Astonishing effect

4.5V supply

 

Parts:

R1,R2___________4K7  1/4W Resistors
R3_____________22K   1/4W Resistor
R4______________2M2  1/4W Resistor (See Notes)
R5_____________10K   1/4W Resistor
R6_____________47R   1/4W Resistor (See Notes)

C1______________1µF   63V Polyester Capacitor

D1_____________5mm. Red LED (See Notes)

IC1__________LM358  Low Power Dual Op-amp

Q1___________BC337  45V 800mA NPN Transistor

Circuit operation:

This circuit operates a LED in pulsing mode, i.e. the LED goes from off state, lights up gradually, then dims gradually, etc.
This operation mode is obtained by a triangular wave generator formed by two op-amps contained in a very cheap 8 pin DIL case IC. Q1 ensures current buffering, in order to obtain a better load drive.
R4 & C1 are the timing components: using the values shown in the parts list, the total period is about 4 seconds.

Notes:

• The most satisfying results are obtained adopting for R4 a value ranging from 220K to 4M7.

• Adopting for R4 a value below 220K, the pulsing effect will be indistinguishable from a normal blinking effect.

• The LED can be any type and color.

• You can use a filament lamp instead, provided its features are comprised in the range 3.2 to 6V, 200mA max.

• Using a lamp as a load, R6 must be omitted.

• Voltage supply range can be 4 to 6V: 4.5V is the best compromise.

• Don't supply the circuit with voltages exceeding 6V: it will work less good and Q1 could be damaged when a lamp was used as the load.

• At 6V supply, increase R6 value to 100 Ohm.