Circuit Building: Red Stop Light | North/East LED

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a red stop light circuit using LEDs for north and east directions. Participants explore the functionality of the circuit layout, including the use of a 4017 decade counter and various components like resistors and diodes. The focus is on the theoretical aspects of the circuit and its operational states.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a layout where the north side is green while the east side is red, and vice versa, with yellow indicating a caution state for north.
  • Another participant compliments the circuit diagram but admits a lack of expertise in electronics.
  • A participant discusses the operation of the 4017 decade counter, suggesting that only one LED will be on at a time and outlines a potential cycling sequence for the LEDs.
  • Concerns are raised about the placement of diodes in series with the green and yellow LEDs, questioning their necessity and suggesting that they may represent an attempt at diode logic.
  • One participant critiques the schematic for only providing pin numbers instead of names, making it difficult to follow the connections without referring to datasheets.
  • Another participant suggests that the circuit may require current drivers to support the outputs of the 4017, indicating uncertainty about its current handling capabilities.
  • There are discussions about the necessity of certain resistors and capacitors in the circuit design, with some participants expressing doubt about their inclusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the schematic's clarity and the necessity of certain components, indicating that there is no consensus on the optimal design or functionality of the circuit.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in the schematic's clarity due to the use of pin numbers instead of names, which may hinder understanding. There is also uncertainty regarding the current capabilities of the 4017 and the necessity of specific components like diodes and resistors.

Marth164
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hello I am trying to make a simple red stop light circuit and I am wondering if this layout would work (one set of leds is for north and other is for east) like i want when the norht side is green the east side is red and other way around and when north is yellow east is still read
 

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Welcome to PF, Marth. I can't help you with your question because electronics is not my thing. I do, however, want to compliment you for what is probably the best circuit diagram that I've seen posted in these forums.
 
If you are using a 4017 decade counter, only one of the output pins will be on (therefore only one LED will be on at a time). To me, it looks like the design will cycle through every LED (staying at green 2 cycles longer).

I think the LEDs will cycle as follows (N=North, E=East, G=Green...)

NG - NG - NG - NY - NR - EG - EG - EG - EY - ER - Back to beginning

I'm also confused as to why you have the diodes in series with the green and yellow LED and not with red. Is there a reason you want them in there?

If I were to do it with the 4017 I would set MR to Q3 (maybe Q4 depending on the timing) to force the counter to go back to Q0. This would give you 4 states (Q0-Q3) corresponding to the 4 different states of the system:

NG ER; NY ER; NR EG; NR EY

With this you would connect the following:
Pin 3: Q0: NG and ER
Pin 2: Q1: NY and ER
Pin 4: Q2: NR and EG
Pin 7: Q3: NR and EY and Pin 15: MR
(I also don't think that 100k resistor or 6.8 nF cap are necessary)

Its been a little while so I invite people to examine my suggestions.

D Dean


Of course you still need a resistor before each LED and I don't think you need any diodes.

Also, I' may be wrong but I'm not sure that the 10k resistor between the 555 and 4017 is necessary.
 
Actually, it's a rather bad schematic, mainly because it only gives pin numbers for the devices, rather than pin names. You have to go to the device datasheets and look up what pin 5 does, for example, to even follow how it's connected.

- Warren
 
Well, I meant for neatness and clarity, and the colour doesn't hurt. I didn't realize that the pins need to be named.

edit: That's peculiar. I just clicked on it again (several times), and a bunch of it is missing now.
 
Last edited:
I'm also confused as to why you have the diodes in series with the green and yellow LED and not with red. Is there a reason you want them in there?
I looks like an attempt at diode logic.
This is the functional equivilent of a prom chip.

The truth table for the diode matrix needs some work.

The 6.8nf and 100k are for power on reset. Nice touch.

Don't know if a 4017 can drive that much current.
Check the spec. You may need to add current drivers to the outputs.
 

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