Here is the Picture

 

OK, do you have any more resistors in the range of around 5k to 10k?

If so, try connecting one from the base of the MPSA14 to ground. This is known as a pull-down resistor. It really shouldn't be needed, but if your transistors are showing 0.56 on the base, and you're seeing the same on the 4017 output, they just aren't getting low enough to turn off.

The pull-down resistor should fix the problem. Somewhere around 6k to 8k would be preferable.

 

So a simple 6-8k resistor from the base of the MPSA14 to the ground will fix it? The LED's are really bright? so the MPSA14 is not turning off so the 2907 is sending power to the LED's all the time?

 

SGT if this works i feel like i owe you something... You have helped me out so much!!

 

Did you try it yet?

0.56v is above what a normal cutoff threshold would be, which is down around 0.5v.

With your previous board, the bases were staying at 12v, or so you said. I pretty much have to think that was a wiring error.

You may have fried the MPSA14 transistors used in the other board. I hope you used a fresh batch here. If Vbe doesn't decrease when you add the resistors, you may need to go even lower - perhaps 4k-5k. If it still doesn't decrease, there's a problem with the transistor.

 

Nope havent done it yet ill do it tomorrow and let you know how it turns out! Ok ya i hope i didnt fry them i have to order them from Digikey! we will see ill let you know! Thanks

 

Ok so if i do this it should work? 5k is good?

 

Yes, that should do it.

 

Good morning ok so when i put a 4.7k resistor in between the base of the MPSA14 and the ground the lights still glow but their intensity is much less but when i turn on my switch to make them move they barely glow and pulse with the 4017 counter.... any more ideas i used a 6.8k one and it was the same problem as before they glow very bright and do nothing.... im sure if i use a 3k one it will work but the LED's wont be bright....

 

what if i changed my 10k to something more to bring down the voltage instead? im out of ideas for this.... i have no idea what to do now....

 

When i test the voltage comming out of the 4017 it spikes at 11.08v and then drops to 8.31v and then back up to 11.08... is that normal? do i need to add something to drop that down to zero and then back up to 12v? And when i disconect the 4017 from the Transistor array The LED's still glow but very dim with the 4.6k resistor in there...

 

The output of a CD4017 goes to 0V when low and goes to the supply voltage when high without a load. Yours does not go to 0V when low.

 

With No load on it IT goes from 11.8v to about 6 volts... That with no lights plugged in just from the Ground to the CD4017 output...

 

But Without the Transistor Circuit the LED lights work great.... For some reason we cant get the transistor circuit to work.... I want this to work so bad....

 

Simply replace the defective CD4017 ICs. Maybe yours are counterfeit.

 

How else could i Amplify the current? im willing to take the whole thing appart and do it again because im so lost

 

ok ill replace them but it still doesnt help with my Transistors....

 

This is very odd.

Did you happen to order some ULN2004A or ULN2804A's?

The MPSA14 does not have an internal pull-down resistor for the base of the output transistor. That may be causing a problem, since the input impedance is so high.

If you don't have any ULN2004/ULN2804's, you can still build a discrete Darlington solution from 2N4401, 2N3904, or 2N2222 transistors.

 

Nope i have none of those I can order anything i need.... I have 2N2222 and 2N3904

 

I was Reading Bill's 555 and flasher page about Transistors.

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=19075&highlight=Transistors

He has just a single Transistor not a darlington... Do i really need a Darlington Transistor? Im just looking at other options trying to do my part.