RobSmithDev | Make REALISTIC Fake FireFly/Lightning Bugs for your Garden! @RobSmithDev | Uploaded July 2022 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, one of natures miracles, but not so common in the UK, especially in my garden. In this video I'll show you how to make realistic solar powered fireflies (lightning bugs) for the garden.
The secret to this project is to use individually addressable LEDs, on a copper wire string, combined with a solar cell, charge/boost converter and an Arduino.
Other charge controllers may make this easier as some will cut the power while charging, but we're going to put the Arduino into low power mode anyway.
I'm using the Arduino Pro Mini from Sparkfun, as its really easy to make it use less power (and I have it already), other smaller micros could also be a good alternative.
NEW: Schematic in ZIP below now has MOSFET circuit added
Support me with videos, DrawBridge and FloppyBridge:
Patreon: patreon.com/RobSmithDev
Discord: discord.gg/MKZ6HA6ZWE
Source Code & Schematics:
Includes two versions of the code, one is faster and will turn on at dusk rather than night.
robsmithdev.co.uk/youtube/fireflies.zip
Running Arduino's at low power: youtube.com/watch?v=Wrx2vkS-8mU
Thingiverse Designs for Button Boxes: thingiverse.com/thing:5438104
Tinkercad Designs for Button Boxes: tinkercad.com/things/5XsquPRTdvj?sharecode=0fCMf6gXcSvVQz6eT0oHUO2zCiZW-JLicRdAZqPcoVw
Parts:
TP4056 Based Charge/Boost Converter: amzn.to/3sYHXyx or amzn.to/3sWtLGt
18650 Battery Compartment: amzn.to/3GgvOdI
Arduino Pro Mini (16Mhz, 5V):
Amazon: amzn.to/3IE4ZBq or amzn.to/3Rymxmq
SparkFun: sparkfun.com/products/11113
Assorted Resistors: amzn.to/3MRX6th
Assorted Variable Resistors: amzn.to/3Pj5u66
M3 10mm Countersunk Screws: amzn.to/3MejVqM
M3 Metal Threadded Screw Inserts: amzn.to/3rgwhqB
Solar Panel 2W 6V: (or use a more powerful one like amzn.to/3PJ8VD6)
amzn.to/3RwS08L or amzn.to/3caD0NA (or amzn.to/3vbFP7V or amzn.to/3yEIzv9)
IRFZ44N Mosfet: amzn.to/3bgEUMF (probably overkill, but its what I had)
FTDI Breakout Board: amzn.to/3F3LHlC
WS2812B Copper String LED Lights (200): Search Ebay For:
WS2812B LED Pixel Copper String Light Individually Addressable 5V 20M
Listing I Purchased From: ebay.co.uk/itm/324330389894
Arduino Libraries Used:
FastLED: github.com/FastLED/FastLED (or install via the IDE)
Chapters:
Fireflies (00:00)
My Plan (00:25)
My Firefly Experience (01:19)
Schematics (Schematics with MOSFET Design Now Available) (01:42)
The Code (02:24)
Simulation (04:30)
Box It Up (04:49)
Installation (05:23)
Summary (05:34)
Music:
firefly-trax.mod (trax) - unknown author
Video for Blue-White Fireflies: youtube.com/watch?v=-wWonI_Gn6k
Video for Yellow Fireflies: youtube.com/watch?v=k72jGJTC_3o
Copyright © RobSmithDev 2021-2022
robsmithdev.co.uk
Where appropriate, all efforts were made to trace & obtain copyright holders permissions to reproduce their material in this video. If you have any questions regarding content please get in touch.
#lightningbug #firefly #ElectronicsCreators
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, one of natures miracles, but not so common in the UK, especially in my garden. In this video I'll show you how to make realistic solar powered fireflies (lightning bugs) for the garden.
The secret to this project is to use individually addressable LEDs, on a copper wire string, combined with a solar cell, charge/boost converter and an Arduino.
Other charge controllers may make this easier as some will cut the power while charging, but we're going to put the Arduino into low power mode anyway.
I'm using the Arduino Pro Mini from Sparkfun, as its really easy to make it use less power (and I have it already), other smaller micros could also be a good alternative.
NEW: Schematic in ZIP below now has MOSFET circuit added
Support me with videos, DrawBridge and FloppyBridge:
Patreon: patreon.com/RobSmithDev
Discord: discord.gg/MKZ6HA6ZWE
Source Code & Schematics:
Includes two versions of the code, one is faster and will turn on at dusk rather than night.
robsmithdev.co.uk/youtube/fireflies.zip
Running Arduino's at low power: youtube.com/watch?v=Wrx2vkS-8mU
Thingiverse Designs for Button Boxes: thingiverse.com/thing:5438104
Tinkercad Designs for Button Boxes: tinkercad.com/things/5XsquPRTdvj?sharecode=0fCMf6gXcSvVQz6eT0oHUO2zCiZW-JLicRdAZqPcoVw
Parts:
TP4056 Based Charge/Boost Converter: amzn.to/3sYHXyx or amzn.to/3sWtLGt
18650 Battery Compartment: amzn.to/3GgvOdI
Arduino Pro Mini (16Mhz, 5V):
Amazon: amzn.to/3IE4ZBq or amzn.to/3Rymxmq
SparkFun: sparkfun.com/products/11113
Assorted Resistors: amzn.to/3MRX6th
Assorted Variable Resistors: amzn.to/3Pj5u66
M3 10mm Countersunk Screws: amzn.to/3MejVqM
M3 Metal Threadded Screw Inserts: amzn.to/3rgwhqB
Solar Panel 2W 6V: (or use a more powerful one like amzn.to/3PJ8VD6)
amzn.to/3RwS08L or amzn.to/3caD0NA (or amzn.to/3vbFP7V or amzn.to/3yEIzv9)
IRFZ44N Mosfet: amzn.to/3bgEUMF (probably overkill, but its what I had)
FTDI Breakout Board: amzn.to/3F3LHlC
WS2812B Copper String LED Lights (200): Search Ebay For:
WS2812B LED Pixel Copper String Light Individually Addressable 5V 20M
Listing I Purchased From: ebay.co.uk/itm/324330389894
Arduino Libraries Used:
FastLED: github.com/FastLED/FastLED (or install via the IDE)
Chapters:
Fireflies (00:00)
My Plan (00:25)
My Firefly Experience (01:19)
Schematics (Schematics with MOSFET Design Now Available) (01:42)
The Code (02:24)
Simulation (04:30)
Box It Up (04:49)
Installation (05:23)
Summary (05:34)
Music:
firefly-trax.mod (trax) - unknown author
Video for Blue-White Fireflies: youtube.com/watch?v=-wWonI_Gn6k
Video for Yellow Fireflies: youtube.com/watch?v=k72jGJTC_3o
Copyright © RobSmithDev 2021-2022
robsmithdev.co.uk
Where appropriate, all efforts were made to trace & obtain copyright holders permissions to reproduce their material in this video. If you have any questions regarding content please get in touch.
#lightningbug #firefly #ElectronicsCreators
