Hey everyone! I'm working on a project where I need to use a small LED filament in a super tight space—around 4mm thick. Right now, I have it set to stay on constantly using a coin cell battery, but I'm looking to add a random flickering effect. Given the size constraints, I'd like to avoid using a microcontroller if possible. Do you have any suggestions for achieving this flickering effect without one? I considered using something like an ATtiny, but it might be overkill for my needs.
3 Answers
You might want to consider using a flickering candle LED. They typically come in 5mm, but they can easily drive a transistor that will work for your filament instead of needing a full microcontroller setup.
Buying a flicker effect LED is probably the best route. There are retailers that cater to model makers, and you could find something that fits your needs without breaking the bank. This way, you skip all the complexity of wiring and coding.
Some options actually involve using smaller chips that are designed to produce flicker effects, like music chips for tiny speakers. These could potentially be smaller than a standard microcontroller, so it might be worth looking into those if you're still interested in a DIY approach.