Combining an LDR sensor with random blinking

Using Arduino Sensors
1

I'm trying to create a code that has an LED (2 in this case), randomly blinking on/off between set values. I've got this part working amongst the code below.

But I also want to incorporate a LDR sensor into it, so that the closer a hand gets (the less light it receives) the brighter and more stable (gradually stop blinking) the light gets.

//Work in progress Code
int LED1 = 9; // LED connected to digital pin 9
int LED2 = 11;

long randOn = 0; // Initialize a variable for the ON time
long randOff = 0; // Initialize a variable for the OFF time
int val = 0; // variable used to store the value coming from the senor

void setup() // run once, when the sketch starts
{
randomSeed (analogRead (0)); // randomize
pinMode( LED1, OUTPUT); // sets the digital pin as output
pinMode( LED2, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() // run over and over again
{
val = analogRead(0); // read the value from the sensor

analogWrite(LED1, val/4);
analogWrite(LED2, val/4);
delay(10);

randOn = random (10, 150); // generate ON time between 0.02 and 0.15 seconds
randOff = random (250, 2000); // generate OFF time between 0.25 and 2.5 seconds
digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH); // sets the LED on
digitalWrite(LED2, HIGH);
delay(randOn); // waits for a random time while ON
digitalWrite(LED1, LOW); // sets the LED off
digitalWrite(LED2, LOW);
delay(randOff); // waits for a random time while OFF

}

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? At the moment, it's only blinking the LED's randomly, not reacting to the sensor at all...

Thanks!

2

First question, how do you have the LDR hooked up?

--
The Gadget Shield: accelerometer, RGB LED, IR transmit/receive, speaker, microphone, light sensor, potentiometer, pushbuttons

3 
 analogWrite(LED1, val/4);
  analogWrite(LED2, val/4);
  delay(10);
  
 randOn = random (10, 150);    // generate ON time between 0.02 and 0.15 seconds
 randOff = random (250, 2000);    // generate OFF time between 0.25 and 2.5 seconds
   digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH);   // sets the LED on
   digitalWrite(LED2, HIGH);

So, 1/100th of a second after you wrote a PWM value, you turn it full on anyway?

4

RuggedCircuits - I've got the LDR connected to a resistor, into the ground and 5.v of my arduino uno board?

AWOL - Should I not have the digital write function in the code?

5

Probably not.
Look at how "loop" well, loops, so things repeat.
A digitalWrite will turn the LED either fully on or fully off (which is which depends on how you've wired the LED).

6

I've got the LDR connected to a resistor, into the ground and 5.v of my arduino uno board?

It's still not exactly clear, but how about you write a small program just to test your LDR. Take the analogRead() readings and print them to the serial terminal.

--
Beat707: MIDI drum machine / sequencer / groove-box for Arduino

7

cool thanks,

what would you have instead of digitalWrite though?

8

what would you have instead of digitalWrite though

Personally?
Nothing.

9

RuggedCircuits - my LDR works, I've used it with other codes, I've got it so that it gets brighter as you get near (as the LDR receives less light), I'm just trying to combine that with the random blinking, i.e when there is a set level of light it randomly blinks. Then when this light is reduced, it will become stable and begin getting brighter...