Manual
-10-
SUGGESTIONS TO HELP
Keep a Notebook
As you’re about to find out, you are going to learn
many things about electronics by using this kit. As
you learn, many of the things you discover in the
easy projects will be built upon in later projects. We
suggest using a notebook to help you organize the
data you will be collecting.
This notebook does not have to be like the one you
use in school. Think of it more as a fun notebook,
that way you can look back on the all the projects
you have done once you finish.
Wiring Sequence Marking
When you are wiring a project, especially those with
lots of connections, you will find it helpful to mark off
each terminal number as you connect the wires to it.
Use a pencil and make light marks so that you can
go back multiple times and re-read the sequence.
Collecting Components
You should start to make your own collection of
electronic parts and therefore have your own scrap
box of electronic parts. You can build your own
circuits in or on top of a framework, box or container.
You could use your circuit as a Science Fair project
at school and even make a major research project
from it.
TROUBLESHOOTING
You should have no problem with the projects
w
orking properly if you follow the wiring instructions.
However, if you do encounter a problem you can try
a
nd fix it by using the following troubleshooting
steps. These steps are comparable to those steps
that electronic technicians use to troubleshoot
complex electronic equipment.
1. Are the batteries being used new? If they are not,
this may be your problem because the batteries
could be too weak to power the project.
2. Is the project assembled properly? Check all the
wiring connections to make sure that you have all
the terminals wired correctly. Sometimes having
someone else look at it helps to find the problem.
3. Are you following the schematic diagram and the
e
xplanation of the circuit? As your understanding
and knowledge expands of electronics, you will be
a
ble to troubleshoot by following only a schematic,
and once you add the description of the circuit you
will be able to figure out your own problems.
4. If you have VOM, try taking some measurements
of the voltage and current. You might be surprised
just how handy a VOM really is.
5. Try building project 24 (Digital Display Circuit for
the Seven-Segment LED). This is a very simple
circuit that lights part of the LED display using only
2 wires.
Contact Elenco
®
if you still need help.
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