Thumb-size Circuit for 3D lighting

This dimmer circuit used 555 IC based PWM generator to drive a high power MOSFET. The most interesting fact about this circuit is that it has been made with a method that serves as an alternative to point to point soldering.

It uses the following components:

{C} 1.10k potentiometer with switch,

{C} 2. 2 2-pin screw terminals (input and output),

{C} 3.NE555 8-pin chip,

{C} 4.MOSFET,

{C} 5. 2 1N4148 diodes,

{C} 6. 2 capacitors: .1uF and 1uF,

{C} 7. 330 ohm resistor

The project is based on Eagle Board and one has to stick to a few steps while designing the circuit. Put the major components where you want them first.

{C} 1.Pack the rest of the components in paying attention to keeping traces short.

{C} 2.Small 2-lead components can fit later, with one lead overlapping its signal, the other reached by a branch made from its lead.

{C} 3.Lay out a few long traces that hit the most pins and cover the most ground first. Try to get those traces in a straight line or aligned in an L- or S- or U- arrangement, more or less.

{C} 4. Avoid branching, unless the branch can be a component’s lead.

{C} 5. Small kinks and zig-zags are OK and may be built with straighter wire segments later, with pins bent to get where they need to be.

{C} 6. Don’t think much about top/bottom layering and about crossing lines. There will be room to cross a wire here or there. Try not to cross, but you can worry about top and bottom later.

555 Dimmer circuit

Small but mighty!!

After watching the video, one might get surprised to see the actual size of this circuit. As small as a thumb, this circuit can be easily mounted on gadgets. Jeff, the electronic maestro behind this circuit, credits point to point soldering process and less wiring for such a simple circuit design.