Hi All,
I am wanting to make a 3 stage power level meter using 6 LED's but to display only a pair of LED's at a given voltage, for example 0-1.5V will display 2 RED LED's, 1.6-3V displays only 2 YELLOW LED's, 3.6-5V displays only 2 WHITE LED's. I have seen plenty battery meters that gradually light more LED's as voltage is increased but I am lost at how to display only a pair with each voltage range.

 

The simplest way is probably the LM3915 in 'dot' mode. This IC is obsolete but they are still available.

 

The simplest way is probably the LM3915 in 'dot' mode. This IC is obsolete but they are still available.

Thanks, I see LM3194's are quite cheap, should do the same job!

 

Thanks, I see LM3194's are quite cheap, should do the same job!

If the price seems cheap, they're probably counterfeit. Make sure you don't buy from any source shipping from China. I wouldn't trust any Chinese source unless it was through a reputable distributor who will certify authenticity.

For a part that's out of production, that isn't an option. Caveat emptor.

 

The LM3914 is linear, the LM3915 is logarithmic. https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/texas-instruments/LM3914V-NOPB/LM3914V-NOPB-ND/212685