pitsco Blinky User manual

32897
V0210
Blinky
Kit
User Guide
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS 66762
shop.pitsco.com
Toll-Free Orders 800-835-0686
24815 V0912

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Included Materials
Part Name Location on Circuit Board (Figure 2 below)
• Circuit board N/A
• 2 transistors Q1 and Q2
• 4 LEDs LED1, LED2, LED3, and LED4
• 2 capacitors C1 and C2
• 2 330Ωresistors R3 and R4
• 2 10kΩresistors R1 and R2
• 9-volt battery snap 9-volt
• Switch Power
• Length of solder N/A
Tools Required (not included)
• Soldering iron or pencil
• Diagonal pliers
• 9-volt battery
Instructions
As you begin this electronic soldering activity,
remember the proper way to solder. First, heat the foil
strip and then touch the solder to it. The solder then
flows to the trace and the component lead. Use just
enough solder to cover the connection. Be sure to read
and follow all directions.
1. Using the Included Materials section, make sure
you have all of the Blinky parts. The letters next to
the Part Name correspond to the part’s image
(Figure 1). Notice the location(s) of each part on
the circuit board are to the left of the part names.
Figure 2
ABCD
E
F
Figure 1 – Blinky components
A
B
C
D
E
F
D
Cautionary and Warning Statement
• This kit is designed and intended for educational purposes only.
• Use only under the direct supervision of an adult who has read and understood the instructions
provided in this user guide.
• Read warnings on packaging and in manual carefully.
• Safety glasses required when soldering.
• Always exercise caution when using soldering iron.
Soldering Iron Safety Tips
• Always get permission from an adult before using a soldering iron.
• Be sure to read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions provided with your soldering iron.
• Never touch the element or tip of the soldering iron.
• Always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
• Turn unit off or unplug it when not in use.

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2. The circuit has one side with strips of shiny
metal called traces. The other side has traces
and a picture of a robot. Place the
components through the picture side of the
circuit board (Figure 3).
3. Place the board in front of you with the
picture of the robot facing up (Figure 4).
4. Locate the 9-volt battery snap. Insert the
ends of its two wires through the holes in the
bottom of the circuit board labeled 9-volt.
Insert the red wire (positive) through the
hole labeled with a positive (+) sign. Insert
the black wire (negative) through the hole
labeled with a negative (-) sign.
5. Turn over the circuit board (facedown) and
solder the two ends of the battery snap wires
using the following soldering technique. Heat
the end of the battery snap wire and the trace
by holding the tip of the soldering iron against
both the trace and the wire. While holding this
position, place the end of the roll of solder at
the point of the soldering iron. The solder will
melt and flow onto the joint. Melt just enough
solder to cover the point. Too much solder
could cause a short circuit.
Tip: If you use too much solder and connect
two leads, place the tip of the soldering iron
between the two leads and melt the solder
from between them.
6. Turn over the circuit board (faceup); select one
of the LEDs. Notice that the two wires, or leads,
are different lengths. Insert the LED at location
LED1 with the short lead in the negative (-)
hole. The LED should be on the picture side of the board.
Caution: When installing LEDs, notice the two wires are very close together. If the wires touch, a
short circuit will occur and the robot will not work. Be sure excess solder does not bridge the gap
between the two LED leads.
7. Solder each lead using the solder technique in Step 5.
8. After soldering the LED in place, use diagonal pliers to clip off any part of the leads above the
solder joint.
9. Install the second LED in location LED2. Again, the short lead should be inserted in the negative
(-) hole.
10. Install LED3 and LED4 the same way. Clip off excess leads.
11. Locate the two 330Ω resistors (these have orange, orange, and brown stripes). Insert and solder in
locations R3 and R4. Clip the excess leads.
9-volt
REV.1
BLINKY
Figure 4 – Circuit board face up
Front Back
Figure 3 – Both sides of the circuit board have traces,
copper strips that carry electricity from one component
to another creating a circuit.

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12. Locate the two 10kΩ resistors (these have brown, black, and orange stripes) and insert them in the
R1 and R2 locations. Solder in place and clip excess leads.
13. Locate the two transistors and insert them in the Q1 and Q2 locations. Place the transistor so the
flat side faces the top of the board (toward the robot’s head) before soldering. Solder, and then
clip excess leads.
14. Locate the two capacitors. Insert the leads through the holes at locations C1 and C2 with the
negative (-) side of the capacitor facing toward the negative (-) sign marked on the circuit board.
Solder and clip excess leads.
15. Locate the switch. Insert it into the holes labeled power and solder it in place.
16. Connect a 9-volt battery to the battery snap.
17. Slide the switch to the On position to test the circuits. The lights on the robot should flash
intermittently. If the robot does not light, check each of the solder joints to ensure you have not
created a short circuit.