Thanks Audioguru and Hero999. I've built the circuit already, using the diagram at this link, modified to reset from pin 7:
**broken link removed**
I will add the 100nF cap across the power. The problem I'm having is with the push button switch-the LEDs are lighting up fine, I calculated current limiting resistors for 10mA with a supply voltage of 6V.
Question here-the supply is 6V-but what is it at the 4017 outputs? I've seen a number of comments about not needing cl-resistors with this chip.
Bottom line is that they do light up, and are not too bright, which is fine for my purposes [kids' toy].
The big problem is with the switching. I'm using a simple spring-loaded push button switch, push to close the circuit and trip the counter to the next output.
Unfortunately, when I push the buttom, there isn't a smooth transition to the next LED. They all flicker a bit and it's completely random as to which LED lights up next. I'm guessing the switch is triggering the 4017 half a dozen times per depression (is this 'bouncing'?).
So, is there a way to interrupt that signal after only the first contact, perhaps by having a half-second timer to stop the chaos?
Or perhaps there's some other fatal flaw with the circuit as a whole? I'm pretty much a novice here.
The IC I'm using has HEF4017BP printed on it
the resistors are 330ohm 1/4w
LEDs are standard 5mm type shop guy said 3.5V but I've calculated for 3.0V @ 10mA to be on the safe side
Thanks again,
Jim