My view is:
1. when power is applied no LED is ON.
2. press button and 1 LED (which represents the count on the 4017 while it is not enabled) illuminates.
3. after a 5 second delay the LED turns OFF, counter is reset to zero and re-enabled to continue count.

I agree *except* for resetting the counter. If this is a random number generator, what is the reason for forcing it to start at the same point for each cycle?

ak

 

I asked that question back in post #9. Re-read post 9 to 14 , note on #11.
I don't know what "fairly slow" means in this venue but agree if it's anything above even 10Hz doesn't need to reset.

 

I don't know what "fairly slow" means in this venue but agree if it's anything above even 10Hz doesn't need to reset.

Actually, anything *below* 10Hz will be more random if there is *no reset*. At 20 Hz or less, it is possible to time yourself to hit the display button at the same time delay after a LED goes out, causing the same LED to be lit each cycle; at 10 Hz or less it is easy. I coached some graduate students through all of this for some reaction time experiments back when.

ak

 

This is how my circuit should configure into your 4017 circuit with the 555 driver.
Verified on the breadboard as shown.
View attachment 337927

Thank you so much, I am currently building this

 

Thank you so much, I am currently building this

Firstly, thank you.
The circuit works 99%!!!!
what bit does
1-it randomly counts, as per the pin 3 of pulse generator (another separate 555)
2-it blanks when the button is pressed
3-when the button is released, a random led lights
This is where it malfunctions
INSTEAD of the LEDS BEING FROZEN for 5 seconds, it continues counting with the LEDS ON
When I short Q2 the leds stop running, and freeze on 1 led tho.
I have checked the pinout of q2 it is correct, and the transistor checks out as correct
What am I doing wrong????????

 

Doing something wrong as it definitely works on my breadboard.
Q1 is the transistor that shuts off all the LEDs, is it installed correctly?
Can you post a HD photo of your breadboard?

 

Doing something wrong as it definitely works on my breadboard.
Q1 is the transistor that shuts off the all the LEDs, is it installed correctly?
Can you post a HD photo of your breadboard?

you replied waaaay to quickly, I was hoping it would take longer, as I did discover that the wire to q2 had become disconnected.
The only thing I would like, is that when the led does come on after the button is pressed, can the LED pause and illuminate for a longer period. It is only pausing for about 2 seconds.

 

C1 and R2 set the delay. C1 = 10uf R2 = 470K
The component values listed are for an appx 5 second delay.
What values are you using?

 

C1 and R2 set the delay. C1 = 10uf R2 = 470K
The component values listed are for an appx 5 second delay.
What values are you using?

I am using the exact same values as the schematic

 

Is the capacitor installed correctly, negative lead to ground?

 

Is the capacitor installed correctly, negative lead to ground?

I will be back to you shortly

 

Firstly, thank you.
The circuit works 99%!!!!
what bit does
1-it randomly counts, as per the pin 3 of pulse generator (another separate 555)
2-it blanks when the button is pressed
3-when the button is released, a random led lights
This is where it malfunctions
INSTEAD of the LEDS BEING FROZEN for 5 seconds, it continues counting with the LEDS ON
When I short Q2 the leds stop running, and freeze on 1 led tho.
I have checked the pinout of q2 it is correct, and the transistor checks out as correct
What am I doing wrong????????

TAH DAH...IT WORKS.
Needless to say, I am VERY THANKFUL!!!!!!!
I truly appreciate your help, and Im sorry that Ive been such a pain in the Butt!!
Its a wonderful little circuit!!!
You are a credit to this community!!

Now, I have to rebuild the other schematic, as I need 2 working circuits anyways.

 

P.S...The problem WAS the Capacitor as had become unsoldered from the ground....so I rebuilt that part of the circuit

 

TAH DAH...IT WORKS.
Needless to say, I am VERY THANKFUL!!!!!!!
I truly appreciate your help, and Im sorry that Ive been such a pain in the Butt!!
Its a wonderful little circuit!!!

Your welcome.

 

[QUOTE="Kim Sleep, post: 1954183,
I truly appreciate your help
[/QUOTE]
BTW can you elaborate more on the purpose of circuit as it applies to the game?

 

Hi AK

Here is a simulation of your circuit. Hope it helps..
The first graph is at 5V. The second graph is at 9V
I've shown C1,C5 as 0.1u bypass caps, I can change them back to 1.0u if you want.

The push button is shown with a 1 sec delay before press, and 20ms of bounce

View attachment 337797

View attachment 337798

View attachment 337799

OK Analogue
IT WORKS
TAH DAH!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much...as per usual you are a GREAT HELP, I truly appreciate your experience!!!

Smells like a wiring error.

1. Is the voltage at U1 pin 3 (the "0" output) high or low?

2. Is the voltage at U2 pin 11 high or low?

3. Is the voltage at U2 pins 12 and 13 high or low?

4. Does the voltage at U2 pins 12 and 13 change when you press the button?

ak

 

Hi AK

Here is a simulation of your circuit. Hope it helps..
The first graph is at 5V. The second graph is at 9V
I've shown C1,C5 as 0.1u bypass caps, I can change them back to 1.0u if you want.

The push button is shown with a 1 sec delay before press, and 20ms of bounce

View attachment 337797

View attachment 337798

View attachment 337799

TAH DAH...IT WORKS.
Needless to say, I am VERY THANKFUL!!!!!!!
I truly appreciate your help, and Im sorry that Ive been such a pain in the Butt!!
Its a wonderful little circuit!!! , and it does the trick!!!
A.K. you are amazing!!

 

I agree *except* for resetting the counter. If this is a random number generator, what is the reason for forcing it to start at the same point for each cycle?

ak

TAH DAH...IT WORKS.
Needless to say, I am VERY THANKFUL!!!!!!!
I truly appreciate your help, and Im sorry that Ive been such a pain in the Butt!!
Its a wonderful little circuit!!!

 

I would like to thank EVERYONE that added their helpful bits and pieces to this
IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

 

I asked that question back in post #9. Re-read post 9 to 14 , note on #11.
I don't know what "fairly slow" means in this venue but agree if it's anything above even 10Hz doesn't need to reset.

Im sorry to bother you all the way up in Colorado (again) but you produced such a beautiful schematic for me, can I get it again, but with transistors driving the outputs???. I just would like to have it absolutely complete, rather than a mis-mash of various schematics. Thank you very much, again.