is focused on bringing people and electronics closer and easier by creating systems that can meet different uses. In this sense, through this platform can develop various types of microcomputers from a single plate.
In this way, it contains all the necessary elements so that it is possible to connect peripherals to the inputs and outputs of a microcontroller. One thing you should know is that can be programmed on computers such as macOS, Windows or GNU/Linux.
Specifically in this post, we will share a simple step-by-step guide for you to learn How to light several leds at the same time in Arduino? Added to that, we share a list of projects with led lights that you can do with this plate.
How many led lights can be used on an Arduino board?
As we mentioned earlier, there are many. However, depending on the type of plate used, different projects can be carried out. When it comes to connecting led lights to a board, you should know that you can connect as many as you want.
Nevertheless, each type of plate has a specific limitso depending on it, the uniform operation of the lights will be determined. So, if you are going to carry out a project that involves the integration of lights of this type, you must consider the capacity of the board.
Therefore, we recommend you review:
- The plate model that you use
- maximum capacity either recommended of the board model you chose.
- consumption decade led.
A) Yes, you will have a reference of how many led lights you can connect without affecting performance of the hob or affect the lighting in general.
Learn step by step how to turn on several leds at the same time on Arduino
In this step-by-step guide we will explain how to light a sequence of several ledssimulating the shooting star effect. In this sense, a set of 12 lights will light up in sequence.
Keep reading so that you can do it easily:
The materials to use
- 12 LED lights (yellow, red and green colors).
- A card or Arduino Mega 2560.
- A computer.
- A cable USB printer.
- Card Breadboard.
- Cables For the assembly.
- 12 resistors electrical 220 ohm.
Mounting
The realization of the assembly of the circuit is first displayed in the TinkerCad program. But, before doing so, it is necessary connect each led. For this, you must know which is the cathode and the anode of them. Once you are clear, you must use pins 2 to 13 to connect each of the 12 leds. The anode of each led goes on a certain pin and the cathode will always go to ground.
Keep in mind that you must use a breadboard to help install the leds and the circuit by using wires, just like the resistors. After the circuit is armed in TinkerCad, It is time to start with the development of the program in the Arduino IDE. It should be noted that the SDI (Integrated Development Environment or Integrated Development Environment) It is the platform through which the codes are entered.
Arduino IDE
- Select the Arduino board you’re working with, either the Arduino Uno-R3 or Arduino Mega 2560.
- Press the Serial Port. Under which USB port will the Arduino be connected to the computer.
It’s time to make the code:
- The first thing to do is give it a name referring to what the code consists of. This is done through the symbol // (You can place the title of the practice or the program). It can also be used as comments within the program.
- Then, you have to declare the variables. a vector is created int pinArray={2,3…}. The square brackets are to indicate that a vector is being declared. Now, to select a specific entry of the vector used pinArray y will return 3. Vectors in the IDE range from 0 to n.
- It’s time to declare variables of integer type that define the time it will take to turn on one light and another (waitStart), the number of leds that light up simultaneously (tailLength) and the number of leds (lineSize). All three are of type int.
- Next, in the segment corresponding to void setup each component of the vector is declared pinArray is of the type OUTPUT. It is performed compactly using a loop for that goes from 0 until i is smaller ( It ) than the number of LEDs.
- in the segment of void setup is indicated to turn on the quantity of LEDs indicated in tailLength. Then, through an if statement, it is established that from the tailLength Led the next one turns on, but the last one in the queue turns off. So on until reaching the end of the number of LEDs.
- Once the development of the program has been completed, it is necessary to compile to check for errors within the code. In case there aren’t any, it’s time to upload the code to the Arduino board for it to run.
Note that so that the Arduino IDE understands the commandsa semicolon must be placed at the end of each statement (;). Finally, we share with you how it looks in code so that you can check how the procedures explained above were reflected in the Arduino IDE.
Let’s see:
//Shooting star int pinArray = {2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 }; // Vector where the LEDs will be declared int waitStart= 200; // Time between turning on one LED and another int tailLength = 4; // Number of active LEDs int lineSize = 12; // Total number of LEDs void setup() { int i; for (i=0; i< lineSize; i++) { pinMode(pinArray, OUTPUT); } } void loop() { int i; int tailCounter = tailLength; // Set up a counter with the LEDS //that should light up at the same time I set up the tail length in a counter for (i=0; i<lineSize; i++) { digitalWrite(pinArray,HIGH); // Light tailLength LEDs consecutively delay(waitStart); // Control how fast each LED turns on if (tailCounter == 0) { digitalWrite(pinArray,LOW); // Turn off the tail LEDs backwards } else if (tailCounter > 0) tailCounter–; } for (i=(lineSize-tailLength); i<lineSize; i++) { digitalWrite(pinArray,LOW); // Turn off the remaining LEDs delay(waitStart); // Controls how quickly the LEDs turn off } }
List of the best projects with led lights with Arduino that you can do yourself
Thanks to the creation of the Arduinopeople can let your imagination run wild and give way to a series of projects very interesting.
To give you an idea, here is a list of the best projects you can do with RGB LED lights and Arduino:
color cube
This is a very fun project and it helps you to place it in different spaces. This cube of colors it can change according to the time you have or every few seconds. It is ideal to use as a diode lamp and decorate spaces. Regarding its construction, you will need 512 RGB led diodesa microcontroller that can be a Arduino UNOa cable either drums to power the diodes, 6 crystals and a base to support the structure.
When you have all the materials, you must join the diodes to form a cube or that resemble said form. The trick to achieve this is to bend one leg of the diode perpendicular to it, creating a right angle to the other leg. It should be noted that there will be a side without any connection to each other, but all will be attached to an RGB led diode. After the structure has the desired shape, it is necessary to attach the excess pins to the microcontroller board.
Subsequently, it should be mentioned that the side of this cube must have about 8 x 8 diodescreating a cube of 8 x 8 x 8 RGB leds. In this way, the legs of the diodes that remain loose are attached to the board. Immediately afterwards, on the plate Enter a program that turns on progressively and with different colors. When the assembly is ready, the crystals will be used to create a kind of layer that protects and covers the diodes.
informative sign
This project is more useful than the previous one and serves different purposes. To do it, you will need about 510 RGB Led diodes or you can replace it with strips of the same type. The goal is to build a rectangle about 10 x 51 LED diodes. Also, you will need 3 acrylic sheets that will serve as the support and protector of the sign. In addition to that, it also requires cables for wiring, a battery to power and a microcontroller board. (Arduino UNO).
The way to carry out this project, is developing the structure and on it to place the diodes. We recommend using one of the acrylic sheets as a support for the LED lights, since being transparent, the final result will not be appreciated. Later, with a fine wire you must add the diodes and connect them to the microcontroller. When everything is connected correctly, you must connect the microcontroller to the battery and enter the program you want in it.
With the program, the following functions will be executed:
- Light determined leds.
- each diode will have a color certain.
The result is super interesting. since it is possible to create letters, signs or symbols that can be used in different situations.
touch table with lights
This last idea is very funny, but it is the most complex of all. In this case, apart from the led lights and the Arduino, tactile sensors or IR sensors will be used.
The materials with which they will work are:
- Table with transparent surface.
- 10 x 16 matrix RGB LED diodes.
- 10 x 16 matrix IR touch sensors.
- SD or MicroSD card for data storage.
- Module of Bluetooth.
- License plate Arduino.
- smart speaker with connection by Bluetooth.
First of all, they must create nodes or keys that form the union of the tactile sensor together with the diode, and what will be the controls that will be pressed when playing with the table. Thus, each node can emit information if the panel is touched and, subsequently, emit a light.
With this mechanism, it will be possible to play Tetris, visual memory games, snake, etc. with the table. Total 160 nodes will be usedwhich can be distributed in the form of a matrix of 10×16. This matrix must be placed under the glass of the table. It should be noted that the glass on the table must be replaced with a smoother surface such as acrylic plastic. The purpose of this is that the sensor works when pressed.
Once that is done, you have to create the program that works and runs with said array. Games like Tetris can be implemented. Just insert it into the motherboard and it connects to the matrix. To make it even more attractive, you can add sound through a bluetooth speaker that connects to the bluetooth sensor that has the microcontroller board. This is a small summary of these , so you know everything you can achieve starting from these ideas. Definitely, it’s worth a try.
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