Hello, I was introduced to programming in college recently and make model cars. This gave me the idea to add headlights and taillights and have them flash in different sequences to look like a showcar or drift car you might see sometimes. I wrote the program by myself and got it to work with a shift register and Arduino Uno. The problem is that the Uno is far to large for my 1:24 scale car. So I got a Pro Mini and another shift register and the proper LEDs. Now my problem is how exactly to wire everything up and get everything wired and soldered together that it all will work. I get the feeling the way I have them wired isn't the proper way and is still a bit bulky. I had attempted to upload the sketch to Pro Mini and it said it was successful but yet the lights don't seem to want to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I get the feeling the way I have them wired isn't the proper way and is still a bit bulky.
Well until you post how you have wired it up we can not tell if your feelings are correct.
So post the code ( use the code tag icon </> ) and post a schematic.
See how to ask a question and post code here:-
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Sorry about that. I have attached two pictures, one of the schematic I'm using and one of the actual wired up Pro Mini and Shift Register. The code does what I want with the Uno so I don't think I have to change anything other than make sure I use the correct pins. It makes the post too long even with using the code tag.
Why a shift register.
An Arduino has enough pins to drive 8 LEDs directly.
Leo..
Honestly originally I wasn't sure how many I was going to use and my simple research found that a shift register was the simplest way to have room to expand and have all 8 work together easy. If I can do the same stuff without one I will be more than willing as it will save space. Here is a bit of the code to give an example. I don't know how to program it to get the individual pins to do the same as the shift register.
// running in to out
for (int y = 0; y < 10; y++)
{
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 24);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(200);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 36);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(200);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 66);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(200);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 129);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(200);
}
for (int y = 0; y < 4; y++)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 129);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 0);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
}
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 66);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 0);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
}
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 36);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 0);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
}
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 24);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(latchPin, LOW);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, MSBFIRST, 0);
digitalWrite(latchPin, HIGH);
delay(100);
}
Your constructional technique leaves a very lot to be desired. You need to use strip board to make stuff on. The shift register also needs a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor across the supply.
That is not a schematic, it is a physical layout diagram and it is useless for understanding any circuit.
As to using just the pins, look at the simple blink program in the IDE.
I really hate to break the news but just looking at the picture tells me you need some education on assembly and soldering technique. If you made the connections, you may have damaged the parts from your soldering plus, do you know the difference in an anode and a cathode? most likely the chip is damaged from excess heat.
The wire you are using is much to large. You could get by using something like 26 gauge wire. Looks to be that you used maybe 12 of 16 gauge wire. If you used a small circuit board and a socket for your chip. A little bit of flux will allow the solder to flow much faster and smoothly.
If you lived near by, I would gladly give you some hands on training. A clean tip, clean solder, enough temperature so you can get on it and off of it in minimal amount of time. I've had a lot of experience and before I was 10 years old my dad got me a 250 watt iron. Mowing a few yards, I soon got a 35 watt iron, some small rosin core solder and I was in business.
My nephew, I started him on computers as soon as he was out of diapers and just 34 years later last weekend, I taught him how to solder so he could do some modifications on his CatGenie.
You have enough digital pins on the processor, not to have to use a shift register. GoForSmoke started a C++ training thread and demonstrating making a library. His first example was a LED blinker. Could work. Also, using some PWM could make your "lights" dim and bright.
I really have to give you some credit for trying something. DON'T GIVE UP!!!
Good luck on your project tmatz14.
Thanks for the suggestions, I honestly have very little idea on what I am doing. All I have done has been watching many videos about how all of this works and everything was just about with a breadboard and getting it setup, I didn't really find anything on how to actually get everything soldered together. I have no clue what the ceramic capacitor is for or would do. I am using 22 AWG wire and a new soldering iron and very fine rosin core solder that is new as well. Looking back I really should have been here a month ago when I started planning so that I could do better the first time instead of being in this situation. I will look into seeing how to get the leds to work with just the pins, but any more help you guys can give will be greatly appreciated.
I have no clue what the ceramic capacitor is for or would do.
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Tutorial/De-coupling.html
When using chips a capacitor is not optional it is essential.
I am using 22 AWG wire
Too big, use 28 gauge.