Elenco Electronics SC3DMEG User manual

Copyright © 2017 by Elenco®Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced by 753135
any means; electronic, photocopying, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. U.S. Patents: 7,144,255; 7,273,377, & patents pending
Projects 1 - 163
Instruction Manual
8-108
AGES
Project 40
Project 36
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-1-
1. Most circuit problems are due to incorrect assembly, always
double-check that your circuit exactly matches the drawing for it.
2. Be sure that parts with positive/negative markings are
positioned as per the drawing.
3. Be sure that all connections are securely snapped.
4. Try replacing the batteries.
Elenco®is not responsible for parts damaged due to
incorrect wiring.
Basic Troubleshooting
Note: If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can follow the
Advanced Troubleshooting procedure on page 11 to determine which
ones need replacing.
Basic Troubleshooting 1
Parts List 2 - 3
How to Use Snap Circuits® 4 - 6
About Your Snap Circuits®Parts 7 - 8
Introduction to Electricity 9
DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits 10
Advanced Troubleshooting 11
Project Listings 12 - 13
Projects 1 - 163 14 - 92
Bonus Circuits 93 - 96
Going Further 97
Other Snap Circuits®Products 98
WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect
Snap Circuits®to the electrical outlets in your home
in any way!
Table of Contents
WARNING: Always check your
wiring before turning on a circuit.
Never leave a circuit unattended
while the batteries are installed.
Never connect additional batteries or
any other power sources to your
circuits. Discard any cracked or
broken parts.
Adult Supervision:
Because children’s abilities vary so
much, even with age groups, adults
should exercise discretion as to
which experiments are suitable and
safe (the instructions should enable
supervising adults to establish the
experiment’s suitability for the child).
Make sure your child reads and
follows all of the relevant instructions
and safety procedures, and keeps
them at hand for reference.
This product is intended for use by
adults and children who have
attained sufficient maturity to read
and follow directions and warnings.
Never modify your parts, as doing so
may disable important safety
features in them, and could put your
child at risk of injury.
CAUTION: High intensity light. Do
not look directly at the white LED
(D6).
●Use only 1.5V AA type, alkaline
batteries (not included).
●Insert batteries with correct
polarity.
●Non-rechargeable batteries
should not be recharged.
Rechargeable batteries should
only be charged under adult
supervision, and should not be
recharged while in the product.
●Do not connect batteries or
battery holders in parallel.
●Do not mix old and new batteries.
●Do not mix alkaline, standard
(carbon-zinc), or rechargeable
(nickel-cadmium) batteries.
●Remove batteries when they are
used up.
●Do not short circuit the battery
terminals.
●Never throw batteries in a fire or
attempt to open its outer casing.
●
Batteries are harmful if swallowed,
so keep away from small children.
Batteries:
!
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not
for children under 3 years.
!
Conforms to all applicable U.S. government requirements and
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3 (B).
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Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free [phone] or e-mail us at:
[email protected]. Customer Service ● 150 Carpenter Ave. ● Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.
Parts List (Colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers
Qty. ID Name Symbol Part # Qty. ID Name Symbol Part #
r31-Snap Wire 6SC01 r4Base Grid Support 6SCBGSUP
r62-Snap Wire 6SC02 r1Illusion Cards 6SCCARD1
r33-Snap Wire 6SC03 r1Compass 6SCCOM
r14-Snap Wire 6SC04 r1Blue LED 6SCD9
r15-Snap Wire 6SC05 r1 Blink Red LED 6SCD11
r16-Snap Wire 6SC06 r1Color2 LED 6SCD12
r23D Snap 6SC3DSNAP r1EGG 6SCEGG
r1
Battery Holder - uses
three (3) 1.5V type
“AA” (not Included) 6SCB3 r1Mounting Base 6SC MB
r1
Base Grid
(11.0” x 7.7”) 6SCBG r1
Fiber Optic Festive ree
6SCF 2
r3
Base Grid Mini
(7.7” x 5.5”) 6SCBGM r1Small Gear (22T) 6SCGEAR5
r1
Base Grid Mini 2-Side
(7.7” x 5.5”) 6SCBGM2 r1 Large Gear (30 ) 6SCGEAR6
5
4
3
2
1
B3
6
D11
D9
D12
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-3-
Parts List (Colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers
Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free [phone] or e-mail us at:
[email protected]. Customer Service ● 150 Carpenter Ave. ● Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.
Qty. ID Name Symbol Part # Qty. ID Name Symbol Part #
r1Jumper Wire (Black) 6SCJ1 r1Illusion Card Holder
6SCMBASE2
r1Jumper Wire (Red) 6SCJ2 r1Mirror Ball
6SCMIRBAL
r2Jumper Wire (Blue) 6SCJ4 r1Slide Switch 6SCS1
r14.5V Lamp 6SCL4 r1Press Switch 6SCS2
r1String 6SCM1S r1Reed Switch 6SCS9
r1Clear Motor 6SCM4 r1Screw PM 3x8 mm
6SCSCREW3
r1Wind an 6SCM4B r6Stabilizer 6SCSTAB
r1Orange Motor 6SCM9 r1Melody IC 6SCU32
r1Gear Insert 6SCM9B r4
90° Vertical Snap Wire 6SCV1
r1Magnet 6SCMAG r2
45° Vertical Snap Wire 6SCV2
L4
V1
M9
V2
U32
S2
S1
S9
You may order additional / replacement parts at our website: www.snapcircuits.net
M4
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Snap Circuits®uses building blocks with snaps
to build the different electrical and electronic
circuits in the projects. Each block has a
function: there are switch blocks, light blocks,
battery blocks, different length wire blocks, etc.
These blocks are different colors and have
numbers on them so that you can easily
identify them. The blocks you will be using are
shown as color symbols with level numbers
next to them, allowing you to easily snap them
together to form a circuit.
For Example:
This is the slide switch, it is green and has the
marking on it. The part symbols in this
booklet may not exactly match the appearance
of the actual parts, but will clearly identify them.
This is a wire block which is blue and comes
in different wire lengths.
This one has the number , , , ,
or on it depending on the length of the wire
connection required.
There is also a 1-snap wire that is used as a
spacer or for interconnection between different
layers.
You need a power source to build each circuit.
This is labeled and requires three (3) 1.5V
“AA” batteries (not included).
When installing a battery, be sure the spring
is compressed straight back, and not bent up,
down, or to one side.
One large and four smaller clear plastic base
grids are included with this kit to help keep the
circuit blocks properly spaced. You will see
evenly spaced posts that the different blocks
snap into. The large base has rows labeled A-
G and columns labeled 1-10, and the small
base has rows labeled A-E and columns
labeled 1-7. It should be obvious whether to
use a small base grid or a large base grid. or
small circuits that only need one grid, either
size may be used.
Next to each part in every circuit drawing is a
small number in black. This tells you which
level the component is placed at. Place all
parts on level 1 first, then all of the parts on
level 2, then all of the parts on level 3, etc.
Some circuits use the jumper wires to make
unusual connections. Just clip them to the
metal snaps or as indicated.
When assembling the 3D circuits, the order in
which parts are installed is important. In
particular, the vertical snap wires (V1) need to
be snapped onto the mini base grid first and
then the mini base grid is slid into the base grid
support as shown below. One of the small
grids has pegs on both sides and six thru-
snaps. Some projects will indicate that this grid
must be (or must not be) used in a specific
location, otherwise it may be used
interchangeably with the other small grids.
234
6
How to Use SnapCircuits
®
B3
S1
5
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Due to the complex nature of building 3D
circuits, the circuit diagrams use special
symbols that may need additional clarification.
One such example is the symbol for the
vertical snap wire (V1). It consists of two parts,
the horizontal base and vertical stem. In the
illustration below, the base is attached to the
large base grid and the stem is attached to the
mini base grid. The symbol makes V1 appear
as two separate parts, but in reality the symbol
is connected at the red circular ends.
The 45 degree vertical snap wire (V2) is similar
to V1 but mounts at a 45 degree angle
Another symbol of note is the base grid
support. It is important to pay attention to the
orientation of the part in the diagram since it is
not symmetrical. The figure below shows the
symbol with the narrow channel on top. This
corresponds to the 3D rendering showing the
base grid support orientation.
When inserting the base grid into the base grid
support, it is a good idea to insert an area on
the base grid that doesn’t have raised letters
or numbers. The raised text can interfere with
the insertion or cause a tight fit between the
base grid and base grid support.
To install the base grid support onto the base
grid, align the holes of the support with the
base grid pegs in the desired location on the
base grid and press down firmly on the base
grid support. Make sure that the base grid
support is fully seated on the base grid.
The stabilizer is used to connect base grids on
their corners or edges. With eight slots, the
stabilizer allows the base grids to be mounted
in increments of 45 degrees. To attach the
stabilizer to the base grid, simply align the
desired grooves in the stabilizer with the edges
of the base grids and press down. The figure
below shows how the stabilizer symbol is
presented in the manual and the 3D rendering
of the stabilizer mounted to two base grids.
Some projects use the illusion cards. Separate
them (if they came together), push one into the
Illusion card holder.
If at any point the illusion cards become to
loose to stay in the card holder you can add a
small strip of paper to insure the card fits snug
in the holder.
Then push the holder onto the shaft of the
clear motor (M4).
How to Use SnapCircuits
®
-5-
Note: While building the projects, be careful not
to accidentally make a direct connection across
the battery holder (a “short circuit”), as this may
damage and/or quickly drain the batteries.
Note: Go to: www.snapcircuits.net/sc3dmeg
for interactive 3D pictures to help with
building the 3D circuits.
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How to Use SnapCircuits
®
The clear motor (M4) will often have the wind
fan mounted on it; simply push the fan onto the
shaft. To remove it, push up on it with a
screwdriver or your thumbs, being careful not
to break it.
This set contains three LED attachments, which
can be mounted on the LED modules (D9, D11,
and D12) to enhance their light effects. The egg
attachment is mounted directly on the LEDs, but
the fiber optic festive tree must be mounted
using the mounting base, as shown. This is
described in the projects.
In some
projects the mirror ball is placed on the orange
motor (M9).
In some projects a gear is mounted on the
orange motor using the gear insert.---
In some projects one or two components are
attached to a gear using the 3D snaps
Egg
Fiber Optic Festive
Tree
SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 7

About Your Snap Circuits®Parts
(Part designs are subject to change without notice).
The base grids are platforms for mounting
parts and wires. They function like the printed
circuit boards used in most electronic
products, or like how the walls are used for
mounting the electrical wiring in your home.
This set has two sizes, which can be placed
together to form larger grids. One of the small
grids has pegs on both sides and 6 thru-snaps,
to allow assembly of circuits on both sides.
The slide & press switches (S1 &S2)
connect (pressed or “ON”) or disconnect (not
pressed or “O ”) the wires in a circuit. When
ON they have no effect on circuit performance.
Switches turn on electricity just like a faucet
turns on water from a pipe.
The reed switch (S9) is an electrical switch
that can be controlled by a magnet. It has two
metal contacts close together. The magnetic
field from the magnet makes the contacts
come together, completing a circuit just like
other switches do.
The blue snap
wires are wires
used to connect
c o m p o n e n t s .
They are used
to transport
electricity and
do not affect
circuit performance. They come in different
lengths to allow orderly arrangement of
connections on the base grid.
The vertical snap wires (V1) and 45 degree
vertical snap wires (V2) make connections
between two dimensions, allowing electricity to
go up a wall.
The jumper wires (red, black, & blue) make
flexible connections for times when using the
snap wires would be difficult. They also are
used to make connections off the base grid.
Wires transport electricity just like pipes are
used to transport water. The colorful plastic
coating protects them and prevents electricity
from getting in or out.
The batteries (B3) produce an electrical
voltage using a chemical reaction. This
“voltage” can be thought of as electrical
pressure, pushing electricity through a circuit
just like a pump pushes water through pipes.
This voltage is much lower and much safer
than that used in your house wiring.
Using more
batteries increases the “pressure”, therefore, more
electricity flows.
BASE GRID
SNAP WIRES, VERTICALSNAP
WIRES, & UMPER WIRES
BATTERY HOLDER
SLIDE&PRESS SWITCHES
Battery Holder (B3)
REED SWITCH (S9)
Slide &Press
Switches
(S1 & S2)
-7-
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About Your Snap Circuits®Parts
The melody IC(U32) contains a specialized
sound-generation integrated circuit (IC), a
small speaker, and a few supporting
components. The IC has a recording of the
melody, which it makes into an electrical signal
for the speaker. The speaker converts the
signal into mechanical vibrations. The
vibrations create variations in air pressure,
which travel across the room. You “hear”
sound when your ears feel these air pressure
variations.
A light bulb, such as in the 4.5V lamp (L4),
contains a special thin high-resistance wire.
When a lot of electricity flows through, this wire
gets so hot it glows bright. Voltages above the
bulb’s rating can burn out the wire.
The blue, blink red, and color2 LEDs (D9,
D11 & D12) are light emitting diodes, and may
be thought of as a special one-way light bulbs.
In the “forward” direction, (indicated by the
“arrow” in the symbol) electricity flows if the
voltage exceeds a turn-on threshold
brightness then increases. The blink red LED
contains a microcircuit that turns it on and off.
The color2 LED contains red, green, and blue
LEDs, with a micro-circuit controlling them. A
high current will burn out an LED, so the
current must be limited by other components
in the circuit (Snap Circuits®LEDs have
internal resistors added, to protect them in
case you make wiring mistakes). LEDs block
electricity in the “reverse” direction.
The clear motor (M4) converts electricity into
mechanical motion. An electric current
through the motor will turn the shaft. It can
also be used as a generator, since it produces
an electric current when the shaft is turned.
How does electricity turn the shaft in the
motor? The answer is magnetism. Electricity
is closely related to magnetism, and an electric
current flowing in a wire has a magnetic field
similar to that of a very, very tiny magnet.
Inside the motor are several coils of wire with
many loops. If a large electric current flows
through the loops, the magnetic effects
become concentrated enough to move the
coils. The motor has a magnet inside, so as
the electricity moves the coils to align them
with the permanent magnet, the shaft spins.
The orange motor (M9) is a motor with a built-
in gearbox. The gearbox makes the shaft spin
slower but with greater force. Do not try to spin
its shaft manually to generate electricity
because you may break it. The middle snap is
only used for mechanical stability.
SOUND MODULE
MOTORS
LEDs
LAMP
-8-
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Introduction to Electricity
What is electricity? Nobody really knows. We only know how to produce it,
understand its properties, and how to control it. Electricity is the movement of sub-
atomic charged particles (called electrons) through a material due to electrical
pressure across the material, such as from a battery.
Power sources, such as batteries, push electricity through a circuit, like a pump
pushes water through pipes. Wires carry electricity, like pipes carry water. Devices
like LEDs, motors, and speakers use the energy in electricity to do things. Switches
and transistors control the flow of electricity like valves and faucets control water.
Resistors limit the flow of electricity.
The electrical pressure exerted by a battery or other power source is called
voltage and is measured in volts (V). Notice the “+” and “–” signs on the battery;
these indicate which direction the battery will “pump” the electricity.
The electric current is a measure of how fast electricity is flowing in a wire, just
as the water current describes how fast water is flowing in a pipe. It is expressed
in amperes (A) or milliamps (mA, 1/1000 of an ampere).
The “power” of electricity is a measure of how fast energy is moving through a
wire. It is a combination of the voltage and current (Power = Voltage x Current). It
is expressed in watts (W).
The resistance of a component or circuit represents how much it resists the
electrical pressure (voltage) and limits the flow of electric current. The relationship
is Voltage = Current x Resistance. When the resistance increases, less current
flows. Resistance is measured in ohms (W), or kilo ohms (kW, 1000 ohms).
Nearly all of the electricity used in our world is produced at enormous generators
driven by steam or water pressure. Wires are used to efficiently transport this
energy to homes and businesses where it is used. Motors convert the electricity
back into mechanical form to drive machinery and appliances. The most important
aspect of electricity in our society is that it allows energy to be easily transported
over distances.
Note that “distances” includes not just large distances but also tiny distances. Try
to imagine a plumbing structure of the same complexity as the circuitry inside a
portable radio - it would have to be large because we can’t make water pipes so
small. Electricity allows complex designs to be made very small.
There are two ways of arranging parts in a circuit, in series or
in parallel. Here are examples:
Placing components in series increases the resistance; highest
value dominates. Placing components in parallel decreases the
resistance; lowest value dominates.
The parts within these series and parallel sub-circuits may be
arranged in different ways without changing what the circuit
does. Large circuits are made of combinations of smaller series
and parallel circuits.
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit
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