Lighthouse LEDs

Build a 555 timer LED beacon circuit. Short flash, long pause. Interactive calculator with schematic, breadboard layout, and BOM.

Build a breathing/fading LED circuit with a 555 timer and transistor. Interactive calculator, smooth animation preview, circuit diagrams.

Build an alternating LED flasher with a 555 timer. Interactive calculator, animated preview, circuit diagrams.

Learn to build a blinking LED circuit with a 555 timer IC. Interactive calculator, animated preview, circuit diagram, and step-by-step guide.

Free online LED resistor calculator. Find the correct resistor value for single, series, parallel, and mixed LED circuits. Enter a SKU to auto-fill LED specs.

Complete guide to choosing the right voltage pre-wired LED for your power source. Quick reference table: 12V for automotive and model railroad, 9V for guitar pedals, 6V for Arduino and USB.

Technical deep dive into the 555 timer astable circuit. Explains how Ra, Rb, and C set the blink rate through charge and discharge cycles, with formulas, circuit diagram, and component selection guide.

How filter capacitors smooth pulsed DC from a bridge rectifier into clean DC. Covers ripple voltage formula, capacitor sizing, and practical power supply design for LED and audio circuits.

Why every IC needs decoupling capacitors and how to choose and place them. Covers the two-capacitor strategy (100nF ceramic + 10uF electrolytic), placement rules, and common mistakes.

How to power LEDs from AC sources (landscape transformers, DCC track power) using a bridge rectifier and smoothing capacitor. Covers both pre-wired and component LEDs with circuit diagrams.