Simple 2 LEDs flasher

I remember that this was my first circuit several years ago when I used to go to an Electronic Club in my home town.
Few days ago I wanted to do something simple (I do this kind of stuff as relaxation, in the day-by-day life I work as a programmer) with LEDs so this was the right choice :) .
So here is the circuit :

flasher.gif

and the components for it :

  • T1, T2 : 2N3904 or almost any NPN transistors (BC171 , BC172 , 2N2222 etc)
  • C1, C2 : 10uF / 16V
  • D1, D2 : LEDs
  • R1, R4 : 470 Ohms @ 0.25W
  • R2, R3 : 39 KOhms @ 0.25W

The circuit is extremly simple to build :D , the LEDs flashes around once/second. If you want to increase/decrease the flashing rate modify the values of the R2, R3 resistors. The formula for it is about 3*R(in KOhms)*C(in uF)/1000 seconds so, as an example, for this specific circuit :

test.GIF

Here are some pics I made during the building :
1led.JPG

2led.JPG

3led.JPG

Here is a sample video of how it works:


Happy building ;)

11 Comments

  1. Raed says:

    dear sir..
    what is the function theory of the design…?
    how each capacitor effects the opposite transistor ? and why have you used polarized capacitors??

  2. Hi Raed,
    This is just a a classic 2 transistor astable multivibrator.
    An article about it : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multivibrator

  3. Raed says:

    thanks.but i dont understan how the capacitors work in this circuit…?
    which side of the polarized capacitors charge and discharge (positive or negative)??

  4. Hi,
    I’m glad that you are so curious :)
    I’m not to deep into electronics (it is just a hobby for me, I work as a programmer in the real life).
    I searched a little for you and here is what I found about the role of the capacitors in this circuit : http://www.play-hookey.com/digital/experiments/rtl_astable.html
    HTH
    Sorin

  5. Raed says:

    no problem ,..anyway thans for ur interest…

  6. warren says:

    what is the use of the two trasnsistors in the circuit? what makes it blink?

  7. warren says:

    what are other applications of this circuit?

  8. To find the answer to your question just read the comments above yours :)
    Hope this helps
    Sorin

  9. Jimmy says:

    Dear sir…
    can this flasher flash more than 2 LEDs?
    How to do?

  10. hasan says:

    v good can u pest bakward photo?

  11. park says:

    Thanks…tried many 2LEDs flasher circuits for my train crossing -signal light. Only this one work ( I’m new to elec. :) ) and your formula for flash timing & link to study more -very useful to me thanks again.

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