
mike
September 29, 2021 • 5 years ago #98890

great circuit could the outputs be switched positive ? what would the final stage look like for say 3x3amp common ground .. thanks

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 30, 2021 • 5 years ago #98958

Glad you liked it, yes the output can be switched positive by adding additional PNP transistors with the BC547 transistors and then connecting the RGB LEDs across their collectors.

Reply
Lawal Mohammed Abubakar
September 8, 2020 • 6 years ago #82070

Please Sir, the RGB driver is a remote control with each button controlling different lights.what ic is implemented in such a design because i managed to buy one , after carefully exposing the board,there were three scr’s with each label 2P4m , with resistors connected to one side of each scr and Connected to separate pins of the ic .The ic number was not labelled and no number at all was written on top or beneath it.Please Sir, could you help me identify such ic number or the type of ic being used?I saw that the ic was having four pins on each side just like the ne555 timer pin configuration.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 8, 2020 • 6 years ago #82078

Lawal, it can difficult to find out the actual working of the circuit without knowing the datasheet of the IC

Reply
Vaisakhan
August 21, 2018 • 8 years ago #62587

The diodes used in this circuit,are they 1N4148? Also can i use any lower value capacitor instead of .47uf?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
August 21, 2018 • 8 years ago #62590

yes 1N4148 is OK, the 0.47uF is the timing capacitor, lower values may decrease the range of sequencing rate of the IC 4017

Reply
Vaisakhan
August 21, 2018 • 8 years ago #62591

Thanks..for your regular support..

Reply
Michael
September 15, 2017 • 9 years ago #53712

can I use 5 LEDs (20mA) or more in each output and wat changes should I supposed to make?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 16, 2017 • 9 years ago #53721

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:

Reply
asif iqbal
December 27, 2015 • 11 years ago #37062

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

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
December 28, 2015 • 11 years ago #37084

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

Reply
samaj
September 18, 2015 • 11 years ago #34152

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

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 19, 2015 • 11 years ago #34177

Hi Samaj,

that means your 4060 is not working or is faulty…

LED should be between pin3/pin14 and ground….with a 1K resistor.

Reply
samaj
September 17, 2015 • 11 years ago #34107

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

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
September 18, 2015 • 11 years ago #34127

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.

Reply
Sandeep Badgujar
July 19, 2015 • 11 years ago #32429

Hell Sir
Can i use 1W three R,G,B LED in this circuit what changes I have to make

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
July 19, 2015 • 11 years ago #32433

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.

Reply
basit momin
July 7, 2015 • 11 years ago #32034

Hello sir u got the circuit for pixel led

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
July 7, 2015 • 11 years ago #32040

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…

Reply
basit momin
July 1, 2015 • 11 years ago #31903

Hello sir I have email you on your id about pixel led so pls check it
Thanks

Reply
basit momin
April 30, 2015 • 11 years ago #30540

Hello sir u got the circuit for pixel led………

Reply
basit momin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29877

Eagerly waiting for the circuit….. Sir thanks

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
May 1, 2015 • 11 years ago #30554

no not yet, I am still trying

Reply
basit momin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29862

Ok sir so u have any circuit for this pixel led I want to run 6 strings of 50 leds in parallel each

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29872

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.

Reply
basit momin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29861

Ok sir so u have any circuit for this pixel led

Reply
basit momin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29852

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

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
April 8, 2015 • 11 years ago #29858

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

Reply
rafu
January 18, 2015 • 12 years ago #28227

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 !

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 19, 2015 • 12 years ago #28242

thanks, please check it now

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 13, 2015 • 12 years ago #28146

No, not possible to get the code. they are bussinessman.

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 12, 2015 • 12 years ago #28122

one more thing they have used PIC preprogrammed. In our case we dont know / cannot programme it.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 13, 2015 • 12 years ago #28139

Dear Navdeep, if it's possible to get the code I'll update the info in the article for your reference.

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 12, 2015 • 12 years ago #28121

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.

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 11, 2015 • 12 years ago #28083

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.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 12, 2015 • 12 years ago #28109

…OK I think it's given in your second diagram, let me think, If it' possible i'll update it here.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 12, 2015 • 12 years ago #28108

Dear Navdeep,

I dd not understand the application, please explain how the entire system is opposed to function.

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 10, 2015 • 12 years ago #28065

can i use ic 555 instead of ic 4060.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 11, 2015 • 12 years ago #28076

555 can be used but it won't give you the last feature at pin11 from IC 4017….

Reply
Navdeep Goyal
January 10, 2015 • 12 years ago #28064

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.

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 11, 2015 • 12 years ago #28075

Dear Navdeep, yes it is possible but the transistor will need to be upgraded accordingly, you may need a TIP142 for this.

Reply
Bibin Edmond
January 8, 2015 • 12 years ago #28030

hi swagatam,
can we use 9v battery with this circuit ?

Reply
SwagatamAdmin
January 9, 2015 • 12 years ago #28041

Hi Bibin, you can use any voltage between 4.5V and 15V

Reply

Need Help? Please Leave a Comment! We value your input—Kindly keep it relevant to the above topic! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar



Categories

  • Arduino Projects (95)
  • Audio and Amplifier Projects (134)
  • Automation Projects (18)
  • Automobile Electronics (103)
  • Battery Charger Circuits (89)
  • Datasheets and Components (109)
  • Electronics Theory (150)
  • Energy from Magnets and Earth (40)
  • Games and Sports Projects (11)
  • Grid and 3-Phase (20)
  • Health related Projects (27)
  • Home Electrical Circuits (13)
  • Indicator Circuits (16)
  • Inverter Circuits (100)
  • Lamps and Lights (163)
  • Meters and Testers (72)
  • Mini Projects (28)
  • Motor Controller (68)
  • Oscillator Circuits (30)
  • Pets and Pests (15)
  • Power Supply Circuits (91)
  • Remote Control Circuits (50)
  • Security and Alarm (65)
  • Sensors and Detectors (107)
  • SMPS and Converters (46)
  • Solar Controller Circuits (62)
  • Temperature Controllers (44)
  • Timer and Delay Relay (50)
  • Voltage Control and Protection (44)
  • Water Controller (37)
  • Wireless Circuits (31)



Circuit Simulator

circuit simulator image



Subscribe to get New Circuits in your Email



Other Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Copyright
  • Videos
  • Sitemap

People also Search

555 Circuits | 741 Circuits | LM324 Circuits | LM338 Circuits | 4017 Circuits | Ultrasonic Projects | SMPS Projects | Christmas Projects | MOSFETs | Radio Circuits | Laser Circuits | PIR Projects |



Recent Comments

  • Swagatam on 2 Cool 50 Watt Inverter Circuits for Students and Hobbyists
  • Swagatam on The Perfect FM Radio Circuit using TDA7000 IC
  • Swagatam on 9 Simple Sine Wave Generator Circuits Explored
  • way on 2 Cool 50 Watt Inverter Circuits for Students and Hobbyists
  • Athull on The Perfect FM Radio Circuit using TDA7000 IC

Social Profiles

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • My Facebook-Page
  • Stack Exchange
  • Linkedin

© 2026 · Swagatam Innovations