Safety Instructions Caution! Not suitable for children under 3 years. There is a risk of suffocation due to small parts being swallowed or inhaled. I m p r e ss u m Caution! Only suitable for children of 8 years or older. Instructions for parents and other guardians are enclosed and must be followed. Packaging and instructions must be kept as they contain important information. © 2018 MakerFactorydistributed by Conrad Electronic SE Klaus-Conrad-Str. 1 | 92240 Hirschau www.makerfactory.
Modules What makes the projects in this box so special? You do! And an incredible micro-controller. Each module contains an electronic component, which works together with a small but powerful computer in your micro-controller module. The modules contain the electronic components of your experiment box. Each module has one or more connectors, and each connector has three contacts to insert the cables.
XX Micro-controller Cables Your experiment box contains connection cables with four different lengths. You can decide for yourself, which length is best when and where. bles rey ca 10 short white cables g g n dium-lo 10 me XX Two pushbuttons 1 gre s lack cable 10 long b en ex tensio n cab le 1 red extension ca ble XX Light sensor 50 construction suggestions - infinite possibilities! XX Tilt switch The manual shows 50 experiments; many of them can be expanded upon easily.
Content 1 The circuit with the red light 6 26 Disco light show 29 2 Two or more LEDs 7 27 Drag race 30 3 What is a conductor and what isn’t? 8 28 Catch the blue! 31 4 LED the other way around 9 5 LED with three colours 10 6 A switch 11 7 Two switches in series 11 8 Two switches in parallel 12 9 Lighter and darker 13 29 The conductor 32 Notes on construction, please read carefully! Connecting the modules 1. Press the modules into the holes of the plates.
1 The circuit with the red light The first project uses a single LED from the LED strip together with the battery. The connection LED7 is the joint negative pole of the LEDs and must be connected to the negative pole of the battery (Bat–) using a cable. Another cable connects the positive pole of the battery (Bat+) with the connector LED1. If you made the correct connections, the first LED will light up. Circuit Your first experiment shows a simple circuit.
Two or more LEDs 2 You have probably thought about it yourself: it is possible to also switch on the other LEDs. To do this, the cable to the positive pole only needs to be connected to another LED (LED2 … LED6). They can also light up at the same time, if you use several cables. In fact, three cables can be connected to the Bat+ connector. Or you keep connecting the positive pole to each of the following LEDS.
3 What is a conductor and what isn t? You probably already know that all metals conduct electricity while glass, plastic and many other materials don’t. Build your own tester using two test cables. When you touch a conducting object with them, the LED will switch on. You could also test a pencil lead, pure water and lemon juice. You will probably also find materials that are weak conductors. And even your fingers can conduct some electricity, especially when you have moistened them with water.
LED the other way around Put together the first experiment; the LED light up. Then, swap the connections so that the positive pole of the battery is connected to the connector for LED7. Nothing lights up this time! This is because an LED can only light up if it is connected the right way around. There is no current if it is connected the wrong way around. Warning! The LED may sometimes be plugged in the wrong way round, though it will not break. This is different with other components.
When all three LEDs are switched on, hold a sheet of white paper in front of the LED. You can see three coloured circles, which are offset. The LED enclosure acts as a lens, which creates the three colours on the paper. Inside the LED module, you can see three resistors for the three LEDs named R1, R2 and R3. When taking an even closer look with a magnifying glass, you can see that the three resistors are totally different.
6 A switch 7 Install the pushbutton switch in the circuit. The LED now only switches on when you press the button. At rest, the circuit is disrupted. When you press the button, the circuit is closed. A switch consists of moveable metal parts that either touch each other or have a gap between them. They are called contacts. In these pushbutton switches, a spring pushes the contacts away from each other.
8 An AND circuit can be used for security switches. A dangerous machine has two switches, which must both be pressed. This prevents the person operating the machine from having one hand still inside the hazardous area. Two switches in parallel If you install both switches in parallel, you will create an OR circuit. The LED switches on when you press switch A OR switch B OR both. Such a circuit can be used for lighting of a long corridor. There is a switch at both ends.
Lighter and darker Up to now there was only »On« or »Off«. You can now change the brightness. This is done with the variable resistor. When you turn it all the way to the right, the circuit is closed, just like with a switch. Turning it further to the left, a larger impedance is introduced. That means that the current becomes weaker and the LED light is less bright. The variable resistor is located between the connectors VR1 and VR2. VR stands for Variable Resistor.
10 The tilt switch The tilt switch contains a small metal ball that always rolls downwards. In the correct tilt position, it will reach the side with two contacts. If you shake the module, you can hear the clicking of the ball. As soon as both contacts are touched, the circuit is closed. Install the tilt switch with the contacts TS1 and TS2 between battery and LED. You can then tilt the entire experiment in all directions in order to see when the LED switches on.
A sound from the micro-controller 11 To start the first programme, you need to connect connector A with connector B. The loudspeaker also needs to be connected. It has two connectors, SP1 and SP2, which must be connected with the connectors MS13 and MS14 of the micro-controller. The abbreviation SP stands for SPeaker. As soon as you have connected the battery, you will hear a clear sound.
12 Siren Add the tricolour LED to the circuit with the loudspeaker. The micro-controller can toggle two colours. To do this, the connectors MO7 and MO8 must be connected to TC1 and TC2. Of course, you mustn’t forget the common negative pole TC4, which is connected to M–. The corresponding programme is selected by connecting A and C. And don’t forget: The positive pole must be connected at the very end. This programme does two things at the same time: It toggles the sound and it toggles the LED colours.
Fast sounds 13 You are now familiar with the function of the connectors MO7 and MO8, where the LEDs are connected. The abbreviation MO stands for Micro-controller Output. This is the visible part of electronic switches inside the micro-controller, which are controlled by a programme. To be precise, they are selector switches, which connect the connector to the negative pole or to the positive pole. On - off on - off, as the programme commands.
14 Rainbow colours Now also connect the third colour by connecting MO9 with TC3. Using the rotary knob, you can select different colours and mixed colours. All colours of the rainbow and the mixed colour white are available. But to do this, you need to start the correct micro-controller programme by connecting A with F. When you have done this, you can slowly turn the knob to the right and watch the different colour combinations.
Red stripes in the air Once everything is securely fastened to your mounting plate, you can wave the entire constructions back and forth. Doing this, you can draw a red dashed line in the air. The red flashes turn into red stripes in the air. This happens because short light pulses continue to have an effect in the eye. If you set a higher flashing frequency, the stripes will be shorter. If you make the flashes longer, the stripes will also be longer.
16 The sound box Your computer contains a number of different tones and sounds. You need to select programme A-G and you need the loudspeaker again connected to the connectors MS13 and MS14 of the micro-controller. You also need to connect the pushbutton to one of the 20 connectors 1 to 6 of the microcontrollers. Start with connector MI1. When pressing the button, you will hear the sound of a cockerel. Cock-adoodle-doo! Then switch to input MI2 and press the button again. A weird sound can be heard.
Firmly wired sound box Each computer, including your micro-controller, has two types of memory. One works like shortterm memory, which forgets everything once you switch it off. Intermediate results are saved there. For example, if the micro-controller just detected that your button at input M I2 was pressed, it must memorise this event so that it can decide which sound to play. Using the programme A-H, you can play the same sounds, but this time you use a cable connected to MI2 to MI6 to select them.
18 Disco playback A vinyl record is normally played at a certain speed. But the disc jockey in a disco can also make a vinyl record rotate more slowly or faster to change its sound. You can also do this with the saved sounds. To do this, select programme B-C. For this project, you will need the variable resistor and a switch, which is connected to MI6 this time. You will also need a cable that selects the desired sound. At input MI1, the cockerel sound is played.
Motorcycle sounds Using the programme B-D, your microcontroller generates the sound of a motorcycle engine. And you can change the speed again with the knob, which is connected between M+ and MI5 as done before. Step on it! 19 MS MS PROG The PROG-connections A to H are used to select the programme. You may have come across it accidentally: Nothing happens if you change the programme while the micro-controller is running.
A stroboscope 20 You can seemingly freeze fast movements with short flashes of light. If the flashes occur fast one after another, the same movement will be visible in successive moments. Start the programme D-H. This time, all three colours of the colour LED are switched on at the same time to create white light. You are already familiar with the corresponding connections at the micro-controller. You can change the speed with the knob.
Cock-a-doodle-doo in the morning As soon as the sun comes up, the cockerel calls. Your micro-controller can do that too! To do this, you need to install a light sensor. It has three connectors, LS1 (negative pole), LS2 (output) and LS3 (positive pole). The abbreviation LS stands for Light Sensor. The appropriate input for the light sensor is always the connector MI6. The corresponding programme is started with the connection B-F.
22 Optical Theremin Have you ever seen a Theremin? It is a musical instrument that is played without touching it, by moving your hand more or less closely to an antenna. Only very few musicians can play this instrument. But you get the chance to practice, because you can build a similar instrument with your microcontroller and light sensor. Everything is the same as in the last project, but the wire connection to select the programme is now between B and G.
23 Automatic night light This night light uses the light sensor and the LED strip. The programme is started with the connection B-E. All LEDs remain switched off as long as it is light. But as soon as it gets dark, the LEDs start to flash at random. The light will switch off again after five minutes so that the batteries aren’t discharged too much. But if you switch the light briefly on and off again, the effect starts again. Some street lights are controlled in the same way.
If you want to keep one of the three colours, keep a button pressed. You can also switch on the normal light; the colour selected last will remain switched on. This is because your light sensor can’t really distinguish between the colours. In fact, the project will also work if you control the device with light flashes from a torch light. 28 25 Really fast cinema This device creates moving images, whose speed you can adjust. Connect the LED strip tot the six outputs again.
Turn the rotary knob all the way to the left, your film runs very slowly. You’ll see a running LED light where the LEDs are switched on successively from 1 to 6. Turn the knob further to the right and the lights get faster. Now you will only see one point of light that moves quickly over the row. If you turn the knob all the way to the right, the movement becomes so fast that you can follow it with your eyes. It looks as though all six LEDs light up at the same time. You can only see a flickering clearly.
27 Drag race In this race, you drive fast cars over a short distance. There is a traffic light at the start, which gives the start signal. This is about the fastest reaction time. If you start only a moment too soon or too late, you have no chance. In this game, the traffic light consists of the LED strip with six points. There are also two buttons for two players. The programme is started with the connection D-F. The traffic light shows a descending light point from LED 6 to LED1.
Catch the blue! This game for one person uses the tricolour LED, the loudspeaker and a button. To start the programme, you need two wire connections, A-C and E-F. 28 This game is about pressing the button exactly in that moment when the blue light switches on. You start the game by pressing the button. First, white light flashes three times and you hear three sounds. Then you start. The colours red, green and blue are shown in random order. Every time blue is shown, you need to press the button.
29 The conductor When the conductor lifts his baton, all musicians in an orchestra are highly concentrated and then the baton conducts the music. Now you can practice exactly this. Your baton is the location sensor and the music is played out of the loudspeaker. The programme is started again with two wire connections, A-B and C-D. 32 It is best to build everything on a stable plate you can then swing back and forth like a conductor’s baton.
Horror, laughter or fart 31 This game needs two buttons, the tricolour LED and the loudspeaker. Colours are shown randomly, which must be answered by pressing the correct button. Then you will hear the corresponding sound. The game is started with the connection C-E. The programme is started with the connection D - G. You now have four drums: The game begins when you press button A. The first colour is shown immediately and you need to press the correct button. Then the corresponding sound is played.
32 Motion detector This device detects an intruder with the light sensor. The alarm requires the tricolour LED and the loudspeaker. The programme is started with the connection B-H. The motion detector works best when the light isn’t too bright. Place the sensor in a location where it will be in the shadow of an intruder. Try it for yourself and see if the alarm is triggered. You will hear a loud siren and coloured light flashing. 34 33 Heads or tails? Often a decision is made by tossing a coin.
Every time you press the button, the lights will flash quickly and you will hear a loud clinking sound as if a coin landed on the floor. The flashing will slow down and stop eventually. Then either the red or the green light will go on. And a decision is made. Game and Knowledge in Electronics-Lab 34 Measuring electric conductivity How well does an object conduct electricity? This is easy to investigate, because your micro-controller will turn into a measurement device in this experiment.
35 Light inside the fridge? Touch a coin with the two naked ends of your test cables. All six LEDs light up and indicate that the metal of the coin is a very good conductor. Try the same with a rubber eraser and you will see that rubber doesn’t conduct electricity. All LEDs remain off. Touch both ends with your fingers. The result can be very different. If your skin is very dry, the LEDs will not light up. If there is a little bit of moisture, up to three LEDs might light up.
Quiz show MS MS PROG 36 You know quiz shows, where you press a giant button when you know the answer. Sometimes, two contestants press their buttons at the same time. But there is a tiny time difference between them. A computer determines who pressed the button first, and your computer can do that too. Connect two pushbuttons, the loudspeaker and the two LEDs 1 and 6 of the LED strip. Start the programme with the connection E-F. There is a quiz master and two contestants.
37 Catch the flash! This is a game for two. Each player tries to catch his LED when it switches on. This time, you need the LED strip, the loudspeaker and two push-buttons. The corresponding programme is started with the connections A-C and D-H. Player 1 uses button A and tries to catch a flash of LED1. Player 2 uses button B and tries to catch a flash of LED6. The game begins when you press button 1. There is a lead melody with three tones and then the game begins. The LEDs flash completely randomly.
Pong - electronic ping pong This is a simplified version of the classic game Pong, which was played with a joystick on a monitor. Pong was the first video game and came out in 1972. There were digital joysticks, with which you could move your bat up and down 38 to hit the ball. You will use an LED strip and two push-buttons instead; the loudspeaker is also used again. The programme is selected with the connection G-H. There are two players.
39 Secret message The micro-controller contains a secret message. To retrieve it, you only need to connect the LED strip. The programme is started with the connection C-H. First, you only see random flashes of the LEDs. But if you move the entire mounting plate back and forth quickly, you can paint a picture in the air. Move the game faster and faster over a distance of about 25 cm, until you can see the secret message. (Tip: It is not a question mark.
Ding-dong doorbell Build your own doorbell! For the doorbell, you will need the push-button and the loudspeaker, which are connected to the micro-controller as done previously. The corresponding programme is selected with 40 two wire connections A-C and D-E. Find a suitable piece of string and make a loop at the mounting plate. You can then hang the bell on the door handle.
41 Sound reaction game This game uses the loudspeaker, two pushbuttons, the light sensor and the location sensor. All components are connected as done previously, but the location sensor must not be firmly inserted, but should hang loosely from two wires so that you can take it into your hands and move it. The programme is started with two wire connections: A - C and D - F. 42 You can play this game on your own or with a second player. You will need bright light, which shines on the light sensor.
Electronic die If you like playing board games, you need a die. But it can also be an electronic die, which shows the rolled number on the LED strip. You also need a push-button and the 42 loudspeaker, which plays the sound of a rolling die. The programme is started with the connection E-H. Every time you press the button, the microcontroller calculates a random number between 1 and 6 and indicates it on the LED strip. You can also invent your own die games.
43 Brightness meter Brightness meters are installed in cameras so that the correct exposure time is set. Our eye is so good at adjusting to different brightness’s that we hardly notice the difference. But your brightness meter with the light sensor and the LED strip is completely objective and reliably indicates changes. The corresponding programme is started with the connection F-H. Test the meter in a completely dark room. All LEDs will only switch off, if it is really completely dark.
Rainbow in the dark Use your micro-controller to paint a rainbow in the air, even if it is not raining and the sun is not shining. You will need the tricolour LED, which is connected to MO7 to MO9 as done previously. You can start the programme with connections A-D and E-G. Game and Knowledge in Electronics-Lab 44 After switching on, you will see colourful light flashes. Move the device back and forth through the air. You now see colourful stripes. Your device paints the colours of the rainbow in the air.
45 The TV friend Some people can really spoil your enjoyment of TV by constantly messing about with the remote control. This device will alert them with sounds that this goes on your nerves. Every time a button of the remote control is pressed, a sound you can select yourself is played in response. The construction requires the light sensor and the loudspeaker. The programme is started again with two wire connections, A-B and C-F.
Laser alarm the tricolour LED and is detected by the light sensor. You also need to connect the loudspeaker. The programme is started with the connection E - G. Build a U-shaped scaffolding using the mounting plates so that the tricolour LED and the light sensor are directly opposite each other. The room needs to be very dark so that the surrounding light does not confuse the light sensor. Only the LED light should be on.
47 Baseball The first rule of baseball is: Keep your eye on the ball! In this electronic version of the game, you need to keep your eye on the LED. For the game, you will need the LED strip, the loudspeaker and also the location sensor as baseball bat connected to two long cables. The programme is selected with the wire connection D-E. The ball comes at you over and over again. You will see a running light from LED1 to LED 6. Your position is LED 6.
Pencil organ You have already found out that your pencil can conduct electricity well. Even a thick line drawn with a pencil on a piece of paper conducts some electricity. The shorter the distance, the lower is the impedance; similar to your potentiometer. You can use this to build an electronic organ. You will Game and Knowledge in Electronics-Lab 48 need the loudspeaker and three free wires, with which you can touch the pencil line. The programme is started with the wire connections A-B and C-E.
49 Shaking record The aim of this game is to shake the location sensor connected to two long cables as fast as possible. Your micro-controller will count the number of moves for ten seconds. Use the longest cables to connect the sensor. You will also need the loudspeaker and the tricolour LED. The counting programme is started again with two wire connections, A-C and D-G. The result will be shown with the tricolour LED. The red LED shows the tens, the green LED the ones.
The fart race In this game, you will hear different sounds. But when you hear the fart sound, you need to press the button really quickly. You will need a push-button and the loudspeaker for this game. The programme is selected with A - D and E - H. Game and Knowledge in Electronics-Lab 50 After switching on the battery, you need to press the button once so that the game can truly start. You will hear three start sounds and then random sounds will be played.
Inserting the batteries Quiz questions Answers Which is the fastest land animal in the world? The cheetah In which galaxy is Earth? In the Milky Way Insert three new 1.5 - volt mignon batteries (AAA) in the orientation that is indicated inside the battery compartment. How many sides does a rectangle have? Four Who was the first man on the Moon? Neil Armstrong Replace the lid and screw it tight.
