This will teach you how to make a very simple 1×10 array of LEDs on a breadboard controlled by an Arduino Uno to make the LEDs blink and flash in 10 different patterns.
Link to notebook for project: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YP4p11SbDNOnM7mDn-sRjJLnxGPj6o0DkrFZnznVMvk/edit
Link to YouTube video of LEDs in action: http://youtu.be/waaNSYbWn2Y
Step 1: Insert LEDs into Breadboard
Insert 10 single-color LEDs in a row onto the breadboard with all the longer, positive leads facing the same way (for ease). Note that in the picture, the wires are already inserted.
Step 2: Connect LEDs to Arduino Uno
Run a single wire between the positive leads of each LED to the Arduino. Use digital ports 2 through 11 (on the side with the USB port). Wire the LEDs in order 2 through 11, so 2 is the first LED and 11 is the last, which is the the 10th LED.
Step 3: Ground LEDs
Each LED must be grounded to the Arduino. Run wires from the shorted, ground lead of each LED to a ground port on the Arduino. I had to jump from many different rows on the breadboard to get all 10 to go to the same ground port. The picture of my setup may help, but my own setup is not clean.
Step 4: Insert Wires for “Battery Checker”
Insert one wire into analog port A0 and another into port A1. These ports are on the opposite side from the digital ports on the Arduino. When the code is uploaded to the Arduino, when a battery or other readable potential differential is applied across these wires, the LEDs with flash.
For more detail: Making 1×10 LED Array with Random Patterns
