Summary of LED Menorah using ATtiny13 microcontroller
The author designed a minimalist LED Hanukkah Menorah using an AVR ATtiny13 microcontroller. Unlike previous battery-powered designs with dip switches, this project features one-button operation and automatically enters sleep mode after an hour to simulate the candles burning out. Powered by an unregulated 3V source, it achieves all stated goals for efficiency and simplicity while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Parts used in the LED Hanukkah Menorah:
- Power supply that puts out between 2.7v and 3.3v
- 9 LEDs (white)
- 4 resistors (22ohm)
- 1 momentary push button
- 1 pin header (2 pins)
- 1 DIP socket (8 pins)
- 1 AVR ATtiny13 microcontroller
- 1 Circuit board of some type
Last week on hack-a-day I saw their post on an LED Menorah that was powered by a 9v battery with the lights controlled by dip switches. I thought to myself, “gee, that’s not a very creative design”. There was redemption in the minimalist designs linked too showing a menorah soldered to a tiny2313 and one soldered to an LM2913, both without a circuit board.
These free formed designs were creative but a little too down and dirty for me. I thought I could do better, and immediately thought of the handful of tiny13 8-pin microprocessors I had sitting around. I wanted to make a menorah with the following features in mind:
- Controlled by an AVR ATtiny13
- Powered by ~3v (unregulated to save on parts)
- One button operation
- Sleep mode when the menorah “burns out” after an hour or so
I’m happy to say I did accomplish all of my goals. More after the break.
For more pictures check out my Instructable of this project:
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED_Hanukkah_Menorah/
Parts List
- Power supply that puts out between 2.7v and 3.3v.
- 9 LEDs (I used white)
- 4 resistors (22ohm)
- 1 momentary push button
- 1 pin header (2 pins)
- 1 DIP socket (8 pins)
- 1 AVR ATtiny13 microcontroller
- 1 Circuit board of some type
- How is the menorah powered?
The device is powered by a supply outputting between 2.7v and 3.3v. - What controls the lights in this design?
An AVR ATtiny13 microcontroller controls the lights. - Does the project use a circuit board?
Yes, the build requires a circuit board of some type. - How many LEDs are used in the menorah?
The project uses 9 white LEDs. - What happens when the menorah burns out?
The device enters sleep mode after approximately one hour. - How do you operate the menorah?
It features a single button operation method. - Why was the power supply unregulated?
The unregulated supply was chosen to save on parts. - What components are needed for the resistor setup?
You need 4 resistors rated at 22ohm.
