Circuitbenders Forum
Circuitbenders Forum => Circuitbending discussion => Toys => Topic started by: crossedout on April 18, 2010, 01:50:24 AM
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the way i make my LFO's into toys is i build a simple LED flasher circuit from a 555 chip running two LED's. i then tape one LED to a photo resistor and mount the other LED on the outside of the toy. then i just solder the two ends of the photo resistor to my bend.
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3357/lfo.jpg)
but here is my question, could i put my LFO in a breakout box with a 1/4 jack output that is connected to the photo resistor, and then put a 1/4 jack input on my toy with the jack connected to the bend that i want to add my lfo to.
i would then use a patch chord to connect the two.
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2199/lfo2.jpg)
would this work?
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So far as I know, yes - Although I'd imagine you'd potentially have to consider voltage differences and the like.
I'm working on something with a similar idea to this tomorrow, I could report if you'd like. I'm sure people more experienced with 555s than I could tell you more definitely though.
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sure! i would definitely be interested, 555's are great.
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Oh, hang on.
You'd still be using the Photoresistor and the LED yeah?
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yes
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Yes, that will work. I've been doing very similar experiments myself.
http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1502.msg9134.html#msg9134 (http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1502.msg9134.html#msg9134)
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Funnily enough, that vid was exactly what I was thinking about.
I'm experimenting with just sending the output straight through a jack - hopefully I'll at least have some sound tonight.
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thanks for the input! that video is great.
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alright i have another question. my original plan was to build a two in one lfo box so i could drive two toys at the same time, at different speeds or synced up to the same speed. but more is better, so the question is could i drive 4 toys (2 of each having the same speed as each other, or all 4 synced up) with only 2 lfo circuits? would the fan-out of the 555 chip take part in this? also, the way i would sync them to the same speed is simply putting a switch in between the outputs of the 555's, i would turn one lfo circuit off and then hit the sync switch so one circuit would be driving 4 of the outputs.
basically the question is could i run 4 led's at the same brightness from one lfo circuit.
(http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1572/lfo3.jpg)
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Yes of course, just make sure the outputs that drive the LEDs are buffered correctly.
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would it matter if i used mono or stereo patch cables and jacks? would just mono be ok?
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do you have an illustration of your lfo with the in-out jacks? i have been wanted to build one of these for some time, that i can maybe plug sometime into. this would be an act of mercy! ;-)