Hi all,

I am currently attempting to build a word clock for my girlfriend for Christmas, following these tutorials:

http://www.highonsolder.com/blog/2011/1/8/arduino-word-clock.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Sleek-word-clock/

I am building it using an Arduino instead of the micro controller that they have used in these tutorials just for ease really.

I've followed the following circuit schematic:
http://www.highonsolder.com/display....JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1294531692634

But have replaced the ATMega for my arduino.

I am now at the stage of prototyping my circuit with a breadboard and it is at this pint that I have run into troubles. I think I have followed the schematic correctly, however when I power it using my arduino there doesn't seem to be enough power to light up any of the LED's. At this stage I am only connecting one group of LED's at a time so there should be no reason that they wouldn't power with 5V going through the circuit (I think).

All the components seem to be OK and the arduino powers fine when powered out of the circuit. Maybe its worth mentioning that when I first connect the arduino to the circuit the power lights are bright but after 30 seconds or so they are only dully lit.

Sorry if this is a really basic thing that I have missed out here, my electronics knowledge is just about nil and this is my first experience in it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is an image of the circuit that I currently have, if it helps?


Thanks
Craig

 

Your schematic does not show LEDs or current-limit resistors for them. Are these correct?