LEDs With Brightness Control (Circuit Scribe)

Materials Needed:

Circuit Scribe bi-directional LEDs (2)

Circuit Scribe potentiometer

Circuit Scribe power module + 9V battery

Steel sheet

Paper

Conductive ink

Circuit Scribe footprint template

Step 1: Arrange Elements

Determine how each element will connect to others. It may be helpful to sketch a layout on scratch paper.

In this case, we know that the positive side of the power module will connect to the point of the potentiometer marked "wiper," and the other two potentiometer points will connect to the LEDs. The LEDs, in turn, will connect to the negative side of the power module.

Step 2: Draw Connections

The plastic template provided in the Circuit Scribe kit makes drawing the layout in conductive ink much easier!

First, mark the 'footprint' of each piece, filling in each circle with conductive ink. Then, draw the connections between modules. Be sure your connections are solid - a spot with insufficient ink will not conduct electricity.

Step 3: Place Elements, Test Design

Place your paper atop the steel sheet provided, and place the modules precisely atop their footprints. Turn on your 'power' element and confirm that your circuit is working as you planned. If it isn't, now is the time to troubleshoot. Is there a short circuit somewhere in your design? Electricity will always take the path of least resistance. Are all of your modules oriented correctly? Are your connections solid?

In this circuit, the potentiometer controls the brightness of the attached LEDs. It may be difficult to tell from the pictures, but the lights are equally bright when the potentiometer is in a neutral position, and they brighten when the knob is turned toward their connection.