Unfortunately, new users are not allowed to upload attachments so I cannot send a picture of the circuit I have built. But I have followed the instructions in the instruction book and on the video for the Arduino starter kit/Arduino Uno to build my first circuit and no matter what I try the light doesn't come on. Does anyone have any suggestions I can try? I've purchased 25 starter kits to use in the classroom but I need to make sure I master the concepts first.
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It allowed you to upload the attachments to the thread
What instructions, what book, what video? Can you post links?
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The book came with the kit so I don't have a link. Here is the kit: Arduino Starter Kit Multi-language — Arduino Online Shop
Is the LED the right way round ?
Does the LED come on if you connect it directly between 5V and GND with the resistor in series with it ?
Do you have that exact breadboard or maybe one with a break in the centre of the power rails on each side ?
Rotate led by 180 degrees and re-insert it.
I've tried the LED light in both directions to make sure I am getting it right. i have trouble understanding the other two questions. I am VERY new and I am just trying to read the instructions and understand the very basics. I have tried more than one LED to make sure it wasn't a problem with the light.
this didn't work
Never the less, it's in the wrong way around in your photo. There is a "flat spot" on one side of the led and that should be connected to ground.
Replace the jumper wires.
OK, I will open up one of the other kits and grab the wires. Each kit only comes with one set of wires. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
The kits are at school so I will reply once I go get my hands on them
It baffles me that Arduino sell these kits at all. Uno + breadboard = crazy. Why don't they use classic Nano or something else that's breadboard-compatible with these kits? With the money saved not having to make and assemble those useless-waste-of-plastic baseboards, they could include a larger more useful breadboard.
Replace the switch with a jumper wire. If the LED lights and you have its flat spot to GND then the problem is with the switch or its wiring
Those switches are easy to get the wrong way round. To be sure that you have connected across the switch contacts connect the jumpers to diagonally opposite connections
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YAY! I was able to get it to work by switching the jumper wires to different shorter wires in the kit. I think maybe one of the longer wires that came with the kit were bad. I appreciate everyone's help so much!
I am glad that you got it working
Points to take from this topic
- wire the circuit exactly as shown
- some components only work when oriented correctly
- when looking for a problem break the project down into smaller parts and test them individually
- use substitution of components to identify or eliminate bad ones
- there may be multiple problems making diagnosis difficult
If you do not already have a multimeter then get one. Cheap and cheerful is good enough to test voltage and continuity
Probably because you can use male-male Dupont jumpers to connect Uno sockets to breadboard sockets. When you plug a Nano into a breadboard, it uses up a lot of breadboard space.
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But if you use a Nano you don't need the jumpers
The proportion of breadboard space used by a Nano depends on the size of the breadboard and most starter projects have few components anyway
It would, however, be nice if there were a Nano specific breadboard with the holes spaced to allow 4 (or more) connections to each pin and for the 5V, 3.3V and GND pins to be connected to power rails just by plugging in the Nano
Even a board that would accept a "wide DIP" would be better.