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Social Distancing Monitor with Alarm, Arduino NANO and I2C LCD1602 Display
In times of the Coronavirus-Crisis (Covid_19), it might be GOOD to respect the 2 meters distance to avoid getting infected!!! But not everybody can estimate distances, nor are ALL persons respecting the 2 meters rule!!! So came the idea to build an easy to realize gadget, which measures the distance and gives an alarm when the 2 meters are not respected.
First of all, like usual, I was searching the internet to find out if there isn’t already such a project around. And YES, there is one; I found a tutorial with an Arduino MEGA and a LCD1602 ISP with provided code as well. Please check below:
This tutorial gave me the idea to start. Instead an Arduino MEGA, I used an Arduino NANO; and instead of an LCD1602 ISP, I used an LCD1602 I2C.
Thus meaning: it needs a bit to adjust the code in the sketch in the above mentioned tutorial and it’s LESS cabling, wiring needed to connect the I2C LCD1602 display.
WE played around already with I2C LCD1602 in my tutorial below, please check:
All you need now is to put everything into a case. I was choosing a cardboard (recycling) 😉
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Social Distancing Monitor
Click image, please, to enlarge.
Social Distancing Monitor
Click image, please, to enlarge.
Social Distancing Monitor
Click image, please, to enlarge.
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Stay tuned for next blog post(s) 😉
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”.
CitiZEN-Science: WHAT is it and is it worth to follow?!!
[Begin Text Wikipedia]:
Citizen science (CS; also known as community science, crowd science, crowd-sourced science, civic science, volunteer monitoring, or online citizen science) is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur (or nonprofessional) scientists.[1] Citizen science is sometimes described as “public participation in scientific research,” participatory monitoring, and participatory action research whose outcomes are often advancements in scientific research, as well as an increase in the public’s understanding of science.[2][3] Based on Alexa rankings[4]iNaturalist is currently the most popular citizen science website[5] followed by eBird[6] and then Zooniverse[7] in second and third place respectively.
[End Text Wikipedia]
Find below a GREAT article, who explains very well:
[Begin Text SciStarter]:
As we face global challenges, we may want to find local ways to make a difference in protecting endangered species, safeguarding water sources, preventing disease, or accelerating medical research. Science needs more eyes, ears and perspectives than any scientist possesses. Enter citizen science: a collaboration between scientists and those of us who are just curious or concerned and motivated to make a difference. People just like you are collecting data by taking photos of clouds or streams, documenting changes in nature, using smartphone sensors to help scientists monitor water and air quality, or playing games to help advance health and medical research. A citizen science project can involve one person or millions of people collaborating towards a common goal. Typically, public involvement is in data collection, analysis, or reporting.
There are thousands of opportunities to participate in this movement that’s sweeping the globe! Find them on SciStarter.org .
[End Text SciStarter]:
Well, I don’want to say much more about this, apart that I back it up! I find it extremely interesting and it should get used in schools as it would certainly make students interested into Science.
As far as I know, it is ALSO used in a school in my country Luxembourg:
Key words necessary for me to create this blog post: CitiZEN-Science, STEM, MakerED, Maker-Spaces, PracTICE, LEARNing-By-Doing,
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure).
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
In one of my previous blog posts I used Arduino-UNO Starter Kit, which I ordered at Conrad (English version)and I wasn’t really impressed by the manual, it didn’t satisfy to my expectations and needs. SO, I was looking around to find some distributors for a BETTER version… At “Amazon US” I found Elegoo UNO Project Super Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino. First of all, the kit is delivered in a plastic box and its price is also attractive, $34.99.
The manual with the code, libraries and tutorials is on a DVD. So, I was looking first on the DVD and reading the Manual in PDF format to see the quality of the tutorials and the tutorials in PDF are very well documented. Once knowing WHAT is possible to do I made my choice for the “LCD-Tutorial“…
Below is the “Wiring diagram“, the How-To to connect the wires to make it work.
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As yo can see, it isn’t that much to do. Once the wiring ready, it is time to upload the code to the IDE and make it run to the success 😉 With the delivered code you will see the message “Hello World” on the LCD-Display.
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Here below the code where the message “Hello World” is in.
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SO, why not playing around a bit to understand the code and changing the text message in <===> lcd.print(“Hello, World!”); <===> into something different, something more personal!? That’s WHAT I did, here my code change:
lcd.begin(16, 2);
// Print a message to the LCD.
lcd.print(“Gust MEES – LCD”);
which shows up as, see image below please.
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The LCD-Display shows now my name as well (photo was taken when the counter was at 62) as my age, yes I am 62 years old (actually young, LOL); meaning that WHEN I can do this you for sure are able to do it! SO, WHAT are you waiting for to START learning about coding!!?
Reflecting for ideas:
SO, WHY not assembling everything into a box and use it as your personal “Door Name Display“, play around with some text and find out…
Ready, START, GO… Have fun by LEARNing-By-Doing 😉
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You may have a look on my other blog posts about Arduino below:
L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”.
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Stay tuned for next blog post(s) 😉.. .
Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post: Arduino Starterkit, Arduino UNO R3, Elegoo, quality kits, LCD, LCD Display, coding, Maker, MakerED, MakerSpaces, Electronics, Amazon US,
Light guided rotating and moving plastic container
In previous Maker tutorials WE were using LEDs and vibration motors, WE will continue with it and adding some NEW components: a transistor and a LDR (Light-Dependent Resistor). WE will use ALSO AGAIN a plastic container, this time a transparent one so that persons could see WHAT’S inside (for the curious ones) 😉 This will ALSO push the makers WHO are building this project to work neatly as everyone could see the quality of THEIR work!!
Thus said, let me tell YOU that I first tried to fix the battery holder and the switch with instant glue; it didn’t work well!!
Example with instant glue to fix the battery holder and the switch: BAD solution as the glue reacts with the plastic and makes a BAD looking, NOR are they real well fixed on the plastic!!
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BETTER solution is to fix (solder) the battery holder and the switch on a small part of stripboard and to make the connection to the main stripboard (where all the components are) through a flat cable. Therefore we need to drill some holes with a 1 mm drill exactly there where the pins of the switch and the battery holder are. Now measure the length of the stripboard and once the holes are drilled, place the switch and the battery holder and solder them on the stripboard.
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NEW components are used in this project as a transistor, an LDR and a trimmer (adjustable resistor)
WE are using a transistor is this project; a transistor is a semiconductor who basically works as a switch or an amplifier. WE will NOT GO to much into theory, YOU can discover more in the “Learn more section below”.
Light dependent resistor or photoresistor is a device whose resistance is dependent on the strength of the light as they are composed of high resistance semiconductor material. When light hits the device, the photons give electrons energy. Higher the power of light, lower the strength of resistance. This particular action makes the electron jump into the conductive band and thus conduct electricity. Taking a cue from this concept, Øyvind Nydal Dahl, in this tutorial, has dealt in a circuit for LDR or Light Dependent Resistor to make a light detector.
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The above LDR Circuit Diagram works on the amount of light penetration. Hence, when it is completely dark, the LDR occupies high resistance. As a result, the voltage at the base of the transistor becomes too low to turn the transistor ON. At this stage, the current doesn’t flow from the collector to the emitter of the transistor, instead, it passes through the LDR and the potentiometer.
When the light is provided at comparatively low density, the LDR has low resistance. But it is sufficient enough to bring the voltage at the base of the transistor higher and also to turn the transistor ON. Once the transistor is turned on, current starts flowing through it from the positive battery terminal to the negative battery terminal covering R1 and the LED (IN OUR CASE, through the vibration motor). With this, the LED, lights up (IN OUR CASE, the motors go on vibration). [END Text from http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/ldr-circuit-diagram/]
WE use the same schema as in above tutorial, BUT WE replace the LED by two (2) vibration motors. Check the schematics below, please.
I used the upper cup of a yogurt (0,89€) which is transparent and BTW is delicious 😉.
The tools needed
Check below please WHAT the tools are that you will need for this project. The small saw is needed to cut the stripboard.
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WE need also a mini drill to drill the wholes for the switch, the battery holder and the whole for adjusting the variable trimmer resistor.
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Details of the LED in the drinking straw
WE are using a multi color LED from ADAFRUIT (ID 680), a Diffused 5mm Fast Flashing RGB LED, which works with a voltage of 3 Volts; so we don’t need any resistor in series. To make a neatly connection we will use a flat cable and to avoid a shortcut we will fix our soldering with heat shrinking tube. Please follow the steps below.
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The LED will get soldered on the Plus and Minus of the second stripboard; it will flash permanently as far as the switch is on “ON position”.
Practical Tip: LEDs are transparent, so the Cathode (Minus) looks always a bit larger as the Anode (Plus).
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The MAIN stripboard with the components
Below YOU can see the work in progress.
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In above photo you can see the soldering on the stripboard as well as the fixing with hot glue on the bottom.
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Some adjustments are needed
Do YOU remember that WE drilled a hole just in the height of the axis of the trimmer (adjustable resistor)? Check photo below, please.
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For this WE will need a 1 mm screwdriver and a torch. I used a mini LED torch from CONRAD (Item no.: 868885-62 for 6,99€).
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How-To make the adjustments: put the light source in front of the LDR and trim with the 1 mm screwdriver until the motors are vibrating, if the motors are already vibrating trim back (turn the reverse direction…). This might take some time until you got it to the right point; the motors should only vibrate WHEN the light source is on!!
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The video of our project
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Check out this video, which explains very well how it works.
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
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Stay tuned for next blog post(s) 😉
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Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post: LDR, Light Depending resistor, resistors, vibrating motors, LEDs, transparent plastic container (yogurt), strip board, flat cable, drinking straw, drilling, adjustable resistor, trimmer, transistor, drilling, hot glue,
In OUR previous electronics projects WE were tinkering around with vibration motors and flashing LEDs, well we will continue on the same schema to get a bit more soldering practice and to discover ALSO the use of heat shrink tube, accumulators and drinking straws. This is ALSO a soldering exercise with some fun, and knowledge acquirement as usually in my tutorials. WE will learn also about accumulators, rechargeable batteries. Using accumulators instead of batteries will save us a lot of money and it is ALSO providing LESS RECYCLING! 😉 WE do something GOOD for the nature <===> Sustainability!!
OHM’s Law, resistors and LEDs
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As WE are using a 9 Volts accumulator (rechargeable battery) this time together with a LED, WE need to put a resistor in series to the LED to protect it.As
Practical Tip: LEDs are transparent, so the Cathode (Minus) looks always a bit larger as the Anode (Plus).
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When working with electronics WE need to learn a bit theory and mathematics, BUT DON’T worry, it is very easy! First of all which is mandatory, is the “OHM’s Law“. YOU DON’T need to calculate! 😉 There is an online calculatorwho will do the job for YOU! Click the image below please to access the online calculator and play a bit around with it to get used to it, have fun.
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Click the image please to access the online calculator
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Let us make OUR calculation for the resistor: WE have a power supply of 9 Volts and the used LED has a maximum of 3 Volts while its current is 20 mA (milli Ampere). Thus meaning: 9 Volts – 3 Volts is 6 Volts which need to get dropped away from the LED to NOT destroy it! SO, on the resistor 6 Volts need to get derived away from the LED. Let us NOW convert the 6 Volts to milli Volts which gives us 6,000 mV. AND as R = U/I <===> 6,000 divided by 20 is 300! The resistor MUST have a value of 300 Ω, next standard value is 330 Ω!
WHEN YOU use the above online calculator YOU SHOULD give the values in VOLT and in Ampere; or WE have 20 mA which is 0,020 A. Check the online calculator below please:
Check below please WHAT the tools are that you will need for this project. The small saw is needed to cut off the handle of the mini brush.
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Click image please to enlarge.
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Working with heat shrink tube
[START text from Wikipedia] Heat shrink tubing (or, commonly, heat shrink or heatshrink) is a shrinkable plastic tube used to insulate wires, providing abrasion resistance and environmental protection for stranded and solid wire conductors, connections, joints and terminals in electrical work. It can also be used to repair the insulation on wires or to bundle them together, to protect wires or small parts from minor abrasion, and to create cable entry seals, offering environmental sealing protection. Heat shrink tubing is ordinarily made of nylon or polyolefin, which shrinks radially (but not longitudinally) when heated, to between one-half and one-sixth of its diameter. [END text from Wikipedia]
Watch the video below please to see the How-To to work with heat shrink tube.
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Optimizing the design
I first started to make a normal cabling and the mess I saw didn’t make me feel proud and comfortable, there was something embarrassing! I looked around on my working bench and I discovered some drinking straws which I bought (can’t remember for what, bought them as I was feeling to do so…). I took one and was plying it and suddenly the idea was there to hide the cables inside and WHY NOT to incorporate a super bright LED: the idea was born 😉
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The video of our project
Check the video below please:
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Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post:instant glue, hot glue, 9 Volts Mini-Motor, resistors in series for LEDs, LED, switch, schematics, drinking straws, unbalance, hexagonal nut, hiding cables in drinking straw (Design Thinking), creativity, accumulators and batteries (difference), …
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
In last blog post (tutorial) WE were practicing OUR soldering by creating “JOHNNY the ski-man“, a bit “Electronics-Art” using electronics components. In the video below, which I created with the FREEWARE <===> Windows Movie Maker <===> WE see ALSO “The Mini BUG Robot” who gives “JOHNNY” a ride. It is very easy to build that mini robot as there are ONLY six (6) components to solder.
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The schematics
Let us first have a look on the schematics where WE will discover some NEW stuff, a mini motor; in this case it is an “vibration motor” which is used in smartphones. THEY exist as round, rectangular and in disk format, please check <===>Vibration Motor Images<===> in Google searches (images).
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As you can see there is NOTHING special; we just put four (4) elements (2 LEDS, a vibration motor and a tantalum capacitor) in parallel. And we have a switch to switch on/off our circuit. As battery we use a “CR2032“.
Check below please to find out about the electronic components.
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Click image please to enlarge.
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Detailed parts list, supplier and prices
Please find below the detailed parts list as well as the supplier and the prices.
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Item and quantity
Supplier and order number
Price
1 x Stripboard
CONRAD: 529531
2,19€
Silver wire 1 mm / 14 m <===> +/- 30 cm needed
CONRAD: 607657
0,40€
1 x Tantalum capacitor 47 uF/16V
CONRAD: 481777
2,99€
1 x Switch
CONRAD: 1377837
2,19€
1 x Button cell holder
CONRAD: 650546
1,29€
1 x Vibration motor from old smartphone
2 x 3mm LEDs red
CONRAD: 759472 à 0,20€
0,40€
1 x Cell CR2032
CONRAD: 651088
4,19€
Total:
13,65€
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As you can see it is a very cheap project, ONLY 13,65€ and easy to realize! ALL what YOU need is a bit time, passion and here we GO! 😉 Have FUN!
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The tools needed
Check below please WHAT the tools are that you will need for this project. The small saw is needed to cut out a small piece of 55 x 45 mm from the stripboard.
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Click image please to enlarge.
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The soldering
Click image please to enlarge.
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Feel FREE to make the wiring and connections as YOU want by following the schematics; on left-hand side you will see how I did it. Fix the vibration motor with a bit hot glue onto the stripboard as well (components side).
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Concerning the legs of the “Mini BUG Robot”: Cut 2 pieces of 9 mm off from silver wire and bend them both sides at +/- 3,5 cm, see PIC please, and solder them onto the stripboard.
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Very important
In OUR above project we are using two (2) 3 mm red LEDs in parallel. It DOESN’T work when YOU take two different colors, I tried it out 😉 WHY!??? Please check links below:
L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
Maker-First Steps in Electronics-Soldering Learning
When WE start with electronics on the beginning we can work with so-called “Breadboards“(see photo below please), but soon or later soldering will become a MUST and an habit! SO, the BEST WE can do is to GET some PracTICE with soldering; in this tutorial we will make a bit “Electronics-Art“. WE will use already known electronic components such as resistors, stripboard parts (we will need to saw and rasp…), a LED and an IC (Integrated Circuit), a NEW component. OUR project will ONLY serve as soldering PracTICE as there will be NO function of the electronic used, SO the IC could be ALSO a damaged one (useful recycling) 😉
Please click image to access the article for more information.
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As YOU might have seen in the image of “JOHNNY the ski-man“, some resistors are BIGGER then others! WHY and what is its meaning!? Well, WE have to go back to “OHM’s Law“, as BIGGER resistors in size are, as MORE POWER they can dissipate; I used 1/2 Watt and 1 Watt resistors. Please check below.
Six (6) resistors of 1/2 Watt, two (2) resistors of 1 Watt, one (1) IC (14 or 16 pins), one (1) LED, two (2) diodes (1N4007), some colored rigid wire for the scarf, 1 mm² rigid copper cable wire and 1 mm silver wire.
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Tools needed.
Click image please to enlarge.
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The following tools are required:
Vise, rasp, solder iron and solder wire, electronic cutter, electronic flat-nosed pliers, small handsaw and don’t forget the vacuum cleaner for cleaning up the working place later, please 😉
WE will start with the hardest part of the job, the skis. The skis are made of a small part of a stripboard which has to be sawn; we count four (4) holes and saw along the strips there, see pic. The length would be about 5 cm ( +/- 2 inches).
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Click image please to enlarge.
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Once the two (2) pieces of the stripboard sawn they must get rasped to look smooth. See pic please.
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Click image please to enlarge.
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As the stripboard pieces are rectangular on the edges they must get rounded as well with the rasp, see pic details please.
Solder together now the three rows on the top of the stripboard as shown in image, this will give a bit weight to keep the balance once the other electronic components are soldered.
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The soldering
Click image please to enlarge.
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SO, the hardest job is done now! UP to solder the electronic components, but where to start!? Start first with the soldering of the diode (1N4007) on both skis, followed by soldering the small resistors, check pic please.
SO, that’s it folks! Wishing YOU some fun with this project and hopefully you will get more interested about electronics 😉 Check the video below please to see OUR STAR in action… BTW: The “Mini BUG Robot” present in the video will get proposed ALSO in another tutorial…
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
Building a Variable Power Supply With Few Components
Click the image please to enlarge
In previous tutorial Maker-First Steps in Electronics, the basicsWE got a bit the PracTICE of soldering and WE learned ALSO about schematics, resistors, LEDs, diodes and OHM’s Law. WE used ALSO a 9 Volt battery as a power supply for our projects; BUT batteries are expensive (3,99 €) and when playing around a lot on experimenting WE would use a lot of them. This will certainly be the case as on the beginning while tinkering around, my personal experience, as one is curios and tries out everything. Which is good by the way, but better is to build a variable power supply for few money and for small projects like WE are working on.
SO, let us have a look on the schematic about WHAT WE will create next. WE will discover some NEW components, such as a voltage regulator integrated circuit (IC), a variable resistor (potentiometer), capacitors, electrolytic capacitors… which WE will learn more about as well in this tutorial.
WE had already the experience with a stripboard, which we will continue (on the beginning) to build our variable power supply. It will be a very easy one with ONLY 10 components to solder on the stripboard. The tension will be adjustable by a potentiometer (variable resistor) from 0-24 Volts and a maximum current of 1 Ampere. WE will ALSO provide it with a switch so that we can ALSO use it as a Volt-Meter to measure the tensions on our strip-board projects…
WE will ALSO learn to drill and to rasp as WE will enclose our project into an enclosure; well mechanics are part as well when one tinkers with electronics 😉
WE will solder measure points on the strip-board as well. so we can learn about measuring and to understand what is going on when AC gets through a rectifier bridge and becomes DC…
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Schematics
Electronic Schematics – Need-To-Know
BEST explication I have found and WHICH I agree!!! Electronic schematics are like recipes for electronics. They tell you what ingredients to use and how to mix the ingredients. But instead of using text to explain the recipe, a drawing is used.
Please check below the photo to get familiarized with the parts.
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In above image WE see parts which we used already in first tutorial <===> Electronics Starter Kit for Makers <===> such as resistors, diodes and the stripbord. NEW components are (please check the links below to learn more):
This time WE will ALSO need to use some tools and mechanical parts; well electronics without mechanics doesn’t exist 😉 Will get explained in a new tutorial…
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List of online Electronics shops (mostly for Europe, but some are delivering ALSO global):
Please find below the detailed parts list as well as the supplier and the prices.
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Item and quantity
Supplier and order number
Price
1 x Transformer 230V/1A
CONRAD: 710422
15,99€
1 x Bridge rectifier B40/C7000-4000
CONRAD: 501980
4,49€
2 x Electrolyte capacitor 1000uF/63V
CONRAD: 1472875 à 1,49€
2,98€
1 x Diode 1N4007
CONRAD: 1262766
0,22€
1 x Resistor 100 Ω
CONRAD: 405132
0,10€
1 x Potentiometer 4K7 Ω
CONRAD: 440778
1,99€
1 x Knob for potentiometer
CONRAD: 715840
1,09€
1 x LM317T
CONRAD: 176001
0,34€
1 x Capacitor MKS2-1uF/63V
CONRAD: 455318
1,49€
1 x Panel-Meter
CONRAD: 101950
35,99€
1 Heatsink for LM317T
CONRAD: 183870
1,03€
1 x Mounting-Kit TO220
CONRAD: 155140
0,72€
1 x Stripboard
CONRAD: 529531
2,19€
2 x PCB Connector 2 pins
CONRAD: 1192188 à 0,28€
0,56€
Total:
69,18€
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Check out this video tutorial to understand
A GREAT video tutorial to watch for understanding about the used “Voltage Regulator Chip LM317T“:
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First tests without the transformer
I propose to make the first test(s) without the transformer; by using a 9 Volts battery! This to make sure that there isn’t any mistake on the wiring as a short-circuit could cause damage!! Check photo below please:
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Click image please to enlarge
Using a copy of the schematics and a pen to erase the done connections already; this allows to keep an eye on how far one is…
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Safety FIRST as WE are working with 230 Volts!!
I will propose two different projects, one for NEWBIES and one for advanced users! NEWBIES will NOT solder the transformer on the stripboard, BUT will connect it to the stripboard by <===> Safety FIRST rules <===> and advanced users could solder it on the stripboard by respecting these Safety rules! WE will use ALSO heat-shrinking tubes to insulate ALL the components where 230 Volts is connectedto assume that nobody could touch them to avoid electrical shock by touching!!!
I am NOT the guy WHO follows any rules, BUT THESE ONE I follow myself ALSO as it is mandatory!! YOUR life and/or the life of OTHERS could be in danger if NOT followed!!! SO, take YOUR responsibility, please 😉 Well, enough blabla, let us have a look WHY:
Let us protect and ALSO our workbench with a plastic underground (plastic is insulating…), check below please:
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Click above image please to enlarge it.
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Two different projects, one for NEWBIES and one for advanced users: thus meaning; NEWBIES will NOT solder the transformer on the stripboard, BUT fixing and connecting it apart! Advanced users will be able to solder the transformer on the stripboard by taking care of safety rules, check above image please for connected transformer on the stripboard and image below please for transformer connected with wires to the stripboard .
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Building UP from the beginning a system for wiring
WE have two different possibilities for the wiring and connection of the components on the stripboard:
Using really wiring with colored insulated wires
Using ONLY the copper strips on the stripboard to make the connections
OR using both as I did in above; one red colored wire was used to make a connection…
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WHEN WE use the wiring with colored insulated wires, we need to have a system in it, let us define UP from the beginning which colors mean WHAT! I propose this:
Red for the “PLUS” of DC Power Supply
Blue for the “Minus” (Ground) of DC Power Supply
Green for the connections of AC
White or blank silver wire for bridges on the stripboard: connections from one component to the other…
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List of free electronics circuit simulators
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Click image please to access the video
Nowadays WE have the chance to profit from FREE Simulator software to examine the How-To circuits work, please find below some useful links:
Well, first build the above and finish it! Later WE will bring in ALSO some test points (soldering them on the stripboard) for measuring the voltage on different points and we will solder as well on the stripboard some more components to protect out project against short circuits, an electronic fuse with ONLY five (5) components. WE, once finished the above mentioned will then go for mechanical works as the whole will get fit into an enclosure. There will be then a bit drilling, rasping and…
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Some electronics projects made +/- 25-30 years ago, check video below please 😉 I stopped tinkering around for the peace of our conjugal life, well wife was right! I had to much hobbies; NOW I am retired and I have too much time, SO I started again…
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Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post: Learning about alternative current (AC), Direct current (DC), Zenerdiodes, Voltage regulators, 7809, LM317T, Panelmeter, Digital Voltmeter, testing, measuring, test points, potentiometer, variable resistors, capacitors, electrolytic capacitors, LCD Display…
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
I propose to work with system when WE use strip-boards; thus meaning: preparing them ALL the same way. Any electronics project will need a power supply, so WE will start with the power supply which will mostly be a 9 Volt battery. WE will use the outside strips to connect them to plus and minus and WE will ALSO provide a diode (1N4007) to protect against polarity reversal. As a newbie in electronics this might be the best way to protect you to destroy the electronic parts if + and – would get reversed 😉 With normal rectifier diodes the power supply voltage will typically drop by 0.8 volts. WE will have then ONLY 8.2 Volts which is enough in most cases.
WE will solder also a PCB-Connector (Printed Circuit Board Connector) where we can feed the strip-board with the power supply.
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SO, as WE will solder a bit, it will be also a soldering training before we start on more serious projects later 😉
Check below please how the finished project will look, which we will discuss in detail on the How-To. WE use a 100 mm x 75 mm strip-board (CONRAD 529531 – 62 for 2,19€).
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Necessary material
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In above image I used a 2 pin screw terminal from CONRAD (1192188 – 62) for 0,28€ and for the wire I choose from a “Wire Kit from Velleman” (60 m from different colors).
full core, 0.2mm²
colours: 5 metres : white / blue / brown / green / yellow / orange / grey / violet + 10 metres : black / red
external diameter: 1.4 mm
max. voltage: 60 V
max. current: 4.3 A
PVC insulation
tinned CU
AWG24
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To make sure to have proper bent edges; I suggest to bend the diode (1N4007) over the left-hand side shown “Wire Bender” (CONRAD 425869 – 62 at 3,29€).
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First start to solder the 2 pin screw terminal in the middle of the strip-board, followed by the diode (1N4007). Now measure the distance and cut the wires. For the red wire (Plus) it will be 4 cm (3 cm distance), the blue wire (Minus) will be 6 cm (5 cm distance). Take the electronics cutter and strip off o,5 cm of the insulation at each end and bend it. Put it into the holes in the strip-board and solder it. P.S.: WE will use the red wire for the Plus (+) and the blue wire for the Minus (-) of the power supply; that are internationally conventions in electronics. Sometimes for the Minus (-) is also used the black color (see 9 Volt battery clip).
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Solder the wires and cut off the stick out wire close to the soldering with the electronics cutter.
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Strip-board solder side
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Click the above image please to enlarge it
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Cutting off stick out wire
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Click the above image please to enlarge it
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Disconnect the upper strips from the lower
strips by breaking the copper with
a 4,5 mm HSS drill
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Click the above image please to enlarge it
Selfmade stripboard cutter
with a grill handle
and an 4.5 mm HSS drill
Click image please to enlarge
When WE want to start with electronics there is a little bit theory to learn as well; in electronics there are special symbols who get used in schematics. Any component (even a battery) has its own symbol. In the following tutorials and projects, WE will learn by easy step-by-step WHAT they are and HOW to make OUR PracTICE (to GET used to it…) with them. I am certainly NOT a friend of learning by heart, BUT symbols need to get learned that way to understand schematics of electronics!
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Symbols used in this tutorial: battery, resistors, LEDs and diodes…
Here below a small description about the How-To to work with strip-boards in general:
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After viewing the above tutorial YOU will understand. The above tutorial uses the FREE software “Fritzing” which WE will use as well in the next blog posts; you can download it here:
Here the wiring and soldering on the strip-board, as well as the parts list:
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As You have remarked, I added ALSO a resistor and a LED (Light-Emitting Diode); the red (could also bee a green one) LED is lightning when the power supply (9 Volt battery) is connected. SO, YOU might solder the two components (330 Ohm resistor and LED) as well, not mandatory BUT it will give YOU a bit more training on soldering and alerts YOU to NOT solder when it is on!! NEVER work on whatever project with connected (switched on) power supply <===> Safety first!
WHY has the resistor a value of 330 Ohm?
In above example we used a 5 mm red LED with this characteristics: 2.25 Volt and 20 mA current (that’s the maximum values which DON’T have to become higher otherwise the LED will get destroyed) and as power supply we use a 9 Volts battery. WE will use the “Online Calculator” to calculate the value of the resistor. First let us do some mental calculation, there WE DON’T need any calculator. WE have a 9 Volts battery and the LED will have maximum 2.25 Volts, so “9 V – 2.25 V = 6.75 V” which needs to get taken away from the LED to avoid destruction.
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THAT value of 337.5 Ohms doesn’t exist! Resistors are manufactured by following <===> In 1952 the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) decided to define the resistance and tolerance values into a norm, to ease the mass manufacturing of resistors. These are referred to as preferred values or E-series, and they are published in standard IEC 60063:1963. These standard values are also valid for other components like capacitors, inductors and Zener diodes. The preferred values for resistors were established in 1952, but the concept of the geometric series was already introduced by army engineer Renard in the 1870s.
By checking the below link, WE will see that the closest value is 330 Ohm. BTW: The symbol for “Ohm” is “Ω“; SO, we write 330 Ω. Tip: You find it in the “Special Characters” in any editing software.
In the above website is a video integrated which explains very well about the How-To of that norm, give it a try.
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MY experience described in ONLY some phrases: Give the LEARNers, students (whatever age) the freedom of LEARNing without squeezing THEM into a FRAME and concentrate on guiding them as a coach by analyzing THEIR behavior and show them the How-To to become self-directed learners, autodidacts. SHOW THEM ALSO up from the beginning WHAT THE <===> LEARNing Path <===> will be with design of it and explain THEM that they could design themselves it with a short introduction on the How-To. THEY will learn the ICT-PracTICE which will help them once out of the <===> #SchoolCocoon <===> to be ready for Life-Long LEARNing and to be able to adapt very quickly in the workforce! WHEN YOU show the LEARNers, students <===> WHAT the profit is for THEIR private life <===> YOU will engage them very quickly 😉 AND DON’T teach THEM more as necessary, propose them some links to go further ONLY for those who want!!
Check ALSO (Up from 11 years old, give THEM THE confidence THEY need to grow):
WHAT’S my message and WHY did I create this blog post!?
Well, I will encourage all youth and also adults, seniors, oldies to become <===>Life-Long LEARNers <===> and staying Up-To-Date with their knowledge, especially concerning their skills in ICT, called NOW <===> #eSkills <===>! In the modern world YOU will change YOUR job probably +/- 12 times in YOUR working career, it is very rare to stay life-long in the same job and/or same company!!! SO… The workforce is looking for people with ICT skills which YOU mostly didn’t learn at school, right!?
Bring in YOUR kids to such creative makerplaces WHERE THEY can develop (and perhaps parents as well…) THEIR creativity and GET interested in something WHICH could boost THEIR interest into ICT in their future 😉
YOU won’t have (mostly) the time to learn by visiting courses, right!? START to become Life-Long LEARNers by LEARNing on YOUR OWN pace, by becoming <===> Autodidacts <===> Self-Directed LEARNers. YOU are able to, I did it, so can YOU!? 😉
I found a job because of my ICT eSkills and I am STILL LEARNing on a daily base routine for being Up-To Date with my <===> Professional Development <===>, even being retired NOW! THE pleasure of LEARNing!
I did THE <===> ICT PracTICE <===> and THAT’S WHAT the workforce needs!!!
Due to my eSkills I could share my knowledge AND expertise ALSO with the below mentioned as well as to a broad range of visitors from around the globe!
Practical Tip: LEDs are transparent, so the Cathode (Minus) looks always a bit larger as the Anode (Plus).
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When working with electronics WE need to learn a bit theory and mathematics, BUT DON’T worry, it is very easy! First of all which is mandatory, is the “OHM’s Law“. YOU DON’T need to calculate! 😉 There is an online calculatorwho will do the job for YOU! Click the image below please to access the online calculator and play a bit around with it to get used to it, have fun.
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Click the image please to access the online calculator
Here below the schematics where YOU will see how the components are represented; YOU will remark that ANY component gets represented with its part number as well, apart from the battery.
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LED’s explained in German in a Video Tutorial
Please check the video tutorial below, in Deutsch:
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Print out this sheet for YOUR PracTICE
Here below THE sheet for PracTICE, ALL the necessary stuff is on it to make sure that the project will be successful. Print it out please and give it to YOUR learners, as well for YOU 😉
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Have FUN and stay tuned for the next tutorials about electronics 😉
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L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure). L’auteur était aussi gagnant d’un concours en électronique en 1979 ( Pays germaniques ) et voyait son projet publié dans le magazine électronique “ELO”.
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”).
Electronics Starter Kit for Makers: What is the minimum equipment?
What is the minimum equipment and what are the costs? That’s certainly the first question you will ask. Let us have a look: in electronics we need to solder the components, a solder iron is required with its accessories. Please check below to find out in detail.
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Soldering station
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Soldering iron kit
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14,99 €
CONRAD: 588332-62
Solder Wire
9,99 €
CONRAD: 812811-62
Desoldering pump
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7,99 €
CONRAD: 588257-62
Stripboard
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2,19 €
CONRAD: 529531-62
Selfmade Stripboard Cutter
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Click image please to enlarge
Helping hand with magnifying glass
8,99 €
CONRAD: 588221-62
Wire bender for components
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3,29 €
CONRAD: 425869 – 62
Electronics pliers set
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19,99 €
CONRAD: 822910 – 62
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Concerning the soldering iron, you have two choices: buying a normal 30 Watt soldering iron as a kit or a soldering station which is about 170 €. Up to your budget what you will buy.
Concerning the stripboard: this is ideal for prototyping of new projects.
Resistors have a color-code; you may buy as well for 1,99 € a help to learn to find the value of the resistors as long as you don’t know by heart the how to to know.
As we know now what is the equipment required we need also to find out from where we can get it. Well, we can find out if there is a local electronics store and/or buying it online.
Find below, please, addresses of online electronics stores:
Conrad International (from where I order my stuff…) delivers to 210 countries worldwide
Soldering is no magic, there are only some rules to follow to get a perfect soldering which are not difficult at all. You can find a great guide below, please read it.
I would advice you to start with electronic kits as they are delivered with a guide who provides easy to follow steps. Please find below some good addresses from where you can buy them:
Protect YOUR health: Hazardous solder fumes are harmful to your health!! SO, make sure to NOT put your nose over the soldering and to breath, please! NOR to have drinks on the working place and to drink during the soldering where the soldering takes place!! Be VERY carefully ALSO about on How-To handle the soldering iron; it heats up to 150°C-450°C (30 Watt / 80 Watt)!! NEVER touch the soldering iron underneath the insulating part (on the metal) as it may be ignited and you may have severe burns!!!
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With WHATEVER tools YOU work, keep THIS in mind, please <===> Safety first!!!
I am trying to give You the THINKing behind a project (Which EVER one…) LEARNing-By-Doing, should GET done with Students, LEARNers THAT way; let THEM try out till THEY find the appropriate solution. Let THEM create a blog post about it where THEY can report about THEIR adventures and HOW THEY solved the problem for BEST… Of course with photos and with the written experience; #CriticalTHINKing and #ProactiveTHINKing will emerge As well as #PracTICE of course…
As a Coach You observe and guide THEM with “Couldn’t THERE be ANOTHER way to realize it?”; Make THEM curios about to challenge THEMSELVES for BETTER
Have FUN!
Look at following keywords to find out about what you should think about and what this sort of creation will result in.
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Keywords: creativity, motivation, self-learning, autodidact, critical thinking, proactive thinking (learning from fails for the future…), engaging, competences, PracTICE skills, learning-By-Doing, learning to learn, problem solving , organization skills, team work, coaching, fun, gift from kids to parents for Xmas, feeling proud about having created something itself, self-esteem…
L’auteur Gust MEES est Formateur andragogique / pédagogique TIC, membre du “Comité Conseil” de “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), appelé maintenant BEESECURE, partenaire officiel (consultant) du Ministère de l’éducation au Luxembourg du projet ”MySecureIT“, partenaire officiel du Ministère du Commerce au Luxembourg du projet ”CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness andSecurityEnhancementStructure).
The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure).
Check my #curation to find best articles, blogs and courses about #education #itsecurity #CyberSecurity #EdCollCoach #GlobalEDU #cyberbullying, #AR #RA #augmentedreality #health #science #QR #qrcodes in EN, FR, DE…
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MY experience described in ONLY some phrases: Give the 
14,99 €
Protect YOUR health: Hazardous solder fumes are harmful to your health!! SO, make sure to NOT put your nose over the soldering and to breath, please! NOR to have drinks on the working place and to drink during the soldering where the soldering takes place!! Be VERY carefully ALSO about on How-To handle the soldering iron; it heats up to 150°C-450°C (30 Watt / 80 Watt)!! NEVER touch the soldering iron underneath the insulating part (on the metal) as it may be ignited and you may have severe burns!!!
As well as #PracTICE of course…
EDU: Digital CitiZENship, CyberSecurity, eSkills, Modern EDU by Gust MEES 