Long-Term Project Log — From LED to Smart Device - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 07:21:38 am
content: This is a long-term learning project log where I start from the simplest possible circuit — lighting one LED — and step by step upgrade it into a more capable smart device.Each stage adds one new concept or component, so it’s a continuous build rather than a collection of random experiments.⚡ What this is:A structured project log with clear milestones.Each step is both a learning stage and a real upgrade to the device.Posts here will have a short summary + schematic/photo, with a link to a YouTube lesson page when it’s ready.🚫 What this isn’t:Not a dump of random tinkering.Not aimed at professional engineers — this is DIY beginner-level.I’ll simplify where deep engineering detail isn’t needed.🔄 Note: The exact order may shift a little, and I may add extra steps as it evolves. The roadmap stays flexible so the project remains logical and fun.💬 Feedback:Feedback and corrections are welcome. Just keep in mind this is beginner DIY, not industrial design. My goal is to learn electronics step by step, and if others benefit too, that’s even better.📌 Phase 1 – Fundamentals1. ✅Lighting your first LED— first working circuit; resistor protects the LED.🚧 Switch Basics (coming soon) — turn the LED on/off with different switch types and ratings.🚧 Helping a Weak Switch with a Transistor or MOSFET (coming soon) — tiny switch controls bigger current safely.🚧 Capacitor LED Fade-Out (coming soon) — stored energy makes LED fade after power-off.🚧 Multimeter Basics (coming soon) — measure voltage, current, resistance correctly.🚧 Potentiometer Brightness Control (coming soon) — variable resistor to dim/brighten LED.🚧 Ohm’s Law in Practice (coming soon) — simple rule linking voltage, current, and resistance.🚧 RC Timing (coming soon) — resistor + capacitor create predictable time delays.🚧 Piezo Buzzer + Simple Oscillator (coming soon) — add sound with a simple circuit.🚧 555 Timer LED Blinker (coming soon) — use a classic timer IC to blink LED automatically.🚧 Breathing LED Effect (555 + RC) (coming soon) — smooth fade in/out using timing and shaping.🚧 RGB LED Basics (coming soon) — common anode vs cathode; three resistors; simple color mixing (note: 4.5 V improves green/blue).🚧 Digital Pot Controls Breathing Speed (coming soon) — U/D digipot + two buttons adjust overall breathing rate.🚧 Independent Fade-In vs Fade-Out Speeds (coming soon) — diodes + switch + second digipot for separate rise/fall control.🚧 Light Sensor Demo (coming soon) — LED responds to ambient light.🚧 Op-Amp Buffer (coming soon) — stabilizes sensor output for reliability.🚧 Protection Circuits (coming soon) — surge, reverse-polarity, and short-circuit protection basics.🚧 Low-Battery Protection (coming soon) — avoid malfunction when supply voltage drops.📌 Phase 2 – Analog Building Blocks (no MCU yet)🚧 Hall Sensor Basics (coming soon) — LED/buzzer reacts to a magnet.🚧 IR Receiver Basics (coming soon) — TV remote button press blinks LED (no decoding yet).🚧 Comparator Threshold Switch (coming soon) — turn LED on/off at a defined level.🚧 Schmitt Trigger & Hysteresis (coming soon) — clean up noisy signals for stable behavior.🚧 Basic Transistor Amplifier (coming soon) — boost weak sensor signals.🚧 LC Filter & Ferrite Bead (coming soon) — reduce noise/EMI in simple circuits.📌 Phase 3 – First MCU (ATtiny series)🚧 ATtiny Intro (coming soon) — power up and blink an LED with code.🚧 PWM Dimming with ATtiny (coming soon) — smooth LED brightness in software.🚧 EEPROM Demo (coming soon) — store and reload values (e.g., brightness).🚧 Watchdog Timer (coming soon) — recover from software freezes safely.🚧 IR Remote Decoding (coming soon) — read which button was pressed and act on it.🚧 Rotary Encoder with MCU (coming soon) — count steps/direction; adjust modes/brightness.🚧 Digital Potentiometer (I²C/SPI) (coming soon) — MCU controls resistance; bridge digital input to analog world.🚧 ADC with MCU Reference (coming soon) — measure voltages with built-in reference; understand limits.🚧 External Voltage Reference IC (coming soon) — more precise ADC readings; compare to MCU reference.🚧 Low-Battery Detection (coming soon) — detect and warn/shutdown via ADC + reference.📌 I’ll keep this first post updated as the index, so newcomers can find all steps in one place. Each new lesson will get a short reply in this thread with a summary, schematic/photo, and a link to its page.Best regards,Wicher

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 08:45:19 am
content: Step 1: Lighting Your First LED — BasicsThe very first circuit: powering an LED safely.Why: LEDs need current limiting, otherwise they burn out.How: A resistor in series protects the LED.Result: Our first working device 🎉Parts needed:2 × AA batteries (1.5 V each) + holder1 × LED (red in this example)1 × resistor ~220 Ω (150–330 Ω works fine)Breadboard + jumper wiresSchematic:Watch the video on YouTube

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 05:15:03 pm
content: Is this really appropriate for this forum? This isn't a project, it's a personal blog.

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 05:36:57 pm
content: I see your point, but I don’t agree. This is a project — I’m building one circuit step by step and upgrading it along the way. I’m simply documenting that process here.It’s not a personal blog — the actual hosting is on my site and YouTube. Here, I’m just keeping a log so people who are interested can follow, comment, or give feedback. If moderators feel it doesn’t belong, they can decide that.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 08:10:33 pm
content: Perhaps you could post you work in substantial chunks. Nobody on this forum requires an uninvited lesson on how to calculate an LED resistor, I mean the last time I have to do this I did it in a one line SMS message.

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 08:25:47 pm
content: It's not even correct! Either the battery or LED is reversed.

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 09:12:34 pm
content: Hi,Please remove my thread “Long-Term Project Log — From LED to Smart Device”.The reason is that I don’t like the attitude I’ve encountered in some of the replies. If there’s already this much pushback and uncertainty about whether it belongs here, I don’t want to risk wasting my time and energy continuing it on this forum.Thank you for understanding.Best regards,Wicher

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 10:38:23 pm
content: Ha! Only chatGPT adds that many emojis to a wall of text.📌📌🚫🚫🚧🚧🚧

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 10:52:12 pm
content: Quote from: Smokey on August 29, 2025, 10:38:23 pmAnd what? You have problem with that? If you have tool to make your work easier you are using it.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 11:50:20 pm
content: Quote from: Wicher on August 29, 2025, 10:52:12 pm😂😂 Omg yesss!!! 💯💯 You nailed itttt 🙌🙌✨✨Like seriously, who wouldn’t sprinkle a few (ok maybe a ton 🤭🤭) emojis in there?? 🌈🌈🔥🔥 It’s like… seasoning your words 🌶️🌶️🍜🍜 — without it, soooo bland 😴😴.And HELLOOO 🚀🚀💡💡 — if you’ve got the tool to make life easier, smoother, cooler 😎😎✨, you USE it!!! 🛠️⚡💪👏👏So yeahhh 📌📌🚧🚧 — keep rockin’ those emoji walls like the legend you are 🌟🌟👑👑💥💥Do you want me to crank it up even more with an ultra-emoji overdose version? 🌊🌊🤯🤯🎉🎉(and yes, chatGPT generated that)

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2025, 11:58:01 pm
content: JFC, I got eye cancer reading this thread.

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 30, 2025, 12:14:54 am
content: if you think ChatGpt generated that list you didnt ever use ChatGpt, ChatGPT is far from perfection and its imposible to make list like this in one prompt unless you insert all the things in prompt, also i dont see anything wrong with that i sad that i am newbie i dont pretend to be an expert so i get help wherever i can get it. To many emoji maybe but they dont disturb me at all you just searching any thing to stick to thats why i sad that attitude in this forum is bad.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2025, 12:41:30 am
content: I think many people are AI hypersensitive now, given how pervasive it is. I would suggest working more towards the end form of what you hope your project will be. It's a little unclear what the end goal/item is going to be. A digitally controlled...something? I think people are willing to help guide to you an end goal, but perhaps not on your personal journey of every rudiment along the way. Especially when those rudiments aren't really needed in the final project.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2025, 10:00:57 am
content: "I’ll simplify where deep engineering detail isn’t needed."Showing a LED circuit as a project is somewhat "hmmm" on an electronics forum. If this is a real learners' project, you should consider clearing up those points:- The supply voltage chosen - is it high enough for later parts of your project?- What type of LED did you chose - and why? How did you calculate the necessary resistor? Why is that resistor needed at all?I don't mind updated build projects. But this projects lacks some basic goals, and nomenclatura, and the target audience is maybe just not around in this forum.

author: Wicher
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 30, 2025, 11:38:10 am
content: Quote from: Haenk on August 30, 2025, 10:00:57 amBut I told this before and i will say this again i am begginer and i need help and correction even on basic and easy stuff. I will probably make a lot mistakes like for example someone point out that on schematic the LED or battery is connected wrong way i fixed it now but it was mistake. I didnt come here to look for audience and i told this before i came here for feedback for help. But if you all dont wanna help its perfectly fine for me i will manage to do it myself somehow.