Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: yotsuya on May 08, 2011, 05:56:39 pm

Title: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: yotsuya on May 08, 2011, 05:56:39 pm
I recently acquired an LED-Wiz and would like to start testing out some light patterns for a future project. I've seen some test projects on YouTube that have the LED-Wiz hooked up to a breadboard with LEDs plugged into it. I would like to set up something similar to start playing with the device, but I have never used one before. Has anyone here done this before? If so, how should I wire the LED-Wiz and the breadboard? I figure I could hook up the +5 out to the red+ of the board, but what about the numbered outputs? Any help or simply being pointed into the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: scream1973 on May 09, 2011, 12:53:33 pm
I am assuming you want to just plug Leds into the breadboard for testing

You would hook the +5v into the red rail on the breadboard and then run a jumper from there to the 5v USB connector on the LEDwiz

You would then wire your numbered outputs to various spots in the middle of the board  then jumper to an LED which would then connect the other leg to the red rail.

Then the GND would that would then connect to the ground rail (black on most breadboards)
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: yotsuya on May 09, 2011, 02:47:01 pm
I am assuming you want to just plug Leds into the breadboard for testing

You would hook the +5v into the red rail on the breadboard and then run a jumper from there to the 5v USB connector on the LEDwiz

You would then wire your numbered outputs to various spots in the middle of the board  then jumper to an LED which would then connect the other leg to the red rail.

Then the GND would that would then connect to the ground rail (black on most breadboards)

Thanks. I'm new to this kind of wiring, but I'm excited by the potential. This is what I thought the connection should look like:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9877413/LEDBreadboard.jpg)

However, I'm not completely sure how they work. Is mine too simple? I assume the middle holes are powered by the +5v connection on the bottom of my picture. Am I wrong?
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: yotsuya on May 09, 2011, 02:56:10 pm
OK, followup. I found this:

(http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Elec_primer-breadboard4.jpg)

which looks like what I am trying to do. So, I think what I need to do to make it work with the LED-Wiz is to have #7 go to the LED-Wiz rather than the ground on the breadboard, correct?
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: scream1973 on May 09, 2011, 03:38:08 pm
Correct..
#8 would go to the GND on the Led Wiz
#7 would go to the numbered output
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: yotsuya on May 09, 2011, 03:55:20 pm
Thanks, scream! Just one more question- you state to connect the ground from the board to the ground on the LED-Wiz. But when I look at the diagram from the handout that comes with the device (I have the older version, btw):

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9877413/ggground.jpg)

It doesn't have anything going to the ground. I would be powering this via the USB power from the LED-Wiz, not an external source. Do I only need to hook up the ground if I am using an external source? Thanks!
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: scream1973 on May 09, 2011, 04:08:29 pm
Sorry you are correct. Since you are not using external power you would not require the ground connection.
I am using the 5 volt from externally so the ground was required..
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: yotsuya on May 09, 2011, 04:23:24 pm
You have been a great help, man! I appreciate your assistance! I'm going to go get the breadboard after work so I can get started.  :cheers:
Title: Re: LED-Wiz and Breadboard Question
Post by: scream1973 on May 09, 2011, 09:08:53 pm
Glad to be of help... Just remember if you are using raw leds to put resistors in line as well so you don't release the magic smoke..