Learn soldering and circuits kits
2010-Apr-05, Monday 11:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chebeI've been learning to solder. Not out of thin air, I had learning aids.
The first is a Solder Practice Kit. As it says on the tin this is for practice. The top section of the board has nothing to do with the circuit, it's about getting you used to melting solder. I actually found it really helpful. In the end you have a circuit with two LEDs that blink alternatively every second, thanks to the timer chip. The manual could be more clearly written, and I strongly suspect that you don't need as many resistors, but overall I found this very useful.
The second is a set of low cost electronics set that seem to be part of an initiative to provide cheap electronics in schools. You can either get one of each (five in all) or individual circuits in packs of thirty. Whereas the previous kit was about soldering this one is more about understanding circuits. #1 is a simple LED that lights up when you push the button. #2 is #1 with a light-dependent resistor instead of a button. The LED gets brighter the more light is available. #3 is kinda cool, it's #1 with a capacitor. So you charge the circuit with the battery, take it away, then when you press the button the LED lights up. #4 introduces transistors and is like #2 except the LED gets brighter the less light there is. #5 is like #4 except it is an electronic latch with reset button. Like a burglar alarm, if the light falling on the LDR is interrupted the LED goes on, and stays on until you press the reset button. Different variations are discussed in the manual which are also kinda interesting.
The third is Drawdio. Mostly just for the fun of it, and to see what a finished product is like instead of pure learning exercises. The instructions provided on the website are extensive, and it was quick and easy to throw together (after having done the previous two kits). Basically conductive qualities of the pencil graphite and the copper foil is used to complete a circuit with your skin. Depending on the current a different tone is emitted. You can have fun making different warbles, check out their videos to see what I mean. Gotta admit though, I find the quality of the audio from the speaker awfully annoying. I wouldn't recommend giving this to kids if you have sensitive ears!
And added bonus? The solder that came with the first kit was enough to do all of them, and even have a tiny bit left over. So, now that all my circuits work successfully I guess I can claim to be able to solder. Not the prettiest work you've ever seen, but certainly functional. Onwards, and upwards.
The first is a Solder Practice Kit. As it says on the tin this is for practice. The top section of the board has nothing to do with the circuit, it's about getting you used to melting solder. I actually found it really helpful. In the end you have a circuit with two LEDs that blink alternatively every second, thanks to the timer chip. The manual could be more clearly written, and I strongly suspect that you don't need as many resistors, but overall I found this very useful.
The second is a set of low cost electronics set that seem to be part of an initiative to provide cheap electronics in schools. You can either get one of each (five in all) or individual circuits in packs of thirty. Whereas the previous kit was about soldering this one is more about understanding circuits. #1 is a simple LED that lights up when you push the button. #2 is #1 with a light-dependent resistor instead of a button. The LED gets brighter the more light is available. #3 is kinda cool, it's #1 with a capacitor. So you charge the circuit with the battery, take it away, then when you press the button the LED lights up. #4 introduces transistors and is like #2 except the LED gets brighter the less light there is. #5 is like #4 except it is an electronic latch with reset button. Like a burglar alarm, if the light falling on the LDR is interrupted the LED goes on, and stays on until you press the reset button. Different variations are discussed in the manual which are also kinda interesting.
The third is Drawdio. Mostly just for the fun of it, and to see what a finished product is like instead of pure learning exercises. The instructions provided on the website are extensive, and it was quick and easy to throw together (after having done the previous two kits). Basically conductive qualities of the pencil graphite and the copper foil is used to complete a circuit with your skin. Depending on the current a different tone is emitted. You can have fun making different warbles, check out their videos to see what I mean. Gotta admit though, I find the quality of the audio from the speaker awfully annoying. I wouldn't recommend giving this to kids if you have sensitive ears!
And added bonus? The solder that came with the first kit was enough to do all of them, and even have a tiny bit left over. So, now that all my circuits work successfully I guess I can claim to be able to solder. Not the prettiest work you've ever seen, but certainly functional. Onwards, and upwards.
