I am a total newbie that is trying to get a quick education for several projects I am going to try to jump into. I have spent many hours reading over the 555 timer tutorial and have printed and completed the worksheets/experiments as well.
Based on the last couple of days, I just wanted to summarize what I have done and what I think is going on so I can be corrected before continuing down the wrong road. Warning - I will probably use incorrect terms, but hopefully you can follow.
The one-shot set-up can provide a pulse for a set time that can be determined by the user based on R and C. After the time is up, output goes low again. I am not sure if/how this function will work with what I am looking to do, but I wanted to do see how it worked just in case.
I also went through the astable worksheet. This is where I want to describe how I understand what is going on and you get to tell me where/if I am messed up. The 2 and 6 pins are connected and based on the V they see, decide which "path" to take based on the 1/3 (Pin 2) or 2/3 (Pin 6) of the supply voltage. The C "loads" and "drains" to cause the different times for high and low. Although I had to use slightly different components for my circuit, I was suprised to see how close my calculations came to my measured results.
I had also found an experiment using the 555 as a Schmitt Trigger. So, I jumped in and did that as well. I was able to use the pot. to raise/drop the voltage the 2/6 pins saw to flip (high/low) between 2 LED's. However, this set-up did not include an external capacitor. Pins 5 and 7 were not used.
My final experiment was to replace the pot. with a photocell. I was able to trigger the 2/6 flip by covering/uncovering the photocell. I did have to adjust the additional R so the effect of the covered photocell made the 1/3 to 2/3 trigger. I have several projects that I want to use photocells for so I was happy to get this to work.
Now potential stupid questions.
Is it overkill to use the 555 to just flip based on a photocell?
Is there a better IC to use?
Assuming I have not messed up the "front" side of the photocell experiment, I have the 555 outputing to the red and green LED's. Obviously, I have other plans for the 555 to control. Ideally, I plan to use the output to stop a timer and start a flashing light.
Am I going down the correct path? As long as the output voltage (Supply - 1.7) is sufficient for the "next" circuit at the output, I can just keep going?
I apologize for the length of the post, but I wanted to give some info on what I have done so you can give suggestions. I do not have any of my own circuits to show becuase I have just used the circuits in the tutorial and experiment sections of this site.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Based on the last couple of days, I just wanted to summarize what I have done and what I think is going on so I can be corrected before continuing down the wrong road. Warning - I will probably use incorrect terms, but hopefully you can follow.
The one-shot set-up can provide a pulse for a set time that can be determined by the user based on R and C. After the time is up, output goes low again. I am not sure if/how this function will work with what I am looking to do, but I wanted to do see how it worked just in case.
I also went through the astable worksheet. This is where I want to describe how I understand what is going on and you get to tell me where/if I am messed up. The 2 and 6 pins are connected and based on the V they see, decide which "path" to take based on the 1/3 (Pin 2) or 2/3 (Pin 6) of the supply voltage. The C "loads" and "drains" to cause the different times for high and low. Although I had to use slightly different components for my circuit, I was suprised to see how close my calculations came to my measured results.
I had also found an experiment using the 555 as a Schmitt Trigger. So, I jumped in and did that as well. I was able to use the pot. to raise/drop the voltage the 2/6 pins saw to flip (high/low) between 2 LED's. However, this set-up did not include an external capacitor. Pins 5 and 7 were not used.
My final experiment was to replace the pot. with a photocell. I was able to trigger the 2/6 flip by covering/uncovering the photocell. I did have to adjust the additional R so the effect of the covered photocell made the 1/3 to 2/3 trigger. I have several projects that I want to use photocells for so I was happy to get this to work.
Now potential stupid questions.
Is it overkill to use the 555 to just flip based on a photocell?
Is there a better IC to use?
Assuming I have not messed up the "front" side of the photocell experiment, I have the 555 outputing to the red and green LED's. Obviously, I have other plans for the 555 to control. Ideally, I plan to use the output to stop a timer and start a flashing light.
Am I going down the correct path? As long as the output voltage (Supply - 1.7) is sufficient for the "next" circuit at the output, I can just keep going?
I apologize for the length of the post, but I wanted to give some info on what I have done so you can give suggestions. I do not have any of my own circuits to show becuase I have just used the circuits in the tutorial and experiment sections of this site.
Any feedback would be appreciated.