
Using a Shift Register — SIK Circuit 14
Amabwiriza
Parts & Introduction
Parts & Introduction
What if you need more outputs than the Arduino has pins? A shift register (74HC595) converts serial data into 8 parallel outputs — you send data on 3 pins and control 8 LEDs. You can chain multiple shift registers for even more outputs! This introduces SPI-style communication and bit manipulation.
Parts Needed
- 1x Arduino Uno + USB cable
- 1x Breadboard
- 1x 74HC595 Shift Register IC
- 8x LEDs (any color)
- 8x 330Ω Resistors
- 19x Jumper Wires
Materials for this step:
SparkFun Inventors Kit - V3.21 kit
330 Ohm Resistor8 pieces
Jumper Wires10 piecesTools needed:
Hardware Hookup
Hardware Hookup
Wiring Instructions
Place the 74HC595 chip so it bridges the center canyon. The notch indicates pin 1.
74HC595 Pin Connections
| Pin | Name | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (QB) | Output B | LED 2 positive |
| 2 (QC) | Output C | LED 3 positive |
| 3 (QD) | Output D | LED 4 positive |
| 4 (QE) | Output E | LED 5 positive |
| 5 (QF) | Output F | LED 6 positive |
| 6 (QG) | Output G | LED 7 positive |
| 7 (QH) | Output H | LED 8 positive |
| 8 (GND) | Ground | GND |
| 10 (SRCLR*) | Clear | 5V (active low, keep high) |
| 11 (SRCLK) | Clock | Arduino Pin 3 |
| 12 (RCLK) | Latch | Arduino Pin 4 |
| 13 (OE*) | Output Enable | GND (active low) |
| 14 (SER) | Data | Arduino Pin 2 |
| 15 (QA) | Output A | LED 1 positive |
| 16 (VCC) | Power | 5V |
Connect each LED's negative leg through a 330Ω resistor to GND.
Materials for this step:
330 Ohm Resistor8 pieces
Jumper Wires10 piecesArduino Code
Arduino Code
Open the Arduino IDE and upload the following sketch to your Arduino board.
Materials for this step:
Tools needed:
Test & Experiment
Test & Experiment
What You Should See
The same LED patterns as Circuit 4 (chase, ping-pong, etc.) but using only 3 Arduino pins instead of 8! The shift register does the heavy lifting.
Troubleshooting
- Arduino power LED goes out: The chip is inserted backwards. Fix it quickly — no permanent damage if caught fast.
- Not working: With 19 wires, a crossed connection is likely. Double-check systematically.
Experiments to Try
- Uncomment
binaryCount()to see binary counting from 0-255 displayed on the LEDs. - Chain two 74HC595s together for 16 outputs from just 3 pins.
- Combine with a potentiometer to control the animation speed.
Ibikoresho
7- $105.00
- $3.00
- $5.00
CC0 Umurenge rusange
Iyi blueprint yasohowe munsi ya CC0. Ushobora gukoporora, guhindura, gukwirakwiza no gukoresha nta kwemererwa.
Shyigikira Umuremyi ugura ibicuruzwa binyuze muri Blueprint ye Komisiyo y'Umuremyi byashyizweho n'Abacuruzi, cyangwa kora verisiyo nshya y'iyi Blueprint ukayinjiza nk'isano muri Blueprint yawe kugira ngo musangire inyungu.