Radio Shack Science Fair Goofy-Lite 28-130 User manual

ELECTRONIC PROJECT #28-130 GOOFY-LITE
Science Fair Goofylite is an amazing device which seems to blink forever on one set of batteries. It will, in
fact, go several weeks without changing batteries, especially when Radio Shack Alkaline Enercells are used. The
neon lamps ordinarily fire at a voltage of 60 volts or more. Since it requires a high voltage to fire them, and since they
discharge rapidly after firing, they can be used to control blinking or oscillating circuits. Oscillation is the principal use
in this particular unit.
Since the battery voltage is only 6 volts, it is first necessary ti build up to the sixty volts required to fire the
lamp. The transistor, Q1, the capacitor C6 and C7, and the transformer T1, comprise the oscillation circuit. This
oscillator circuit converts the direct current coming from the battery to an alternating current. The transformer then
steps up the alternating 6 volt current to almost 200 volts at the transformer’s secondary stage. This voltage is high,
however the current very low and is not dangerous in any way. The voltage then passes through the resistors R1-R5
and is stored in the capacitors C1-C5until sufficient voltage fires a particular neon bulb. The speed at which the bulb
fires is determined by the particular characteristic of the bulb. If all the bulbs are connected alike then the bulbs will
fire at random. If a special sequence of capacitor connection is made, however, the bulbs will fire in sequence. You
have the option of wiring this kit so that it will blink either randomly or in sequence.
Entire Contents Copyrighted 1968 by Radio Shack, A Tandy Corp, Co. Printed in U.S.A
Science FairTM
INSTRUCTION MANUAL PRICE: 50
₵
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PICTORIAL DIAGRAM RANDOM TOP VIEW
PARTS LIST
Quantity Description Identification Part No. Price
1 Diode D1 625-RGP10GE-E3 $0.50
1 Transistor (2N2222) Q1 512-PN2222ATF $0.20
1 Transformer T1 546-161C10 $6.93
5 .22 MFD 400V Poly Film Capacitor C1-C5 667-ECQ-E4224JF $0.77 ea
1 .22 MFD 250V Poly Film Capacitor C6 667-ECQ-E2224KF $0.44
1 .47 MFD 250V Poly Film Capacitor C7 667-ECQ-E2474KB $0.55
5 4.7 Meg Resistor R1-R5 660-CFS1/4CT52R475J $0.15 ea
1 10K Resistor R6 660-CFS1/4CT52R103J $0.15
1 15 Ohm Resistor R7 660-CFS1/4CT52R150J $0.17
5 NE2 Neon Lamp 606-A1A $0.28 ea
1 Battery Holder 12BH348-GR $1.28
2 Battery terminal block 534-8730 $0.31 ea
1 Project case 546-1591GS-BK $5.13
1 Perf Board 589-7100-45 $4.99
1 22 Ga Solid Hookup Wire, Black
All part numbers and prices listed above are from Mouser as of March, 2016.
RECOMMENDED PARTS SUPPLIER LIST
Joe Knows Electronics, www.joeknowselectronics.com
Mouser, www.mouser.com
Digikey, www.digikey.com
+
2 5 6
1 3 4
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
T1
D1
R6
C6
C7
R7
NE2-
1
NE2-
2
NE2-
3
NE2-
4
NE2-
5-
6V
Q1

STEP-BY-STEP WIRING AND ASSEMBLY DIRECTIONS
Be sure to carefully follow all the directions. Do one step at a time and then check off the step in the box provided.
Before beginning, read over the enclosed page labeled “Construction Hints”.
The step by step instructions indicate a soldering requirement; however, these connections can be made by firmly
twisting joining wires together. If the connection is secure the circuit will work for temporary or testing purposes. If
you wish a more permanent circuit, it is always best to secure these connections by soldering. Before soldering, read
the instructions in “Construction Hints”.
1. ( ) Check the parts list to see that everything listed
is included. Check each step as you progress ().
2. ( ) Place the pictorial diagram near the perfboard
chassis so that the pictorial can be used as a guide for
exact placement of parts. The gray lines in the pictorial
diagram indicate components and wires which are
mounted under the circuit board. The solid lines
indicate components and wires mounted on top of the
circuit board.
3. ( ) Mount the transformer T1, as shown in the
drawing above. Install the transformer in the location
indicated in pictorial diagram.
4. ( ) Remove all of the insulation from a 1-1/4” piece
of wire. Solder one end to transformer T1 Pin 4 and
then solder the other end to transformer T1 Pin 5.
5. ( ) Insert the negative (-) and positive (+) battery
terminals into the perfboard positions indicated in the
pictorial diagram. If the battery terminals are loose in
the perfboard, apply a small blob of solder to keep
them from falling out.
EBC
6. ( ) Mount transistor Q1 as shown in the pictorial
diagram and compare with the diagram above. Note
that the pictorial is a top view and that a reversal of
leads takes place when you turn the transistor over to
solder leads to other components on the board.
7. ( ) Strip all insulation from a 1-1/2” piece of wire.
Connect one end to the Collector (C) lead of transistor
Q1 and solder. Connect the other end to transformer
T1 Pin 3 and solder.
8. ( ) Insert the 15 Ohm resistor R7 into the perfboard
position indicated in the pictorial diagram. Connect one
lead to the negative (-) battery terminal and solder.
Connect the other end to the Emitter (E) lead of
transistor Q1 and solder.
9. ( ) Insert the 10K resistor R6 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to transformer T1
Pin 4 and solder. Connect the other end to the Base
(B) lead of transistor Q1 and solder.
10. ( ) Insert the .47 MFD capacitor C7 as shown in
the pictorial diagram. Connect each lead to 10K
resistor R6 as shown and solder.
11. ( ) Insert the .22 MFD capacitor C6 as shown in
the pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to transformer
T1 Pin 6 and solder. Connect the other lead to .47
MFD capacitor C7 as shown and solder.

12. ( ) Strip all insulation from a 2” piece of wire.
Connect one end to transformer T1 Pin 5 and solder.
Connect the other end to the positive (+) battery
terminal and solder.
13. ( ) Insert rectifier D1 as shown in the pictorial
diagram. Note the color band on the rectifier which
indicates the direction in which that the rectifier should
be installed. Attach the Anode of rectifier D1 to
transformer T1 Pin 2 and solder.
14. ( ) Insert 4.7 Meg resistor R1 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the Cathode
lead of rectifier D1 and solder.
15. ( ) Insert 4.7 Meg resistors R2 through R5 as
shown in the pictorial diagram.
16. ( ) Remove all insulation from a 3” piece of wire.
Connect to 4.7 Meg resistors R1 through R5 as shown
and solder each resistor lead to the wire.
All construction up to this point is identical for operation
either as a sequential blinker or a random blinker. If
you wish to have your unit operate as a random blinker,
follow the steps below. If you wish to have your unit
operate as a sequential blinker, follow the steps and
the diagram on page 5.
17a. ( ) Insert an NE2-1 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg resistor
R1.
18a. ( ) Insert an NE2-2 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg resistor
R2.
19a. ( ) Insert an NE2-3 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg resistor
R3.
20a. ( ) Insert an NE2-4 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg resistor
R4.
21a. ( ) Insert an NE2-5 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg resistor
R5.
22a. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C1 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the junction of
NE2-1 and R1 and solder.
23a. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C2 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the junction of
NE2-2 and R2 and solder.
24a. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C3 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the junction of
NE2-3 and R3 and solder.
25a. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C4 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the junction of
NE2-4 and R4 and solder.
26a. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C5 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to the junction of
NE2-5 and R5 and solder.
27a. ( ) Remove 2-1/2” insulation from one end of a 7-
1/4” piece of wire. Remove 2-1/2” insulation from the
other end of the wire.
28a. ( ) Insert the wire into the perfboard as shown in
the pictorial diagram. Connect one end to transformer
T1 Pin 1 and solder. Connect the other end to NE2-1
through NE2-5, and C1 through C5, and solder all
leads.
Note: Clip all extra wires at the soldered points.
You have completed all connections, both wiring and
soldering. Carefully double check the work against the
pictorial diagram.
CATHODE ANODE
COLOR BAND

PICTORIAL DIAGRAM SEQUENTIAL TOP VIEW
For sequential blinking follow steps 17b
through 28b below.
17b. ( ) Insert an NE2-1 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg
resistor R1 and solder.
18b. ( ) Insert an NE2-2 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg
resistor R2 and solder.
19b. ( ) Insert an NE2-3 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg
resistor R3 and solder.
20b. ( ) Insert an NE2-4 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg
resistor R4 and solder.
21b. ( ) Insert an NE2-5 neon lamps as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one lead to 2.7 Meg
resistor R5 and solder.
22b. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C1 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one end to NE2-3 and the
other end to NE2-5. Solder each connection.
23b. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C2 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one end to NE2-2 and the
other end to NE2-5. Solder each connection.
24b. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C3 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one end to NE2-2 and the
other end to NE2-4. Solder each connection.
25b. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C4 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one end to NE2-1 and the
other end to NE2-4. Solder each connection.
26b. ( ) Insert .22 MFD capacitor C5 as shown in the
pictorial diagram. Connect one end to NE2-1 and the
other end to NE2-3. Solder each connection.
27b. ( ) Remove 2-1/2” insulation from one end of a
7-1/4” piece of wire. Remove 2-1/2” insulation from
the other end of the wire.
28b. ( ) Insert the wire into the perfboard as shown
in the pictorial diagram. Connect one end to
transformer T1 Pin 1 and solder. Connect the other
end to NE2-1 through NE2-5, and C1 through C5, and
solder all leads.
+
2 5 6
1 3 4
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
T1
D1
R6
C6
C7
R7
-
6V
Q1
C1
C2
C4
C3
C5
NE2-
1
NE2-
2
NE2-
3
NE2-
4
NE2-
5

Note: Clip all extra wires at the soldered points.
You have completed all connections, both wiring and
soldering. Carefully double check the work against
the pictorial diagram.
OPERATION
Insert four “AA” batteries (Radio Shack No. 23-468
or equivalent) into the battery holder, observing plus (+)
and minus (-). Connect the red lead of the battery
holder to the plus (+) terminal, and the black lead of the
battery holder to the minus (-) terminal. The lights will
begin to blink. The sequential lights will change
direction if you disconnect and connect the battery. The
lights have other interesting effects. They seem to blink
faster in the absence of light. They seem to blink faster
of they are touched on the side with your finger. It is
possible to extend the leads of the neon lamps so that
they can be mounted through any type of cover you
might wish to construct. This unit will give you many
hours of entertainment and fun showing it to your friends
and family or just simply watching its random blinking as
people enjoy watching the random flickering of a fire.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM RANDOM
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM SEQUENTIAL