Fireflies / Lightning Bugs in My Garden (yeah They're Fake! - and How to Make Them)

by RobSmithDev in Outside > Backyard

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Fireflies / Lightning Bugs in My Garden (yeah They're Fake! - and How to Make Them)

Fireflies / Lightning Bugs in my Garden (yeah they're fake! - and how to make them)

Fireflies, or lightning bugs, one of natures miracles, but not so common in the UK, especially in my garden. In this instructable I'll show you how to make realistic solar powered fireflies (lightning bugs) for your garden!

Supplies

Prepare the Copper LED String Lights

First step is to cut off the WS2812B LED string lights from the controller they come with, we don't need that

Follow the Schematic

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Assemble the components as shown in the schematic. I chose to solder them directly to the Arduino board.

Program the Arduino

Now that you have assembled the circuit you need to program the Arduino. There's two versions for different speeds of fire flies, and also for different levels of darkness before they turn on.You can download the source code HERE.

Print and Build a Case

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3D Print the enclosure for the parts. I recommend using PET-G as this is outdoor.

Designs for the box are available on TinkerCAD and Thingiverse

Assemble the Case

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Assemble everything in the case. I used a glue gun to stick everything down. The Variable resistor should fit through the little hole, but be sure to cover it up so water doesn't get in.

Print the Post

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The solar panel needs to stand up, so print a stand to keep it up-right.

The post design is included in the same TinkerCAD and Thingiverse links as before

Put It in Your Garden and Enjoy

Fireflies / Lightning Bugs in my Garden (yeah they're fake! - and how to make them)

Now put it in the trees, and watch the magic...