A couple days ago I am doing a post explaining how to build The Internet. I am doing this for some students I am mentoring, but maybe others may find it useful as well. This post will briefly go into the design I chose for the blinking light and show how to breadboard the circuit. As a bonus I will show how to add additional lights to the circuit or change the length of the blink.
If you are new to my writing, I tend to make long posts. You have been warned.
Why use a Schmitt Trigger Inverter?
This circuit could have easily been done with a flashing led, a resistor and a 9V battery. However, sometimes it’s just fun to use extra components, plus it’s a good learning experience. So, I chose to use a logic integrated circuit (IC) chip. In particular I chose a Schmitt Trigger inverter chip CD40106BE. Basically, this chip will output the opposite of what is input. So, if a high signal is received, it will output a low signal. Schmitt trigger inverters are useful because they have different thresholds for going up to high and for going down to low. That makes it perfect for this type of circuit. Actually, this was my first time using a Schmitt trigger for a blink circuit, in the past I’ve used them for cleaning up signals.
Here is a look at the breadboarding I did prior to building my original The Internet prototype.
Components Needed
To go with the Schmitt Trigger inverter we only need a few components. Below I have included links to the components required on Amazon. However these are basic components and may have most if not all of these components with a starter electronics kit. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchase.
Breadboarding Components:
This first set of components is for the breadboarding of the circuit:
- CD40106BE CD40106 CMOS Hex Schmitt-Trigger Inverters IC DIP-14 (Pack of 10pcs) – This chip is also often included in kits with basic logic IC’s.
- 100μF polarized capacitor. This is a very common capacitor and may already be included in most electronics basics kits. The kit I often recommend is this 1910Pcs Electronic Component Kit. This kit is a great starting point for hobbyists.
- 10 kΩ and 2 kΩ resitors. Both resistors will exist in any basic assortment of resistors, and would also be included in the 1910Pcs Electronic Component Kit I mentioned previously.
- Red LED – any 3mm or 5mm low power LED would work. Any basic kit of LED’s would include one. Or the 1910Pcs Electronic Component Kit I mentioned previously.
- Breadboards. I happen to like this Elegoo set of six for basic breadboarding. But then I also happen to like using my Makeronics 3220-Point Solderless Breadboard. Any breadboard will work though; this is a very simple circuit.
- I would also recommend some sort of power supply and some jumpers. If anyone needs some recommended I can do so, but there are a ton of these on Amazon, Temu, Ali, etc…
Final Project Components
If you wish to build The Internet with the exact hardware I did then these components are required.
This list looks like a lot. But much of it is basic things many hobbyists will already have on hand. Also you may find better alternatives than I used for this project.
- CD40106BE CD40106 CMOS Hex Schmitt-Trigger Inverters IC DIP-14 (Pack of 10pcs) – This is the same exact one I listed above in the breadboarding section.
- 100μF polarized capacitor. The kit I often recommend is this 1910Pcs Electronic Component Kit. This is the same exact one I listed above in the breadboarding section.
- 10 kΩ and 2 kΩ resitors. Both resistors will exist in any basic assortment of resistors, and would also be included in the 1910Pcs Electronic Component Kit I mentioned previously. This is the same exact one I listed above in the breadboarding section.
- You will need a DIP socket to put the chip into. I use this kit: Eowpower 150 Pieces 2.54 mm Pitch DIP IC Sockets Adaptor Assortment Kit. You may also get some sockets when buying the IC if you buy it in a kit.
- Solderable Breadboard. For this I love these little Solderable Breadboard Mini PCB Board Gold-Plated Solder Breadboard. They come in multipacks and are perfect projects like this!
- 22 AWG solid core wire. Any small wire works, but that is what I use in this project.
- M3 x 6mm heat insert. I use this kit to keep a variety on hand.
- Red LED with bezel. I have been using these for projects lately, it is also available in multicolor packs.
- Any DC on/off switch would work. The one I used in this project is this one. It has been dependable for other projects, and I had it on hand, so used it for this.
- Any 9 V DC connector should work. I use this one.
Circuit Diagram
Here is the circuit diagram.
There are two parts of the diagram I would like to call out. First, I used a 2k ohm resistor. That may be a higher value than many people want. The circuit draws very little power at that resistance level. I wanted that in order to use my 9V battery longer. The trade-off though is the LED is not super bright. I like it not being super-bright, but going with a lower resistance may be better for you. A 470 ohm resistor would be recommended for a brighter light. I will have a separate post explaining how to choose the resistor and capacitor values.
The other part of this circuit diagram I want to point out is the switch. I didn’t include it in this diagram for some reason. It goes into the circuit hooked up to the positive side of the 9V battery.
The 3D printed case
I created the case in Fusion 360 and posted to Thangs. If someone wants the cad files let me know and I can see about getting it uploaded. I’m not sure how to do that yet, but I’m sure I can figure it out.
I printed the case in PLA so it would both look nice and keep its dimensions fairly close when printing.
Assembling The Internet
I recorded a long video going through the full process of building The Internet. But due to audio issues and a SD card problem most of what I did is gone, and I’m not redoing that… So I instead I offer this TikTok showing the high level steps I went through. If you have any questions don’t be afraid to reach out to me.
https://www.tiktok.com/@stelanthin2/video/7573099297390988599
Thanks for coming!
Thanks for checking out my take on The Internet. I’m a huge IT Crowd fan and have wanted to do this for years.
Lord Stelanthin 3D 
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