I really can’t say without looking into how the 4015 operates but going off the diagram above I’d say the 595 probably wouldn’t work. You need latch, clock and datapins for the 595 and while the 4015 seems to have a similar design the circuit as shown won’t properly drive a 595.
Well of all the circuits that have been built from this site, how many used the ORIGINAL plans and got it to work and how many had to tweak it a bit? I’m just curious because I don’t want to build this a second time only to not have it work a second time. Ha ha.
If you follow the plans and use the exact parts you should be fine. Your problem was using a non-identical shift register.
How about the method used here for the power cell? I wanted to build a kit in the same way but can’t even find good closeups.
Chris, there were other pictures from that same thread that show the board up close.
I’m still looking for that thread.. Would be nice if they were in the reference section 
Trust me, you don’t want to copy that setup. The powercell is all wire wrap craziness. mburkit replicated the perfboard part of it with a real FC2 effects board, wouldn’t be hard to power up if you really wanted to.
I have the FC2 board as well. I actually want to build that crazy powercell wire nest. Its just that neither one of the pictures are clear enough to follow every wire. And the fact they’re all yellow doesn’t help at all.. lol
Has anyone made (or knows how to) any schematics for that circuit? At least that way I could follow that when building it.
I only have the closeup of the front side with the ICs. I remember seeing the back side but I forgot to save it.
So I finally got around to making my own pack lights. I followed the diagram on the first page but changed it to use LEDs. Here’s an updated version of the schematic that also fixes the missing connection from the original:
And here’s my prototype:
I’ll be point-to-point soldering a one-off on perfboard as I have no interest in selling kits. I’ll post pics of the finished circuit when it’s done.
And here’s the finished circut:
Not as pretty as an etched PCB but it works and cost me under $30.
Video time, Jack!
I second that.
Also, a big thank you for your post Jack.
help PLEASE!!! ARGGHH
sorry folks, but I am going nuts with this!!!
I have followed the schematic and have built the circuit into a breadboard. I am still waiting for a potentiometer so I have replacesd this with a resistor. My first 3 LEDs light in sequence everytime, but the remainders only light intermittently. When they light they look great and at a good speed, but they dont everytime. I havre replaced every component apart fromt he 4015 chips and 555 chip, but it looks like the LEDs arent getting the power everytime. Can anyone offer any advice?!
Thanks in advance 
Magnus
ok re-wired and the lights are ok now. However, they are not resetting after the last LED lights. I have the following reset config:
4015 (B) pin 2 connected to pin 14
4015 (B) pin 14 connected to pin 6
4015 (B) pin 6 connected to pin 14 on 4015 (A)
4015 (A) pin 14 connected to pin 6 on 4015 (A)
should this not reset the circuit?
Thanks
lord I am such a divvy sometimes, I forgot to connect pin 9 to pin 1 on the second 4015. works great now! 
Glad you got it worked out. I know the schematic works and I tried to make it as clear as possible. Just triple check everything and don’t forget to use a fresh battery.
thanks man!! after much deliberation I have decided to solder onto veroboard for the final board. So having to re-learn what I did at school many years ago fast! 
Trying to decide where is best to mount the main board, torn between putting it all in the spacer or the whole thing fixed inside the power cell with a feed to the cyclotron lights.
Can anyone confirm if this circuit will work with the up coming sound board from AJ Quick and cole?
Since they aren’t connected together in anyway I don’t see why not. Unless someone builds a combined light/sound board any lights will work with any sound.
cheers, that was what I was thinking. Toying with learning PIC programming, but think its too much like hard work lol