STEP 1 / 6ELECTRONICS

Night Lamps

Fig. 1: Night-vision clock circuit LEDs are used in the following two different night lamp circuits. Both of them might be utilized in different ways; one as a night-vision clock, and the…

Circuit Atlas themed schematic for Night Lamps
PROJECT#137
TRACKElectronics
PARTS01
STAGES06
STEP 1 / 6 · Overview

Know the mission before touching a wire.

Understand what you are making, prepare the right tools, and make the workbench safe.

01

Project details

Night Lamps is a electronics project. Fig. 1: Night-vision clock circuit LEDs are used in the following two different night lamp circuits. Both of them might be utilized in different ways; one as a night-vision clock, and the…

Source pages
265-267
Named parts
1
Build goal
Working, tested prototype
02

Tools you need

  • Digital multimeter
  • Wire stripper and side cutters
  • Soldering iron with a fine tip
  • Current-limited bench supply

Use eye protection, good lighting, and a clean insulated surface throughout the build.

03

Safety precautions

  • Disconnect every power source before changing a connection.
  • Check component polarity, pinout, and supply voltage twice.
  • Use a current limit for the first power-up.
  • This project may involve hazardous voltage. Work only with qualified supervision and proper isolation.
Ready to continue?
STEP 2 / 6 · Parts library

Gather, identify, and understand every part.

Use the standardized inventory, then open What's this? to learn each part's role, advantages, limitations, handling, and specifications.

NAMED PROJECT INVENTORY1 PART LINES
PARTTYPEQTYREADY
PLED1, LED12, LED13, LED36 - indicator LEDs identified in the circuitPART1
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Circuit Atlas themed schematic for Night LampsPART LEARNING VIEW

LED1, LED12, LED13, LED36 - indicator LEDs identified in the circuit

A named project component whose exact role is defined by the source circuit and build guide.

What it does here

It performs a documented electrical, control, interface, or construction function in this project.

Buy / compare this part

Advantages

  • Selected for this project
  • Can be checked independently
  • Supports modular troubleshooting

Limitations

  • Substitutes may differ
  • Generic names can hide variants
  • Pinouts and ratings vary

Handling

  • Compare the received part with the source
  • Keep it labelled
  • Do not force connectors or adjusters

Specifications to verify

  • Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for LED1, LED12, LED13, LED36 - indicator LEDs identified in the circuit; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
  • Confirm dimensions, ratings, connection method, polarity, and environmental limits.
Ready to continue?
STEP 4 / 6 · Source code

Confirm the hardware-only control path.

This project does not include firmware in the source. The circuit itself provides the required behaviour.

01

How to connect

  1. Match every controller label to the circuit view and source pin map.
  2. Join grounds before signal wires when separate low-voltage supplies are used.
  3. Keep motors, relays, pumps, and other loads on a suitable driver and external supply.

Common mistakes

Reversed VCC/GND, board-label versus GPIO-number confusion, missing common ground, and charge-only USB cables.

Troubleshoot

Disconnect loads, continuity-test one path at a time, then test with a current limit.

02

Software preparation

No IDE, board package, library, or firmware upload is required for this project.

If you add a programmable controller as an extension, document its pin map separately.

03

How to upload code

The original design is implemented entirely in hardware, so proceed after verifying the circuit and supply.

Ready to continue?
STEP 5 / 6 · Build

Assemble, deploy, test, and troubleshoot.

Use the complete source notes in build order, then pass the final checks before calling the project finished.

ASSEMBLY

Build in functional stages

  • Power and regulation
  • Controller or processing stage
  • Inputs and sensors
  • Outputs and loads
  • Enclosure and strain relief
TEST

Power up safely

  • Inspect unpowered continuity first
  • Apply the lowest safe current limit
  • Measure supply rails before signals
  • Add one load at a time
  • Record expected and actual results
TROUBLESHOOT

Work from simple to complex

  • Confirm power, ground, polarity, and orientation
  • Compare each pin with the source
  • Test inputs separately from outputs
  • Replace only one variable at a time
  • Power off before every correction
PROJECT-SPECIFIC BUILD NOTES

Follow the documented instructions.

These notes come from this project's source and remain in their original order.

01

Project overview

Project build note

Fig. 1: Night-vision clock circuit LEDs are used in the following two different night lamp circuits. Both of them might be utilized in different ways; one as a night-vision clock, and the other as a TV lamp. Both of the circuits are AC-operated and draw an extremely low amount of electricity. Additionally, these are guarded against oscillations in the mains. The night-vision lamp has twelve LEDs laid out in a circular design similar to that of a wall clock, whilst the TV lamp has twenty-four LEDs placed in a prism-like pattern. The circuit of the night-vision clock is depicted in Figure 1. The voltage is kept at a safe level by the 15V zener diode, the current is lowered to a safe limit by capacitor C1 (0.22uF), which is responsible for reducing the current, and diode D1 is responsible for providing rectified DC, which brings out the characteristic color of white LEDs. The circuit is guarded against a high inrush current by the resistor R2, and it has additional LED protection provided by the resistor R1, which is employed.

Fig. 2: TV lamp circuit Assemble the circuit on a PCB that serves a general function, and then mount the white LEDs (LED1 through LED12) in the circular format of the clock dial, using drilled holes and the appropriate spacing between each LED. In a similar manner, it is possible to place LEDs on another dial of the clock. Figure 2 depicts the circuit for the TV lamp. Watching television in a dimly lit room causes pressure on your eyes. As a result, a lighting of 10-15W is advised. The Ken Schultz circuit is what people commonly refer to as this particular circuit. It is perfectly balanced against surges and voltage spikes and uses a total of 24 white LEDs (LED13 to LED36). Almost no heat is generated by the bulb. Install the white LEDs (LED13 through LED36) in a triangular arrangement before putting the circuit together on a PCB that can be used for a variety of purposes. Next, place it within the TV lamp fitting that was suggested.

Ready to continue?
PROJECT ACHIEVED

You built Night Lamps.

You followed the full workflow from understanding the mission to testing the finished project. That is a real engineering achievement - well done.

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