Kits for all the projects are available from
RSH Electronics.
Project kits are available! Kits for all the projects on this website are available from
RSH Electronics.
If you are new to electronics this is an ideal way to be sure you have the correct parts.
A brief description of the each project is given, but for full details click on the title.
If you are looking for an easy project suitable for a beginner you might like to try the
Flashing LED or Dummy Alarm.
In addition to the web pages, all projects are available as PDF files to download
for convenient printing onto A4 paper.
To view and print PDF files you need an Acrobat Reader which may be downloaded free for
Windows,
Mac,
RISC OS,
or UNIX/Linux
computers. If you are not sure which type of computer you have it is probably
Windows.
These projects are provided in good faith but no responsibilty is accepted
for their accuracy or suitability for any purpose - you use them entirely at your own risk!
If you find an error in a project please tell me
so that I can correct it as soon as possible.
Dummy Alarm This project makes a superbright LED flash briefly once every 5 seconds to imitate the indicator
light of a real alarm. The circuit is designed to use very little current to prolong battery life
so that it can be left on permanently.
This is a simple project, ideal for a beginner.
Quiz This project can be used for a quiz with up to 4 contestants (or teams).
Each contestant has a trigger push-switch and LED. When a trigger switch is pressed it lights the
corresponding LED, sounds the bleeper and prevents the other trigger switches from working - therefore
showing which contestant was the first to press their switch.
Traffic Light This project operates red, amber and green LEDs in the correct sequence for a single UK traffic light.
The time taken for the complete red - red & amber - green - amber sequence can be varied from about 7s
to about 2½ minutes.
A 4017 counter is used to produce the traffic light sequence
and this project could be adapted to give a different light sequence if you wish.
Dice Press the push switch to 'throw' the dice: this makes the circuit rapidly cycle
through the dice numbers so that an effectively random dice number is displayed
by the LEDs when the push switch is released.
Model Lighthouse This project was designed for a model lighthouse to flash a lamp or LED in a simple sequence:
two flashes of 2s with a short gap of 1s, followed by a longer gap of 5s before
repeating the sequence.
A 4017 counter is used to produce the flash sequence
and this project includes information on how to adapt it to give a different flash sequence.
Simple Component and Continuity Tester
This simple project can be used to test components, circuit board tracks,
wires and connections.
Flashing LED This simple project makes a good low-cost first project to check your soldering skills
and learn to identify common components. The LED flashes at about 3Hz (3 flashes per second).
Simple Electronic 'Lock' There are six (or more) push switches. To 'unlock' you must press all the correct
ones at the same time, but not press any of the cancel switches. Pressing just
one cancel switch will prevent the circuit unlocking. When the circuit unlocks
it actually just turns on an LED for about one second, but it is intended to be
adapted to turn on a relay which could be used to switch on another circuit.
Most relays cost about £2 to £3 extra.
Adjustable Timer This circuit starts timing when switched on. A green LED lights to show that
timing is in progress. When the time period is over the green LED turns off,
a red LED turns on and a bleeper sounds. The time period is set by a
variable resistor and it can be adjusted from 1 to 10 minutes (approximately). It could be
used to set a time limit when playing games or as an egg-timer in the kitchen.
Light-Sensitive Alarm The circuit detects a sudden shadow falling on a light-sensor and sounds a bleeper for
a short time (adjustable). Normal lighting can be used, but the circuit will work best
if a beam of light is arranged to fall on the light-sensor. Breaking this beam will
then cause the bleeper to sound.
Christmas Decoration 18 LEDs flash at three different rates and you can use these to create a decoration
of your choice. A template for a Christmas tree can be downloaded.
The circuit is kept simple (and low cost) by using the 4060B IC which is a counter
and oscillator (clock) in one package.
The circuit requires a 9V supply, such as a PP3 battery.
Model Railway Signal This signal is controlled automatically by a passing train fitted with a magnet.
It can also be manually set to red or green by pressing the switches. Trains will
automatically stop at the red signal.
Model Railway Level Crossing Lights
The level crossing warning lights are switched on automatically as a train approaches.
First an amber light shows, then two red lights flash until the train has passed the crossing.
Network Lead Tester
This was designed for confirming the continuity and correct wiring of computer network leads,
but it can be adapted to check any lead with up to 8 wires by using appropriate connectors.
'Random' Flasher for 8 LEDs
This project uses a 4026 counter and display driver IC to flash eight LEDs in an
apparently random manner. It can be used to create a display of your choice.
Heart-shaped Badge The badge consists of eight LEDs arranged in the shape of a heart. One LED is lit
at a time and this 'chases' round the shape. It would be easy to adapt this
project to create other shapes with the eight LEDs.
Valentine Heart 18 LEDs flash at three different rates and you can use these to create an eye-catching Valentine
Heart for that special person! A template for the heart shape can be downloaded.
The circuit is kept simple (and low cost) by using the 4060B IC which is a counter
and oscillator (clock) in one package. The circuit requires a 9V supply, such as a PP3 battery.
Kits for all these projects are available from
RSH Electronics.
If you are new to electronics I recommend buying a kit because it is a good way to be sure
you have the correct parts for a project.
Dummy Alarm
Traffic Light
Dice
Model Lighthouse
Simple Component and Continuity Tester
Christmas Decoration
Heart-shaped Badge
Valentine Heart
