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Project 1.3.3: TRI-LIGHT

Description Tri-light is a creative Arduino project that employs a single push button to manage the illumination of three LEDs. Pressing the button cycles through the LEDs, turning each on sequentially, and releasing the button turns off all LEDs. Explore the concept of state management and LED control in this engaging endeavor.
Use case Tri-light can be utilized as an attention-grabbing party decoration. Set up the three LEDs in vibrant colours. When the party starts, guests can press the button to illuminate each LED in a dynamic sequence. Releasing the button turns off all LEDs. This project offers an entertaining way to add a touch of interactivity to gatherings and events, captivating participants with colourful light displays.

Components (Tools You Will Need)

LED Arduino Uno Arduino USB Cable Breadboard Push Button Resistor

Building The Circuit

Tools Needed:

  • Arduino Uno = 1
  • Arduino USB cable = 1
  • Resistor = 1
  • Push button = 1
  • Red LED = 1
  • Red jumper wires = 1
  • Black jumper wires = 1
  • Yellow jumper wires = 1
  • Blue jumper wires = 1

Mounting the component on the breadboard

Push Button = 1

Step 1: Connect the pushbutton on the breadboard but make sure the two pairs of the pins are connected on each side of the bridge.

PushButton Tri-light1. LED = 3

Step 2: Insert three (3) LEDs on the breadboard as shown in the picture below.

PushButton Tri-light2.

WIRING THE CIRCUIT

Things Needed:

  • Red male-male-to-male jumper wires = 1
  • Black male-to-male jumper wires = 1
  • Yellow male-to-male jumper wires = 1
  • Blue male-to-male jumper wires = 1
  • White male-to-male jumper wires = 1
  • Green male-to-male jumper wires = 1

Step 1: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from one Pin of the Push Button as a negative to power GND (Ground) on the Arduino UNO.

PushButton Tri-light3

Step 2: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from the other Pin of the push button (not connected to GND) to a digital pin 13 on the Arduino UNO.

PushButton Tri-light4

Step 3: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from the Arduino GND to one of the negative holes on the breadboard.

PushButton Tri-light5

Step 4: Connect three male-to-male jumper wires from each of the LEDs negative pins to the negative holes on the breadboard.

PushButton Tri-Light6

Step 5: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from the longer pin of the first LED as a positive to digital pin 12 on the Arduino UNO.

PushButton Tri-light7

Step 6: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from the longer pin of the second LED as a positive to digital pin 9 on the Arduino UNO.

PushButton Tri-light8

Step 7: Connect male-to-male jumper wire from the longer pin of the third LED as a positive to digital pin 4 on the Arduino UNO.

PushButton Tri-light9

Make sure to connect the Arduino USB blue cable to the Arduino board.

PROGRAMMING

Step 1: Open your Arduino IDE. See how to set up here: Getting Started.

Step 2: Type const int ledPin1 = 12; as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light1.

Step 3: Type const int ledPin2 = 9; as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light1.

Step 4: Type const int ledPin3 = 4; as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light3.

Step 5: Type const int buttonPin = 13; as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light4.

Step 6: Type int buttonState = 0; as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light5.

Step 7: Inside the (void setup()), Type 

pinMode (ledPin1, OUTPUT);
pinMode (ledPin2, OUTPUT);
pinMode (ledPin3, OUTPUT);
pinMode (buttonPin INPUT_PULLUP) ;
as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light6.

NB: pinMode will help the Arduino board to decide which port should be activated.

Step 8: Type buttonState = digitalRead (buttonPin); as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light7.

Step 9: Type if (buttonState == LOW) { digitalWrite (ledPin1, HIGH) ; digitalWrite (ledPin2, HIGH); digitalWrite (ledPin3, HIGH); digitalWrite (ledPin3, HIGH); } as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light8.

Step 10: Type else { digitalWrite (ledPin1, LOW) ; digitalWrite (ledPin2, LOW); digitalWrite (ledPin3, LOW); digitalWrite (ledPin3, HIGH); } as shown in the picture below.

Tri-light9.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, the one LED blink project demonstrates a foundational concept in electronics and programming. Through this simple yet illuminating endeavor, learners grasp the essentials of hardware interfacing, coding logic, and timing control. This project lays the groundwork for more advanced explorations while showcasing the transformative power of just a single LED, sparking curiosity and creativity in the world of DIY electronics.