Electronics - 555 timers

[Flatbadger]

I thought I'd have a go at figuring out electronics recently - I got my self a nice breadboard and a starter kit of bits, with some related projects such as this -

https://www.electronicsclub.info/p_flashingled.htm

The trouble is, I want to study the circuit and there's bugger all on the site telling me what's happening. I've done the basics like Ohm's law, and calculating power use, components etc. - I'm looking at capacitors now and found that I can slow down the flashing light with a higher-rated capacitor..

..so what's the 555 timer for in this circuit?
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Did you read this bit?

[lihp]

Your circuit is simply a 555 Astable

https://www.technologystudent.com/elec1/5555.htm

The 555 IC can also be used as a timer, google 555 Monostable to find more.
____________________
covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[Flatbadger]

[Quornholio]

Get pally with some of the Tommy Taliban types, they'll teach you much more about electronics than any website.
____________________
https://i.imgur.com/fMrhZnH.jpg?1
Everyone give this dood green karma pls --> https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4045389#4045389
XxXxX

[Dagon]

If you're starting electronics completely from scratch get a copy of Make: Electronics, it's excellent.

There's also a chapter on the 555 in there.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Electronics-Learning-Discovery-Through/dp/0596153740/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391764352&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=make+eletronics

[Pete.]

You need to find a copy of crocclips. Let's you build all kinds of circuits on your PC. Of you mess up it even makes a little fire ball when the circuit goes pop.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Flatbadger]

Nice - saves me asking!

A nice papery book is likely what's needed for re-reading with one eye covered while my brain struggles to cope..

And I've seen a few sims, that might be a good way to blend the real and theoretical without bits of LED sticking out of my face..!
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[smegballs]

If you've any interest in building radio gear, check out "Crystal Sets to Sideband".

PDF: https://www.qrparci.org/wa0itp/csts_book.pdf

Starts super simple and gets gradually more complex.

I've been teaching myself RF electronics the last two years and now I've found designing lighting and power electronics is a piece of piss!

[Flatbadger]

My dad was an electronic engineer before he retired so it might be in the genes; my mum was a dinner lady though

I've downloaded that book, cheers! It might be the way forward, with little rewards along the way.
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Pete.]

[WD Forte]

[Flatbadger]

I'm slowly getting it now, I'm going through loads of videos and seeing who explains it in the best way for me, certainly I need to investigate how the voltage is being manipulated around the 555.

Interesting that you add the picture of the Tandy* book, it featured in one of the vids but I mistook it for the bloke's own exercise book - I though you were him for a second there

I made a prototype water level detector for my bath yesterday, and it worked! I might make improvements for next year's bath.

This is a great leap forward for Flatbadger Industries Inc. and as well as that, my sound generator project has resulted only in a Hot Chip, so I'm down with the kids too.

* I got my radio scanner from Tandy years ago - and was trying it only last night. Back in the days of analogue phones, there was a plethora of interesting stuff to er.. avoid. But last night I only managed a snatch of a taxi driver
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Ribenapigeon]

Forrest M Mimms is worth looking up thoughs his books are almost collectable.

Look up circuit simulators as well if you have a tablet. I have a couple on my Samsung tab 2. Handy for just trying things out.

[Flatbadger]

Thanks Boozehawk - I now have the Mims 555 book and a copy of the Croc Clips program, thanks to a couple of BCFers. I've found that a virtual electronic organ crashes it though

There's a 555 simulator here which I'm going to look at soon as well.

Next I'm off to Maplin for fuses as I overloaded my multimeter
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Ribenapigeon]