An interesting animated LED star that I stumbled across on eBay. The circuitry is interesting because the main control chip is obviously a dedicated LED flasher with the capability to regulate its own supply voltage and switch higher voltage loads. Presumably open collector style outputs, but more likely to be FET based.
These are quite hard to find on eBay. There are quite a few different types including dull battery operated ones, traditional tungsten lamp ones and then the more interesting 31 LED versions, sometimes referred to as LED pentagram tree toppers. Here's a starter link to one listing, but I recommend you shop about to find them in the region of $8.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282761692403
If you do the hack to reduce the intensity then please remember that the circuitry in these is referenced directly to the mains voltage and could give a shock if touched.
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12 thoughts on “Mains voltage led tree-topper with schematic.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars rob28803 says:

    Gaudy goodies from china

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roy Tellason says:

    It'd be neat if there was some way to get to the code that's in that chip, so you could pick the patterns that you wanted…

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars keith king says:

    other class video… very nice Clive. VERY nice….

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ass says:

    I wish there was something like this but with only white LEDs and less flashy

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Frank says:

    How much did you pay roughly?
    I think it got expensive since last year. It's 22€ now.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robin Browne says:

    If they could make it slow "colour-changing", rather than fast "INSANE-BLINKING", then it could be pretty good. 🙂

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adrian Castravete says:

    chuckle “Tame your star.”

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars K M says:

    tree topper or tree toppler ?

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Twotone says:

    If they provided a dodgy adapter with it, would that make it a Death Star?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars smmc1965 says:

    @11.29 "yeah, that was holding a bit of a zing, that would have hurt" LOL

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars skmetal7 says:

    I've been hoping you'd take apart those lighted usb charge cables. you know, the ones with the electroluminescent wires that chase as your device charges.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MilesUmbrae says:

    If it had only done the burst-effect I would've actually actually considered getting one of these.

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