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Model Railroad Thunder And Lightning Storm Using Triple Flash WS2812b LED Strips

How make a  Thunder And Lightning Storm Using Three WS2812b LED Strips that flash when triggered by thunder sounds on a Mini MP3 Player.

 

 

Features

  • When an Arduino Mini Pro receives a thunder sound input from a mini mp3 player that is above a defined threshold, it  randomly flashes ws2812b LED strips.
  • System is 5v based.
  • One, two or three strips flash simultaneously.
  • A connection is provided for a Bluetooth transmitter so sound can be played on a remote Bluetooth speaker.
  • Two connection will provide 5v outputs when the storm is raging.  These can be used to trigger other applications.
  • A connection is available for a speaker or 5v amplifier for monaural or stereo sound.
  • Sounds are located on a 32GB SD card, which sounds can be changed at any time.
  • Because a circuit board is used, soldered wire connections are not required.
  • Using this kit saves money because all parts are shipped in one package.

 

Video Demonstration of The Thunder And Lightning Storm

To better understand the effect of this thunder storm, watch the video presentation that you see by clicking here,

Materials Used To Make This Thunder And Lightning Storm

Because of the efficiency of making control circuits, we use a circuit board on which we only have to solder  a few parts. You do not have to do any wiring because the circuit board has all connections built into the board.

ws2812b thunder circuit boardThis is the circuit board that we use.

Note that it has screw terminals connects for connection to a Bluetooth module so you can have the thunder sounds play in a remote location.

And you may simply connect a 5 volt amplifier.

Finally there is a connection that will trigger external applications.

 

The circuit board and parts come as a kit that you can buy here. NNNNN

 

Assembly

All connections between parts are made via traces on the circuit board.

The circuit board shows exactly where the elements are placed on the board,

So it is a simple matter of inserting the parts, soldering them in place with a fine point soldering tip on which there is a minuscule drop of solder and finally trimming off any protruding wires or pins to a comfortable length.

The screw terminals come as 2 pin units.  They are designed to be joined by using the slots on each side. So, for example to make a 4 pin screw terminal, join two two pin terminals.

The Arduino board comes without pins. Cut pin headers to proper lengths and solder them in place.

The pins on the DFPlayer and Arduino board (now with pins you just soldered on) connect to the circuit board via Dupont pin sockets. Cut the pin sockets to length and insert the pins into the sockets.

The sockets will be soldered to the circuit board. With the pins or the DFPlayer and and Arduino board inserted, you can be sure that the pin sockets will be vertical when soldered to the board.

Now add all the elements to the board and solder in place.

The SD card is loaded with the recommended sounds for this project. If you wish to use different thunder sounds, this page shows how to load them on the card .  You can get other sounds here. Player Sounds

The Arduino mini pro is fully programmed.

 

Operation

This storm is controlled by a manual switch.  The connections are labeled  Switch . (To control it via another micro controller just connect the trigger from that controller to the switch .) That switch is usually located on a control panel which is likely to be some distance from the circuit board.

Attach the speaker to S+ and S-.  The  + and – match those on the speaker.  Speakers have an upper limit of 3 watts.

If you wish more volume, add a 5v amplifier.  How to do that is here.

TX and RX are connections for a Bluetooth module.  By using such a module you can play sound on a Bluetooth speaker that you place at a removed location.  How to do that is here.

Connect to a 5 volt power supply via the labeled terminals.

You connect a 12v power supply where indicated.

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