Snap Circuits SC3Di Owner's manual

®

any means; electronic, photocopying, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. U.S. Patents: 7,144,255; 7,273,377, & patents pending

Project 18

-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.

5. For circuits using mirrors and the phototransistor (Q4), if the

alarm is always activated then it could be getting triggered by

other lights in the room; try turning them off or moving to a

different room.

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 8 to determine which

ones need replacing.

Basic Troubleshooting 1

Parts List 2, 3

How to Use Snap Circuits

®

4, 5

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts 6, 7

Introduction to Electricity 8

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits 9

Advanced Troubleshooting 10

Project Listings 11, 12

Projects 1 - 159 13-84

Going Further 85

Other Snap Circuits

®

Products 86

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).

-2-

Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free (800) 533-2441 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 #

r 3

1-Snap Wire 6SC01

r 4

Base Grid Mini

(7.7” x 5.5”)

6SCBGM

r 6

2-Snap Wire 6SC02

r 4

Base Grid Support 6SCBGSUP

r 3

3-Snap Wire 6SC03

r 1

White LED 6SCD6

r 1

4-Snap Wire 6SC04

r 1

Color LED 6SCD8

r 1

5-Snap Wire 6SC05

r 1

Q4 Attachment 6SCFMB

r 1

6-Snap Wire 6SC06

r 1

3D Color Glasses 6SCG3DC

r 1

Battery Holder - uses

three (3) 1.5V type

“AA” (not Included)

6SCB3

r 1

Jumper Wire (Black) 6SCJ1

r 1

Base Grid

(11.0” x 7.7”)

6SCBG

r 1

Jumper Wire (Red) 6SCJ2

5

4

3

2

1

B3

D8

D6

6

-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 (800) 533-2441 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 #

r 2

Jumper Wire (Blue) 6SCJ4

r 1

Resistor 5.1K Ohms 6SCR3

r 1

Lined Lens LED

Attachment

6SCLLENS

r 1

Slide Switch 6SCS1

r 2

Mirror

(2.0” x 2.0” or similar)

6SCMIRROR

r 1

Press Switch 6SCS2

r 2

Mirror Mounting Base 6SCMBASE

r 6

Stabilizer 6SCSTAB

r 2

Spring for Mirror

Mounting Base

6SCMSPRG

r 1

Light Tunnel 6SCU30

r 1

Projector LED

Attachment

6SCPROJ

r 6

Vertical Snap Wire 6SCV1

r 1

NPN Transistor 6SCQ2

r 1

Horn 6SCW1

r 1

Phototransistor 6SCQ4

You may order additional / replacement

parts at our website: www.snapcircuits.net

Q2

V1

Q4

W1

U30

S2

S1

R3

-4-

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).

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. For

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.

2

3

4

6

How to Use SnapCircuits

®

B3

S1

5

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.

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.

The mirror assembly consists of three parts:

the mirror, the mirror mounting base, and the

spring (sometimes the spring is not used).

Begin by connecting the spring to the mirror

mounting base. To achieve this, you need to

line up the large end of the spring with the post

on the bottom of the mounting base. Then, with

the mounting base in one hand and the spring

in the other, push the two pieces together while

turning the mounting base counter-clockwise

and the spring clockwise until it is fully seated

(see figure below).

When the time comes to remove the spring,

simply twist the spring clockwise while pulling

it away from the mounting base.

Next, remove the protective backing off both

sides of the mirror and align it with the groove

on top of the mirror mounting base. Press the

two parts together until the mirror is fully

seated and centered on the mounting base.

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/sc3di

for interactive 3D pictures to help with

building the 3D circuits.

-6-

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts

(Part designs are subject to change without

notice).

BASE GRID

BATTERY HOLDER

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.

SNAP WIRES, VERTICALSNAP

WIRES, & JUMPER WIRES

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.

Battery Holder (B3)

Slide &Press

Switches

(S1 & S2)

SLIDE&PRESS SWITCHES

The slide & press switches (S1 &S2) connect

(pressed or “ON”) or disconnect (not pressed or

“OFF”) 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 blue snap

wires are wires

used to connect

components. 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) 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 con-

nections 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 horn (W1) converts electricity into sound by

making mechanical vibrations. These vibrations

create variations in air pressure, which travel

across the room. You “hear” sound when your

ears feel these air pressure

variations.

HORN

Horn (W1)

-7-

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts

TRANSISTORS

The NPN transistor (Q2) is a component that

uses a small electric current to control a large

current, and are used in switching, amplifier, and

buffering applications. Transistors are easy to

miniaturize, and are the main building blocks of

integrated circuits including the microprocessor

and memory circuits in computers.

NPNTransistor (Q2)

LIGHTTUNNEL

The light tunnel (U30) contains 3 red, 3 green,

and 3 blue LEDs, arrayed with mirroring effects.

● When voltage is applied across the (+) and R

(or RED) snaps, the red LEDs light.

● When voltage is applied across the (+) and G

(or GRN) snaps, the green LEDs light.

● When voltage is applied across the (+) and B

(or BLU) snaps, the blue LEDs light.

● When voltage is applied across the (+) and (−)

snaps, circuitry in it lights the LEDs in a

changing pattern.

Light Tunnel (U30)

LEDs

(D6 &D8)

The white and color LEDs (D6 & D8) 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 color

LED contains red, green, and blue LEDs, with a

micro-circuit controlling then. 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 phototransistor (Q4) is a transistor that

uses light to control electric current.

Phototransistor (Q4)

RESISTORS

5.1kW Resistor (R3)

Resistors “resist” the flow of electricity and are

used to control or limit the current in a circuit. This

set includes a 5.1kW resistor (R3) (“k”

symbolizes 1,000, so R3 is really 5,100W).

Materials like metal have very low resistance

(<1W), while materials like paper, plastic, and air

have near-infinite resistance. Increasing circuit

resistance reduces the flow of electricity.

-8-

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

-9-

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits

Placing a 3-snap wire directly

across the batteries is a

SHORT CIRCUIT.

This is also a

SHORT CIRCUIT.

When the slide switch (S1) is turned on, this large circuit has a SHORT

CIRCUIT path (as shown by the arrows). The short circuit prevents any

other portions of the circuit from ever working.

!

NEVER

DO!

NEVER

DO!

NEVER

DO!

!

NEVER

DO!

!

You are encouraged to tell us about new programs and circuits you create.

If they are unique, we will post them with your name and state on our

website at: www.snapcircuits.net/learning_center/kids_creation.

Send your suggestions to ELENCO

®

: [email protected].

ELENCO

®

provides a circuit designer so that you can make your own Snap

Circuits

®

drawings. This Microsoft

®

Word document can be downloaded

from: www.snapcircuits.net/learning_center/kids_creation or through

the www.snapcircuits.net website.

Warning to Snap Circuits

®

owners: Do not connect

additional voltage sources from other sets, or you may

damage your parts. Contact ELENCO

®

if you have questions

or need guidance.

!

Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS - NEVER DO THESE!!!

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect Snap Circuits

®

to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!

After building the circuits given in this booklet, you may wish to experiment on

your own. Use the projects in this booklet as a guide, as many important design

concepts are introduced throughout them. Every circuit will include a power

source (the batteries), a resistance (which might be a resistor, horn, LED (which

has an internal protection resistor), light tunnel, etc.), and wiring paths between

them and back. You must be careful not to create “short circuits” (very low-

resistance paths across the batteries, see examples below) as this will damage

components and/or quickly drain your batteries. Only connect the light tunnel

(U30) using configurations given in the projects, incorrectly doing so may damage

it. Elenco

®

is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.

Here are some important guidelines:

ALWAYS

USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN EXPERIMENTING ON YOUR OWN.

ALWAYS

include at least one component that will limit the current through a

circuit, such as a resistor, horn, an LED (which has an internal

protection resistor), light tunnel (which must be connected properly).

ALWAYS use switches in conjunction with other components that will limit

the current through them. Failure to do so will create a short circuit

and/or damage those parts.

ALWAYS disconnect your batteries immediately and check your wiring if

something appears to be getting hot.

ALWAYS check your wiring before turning on a circuit.

ALWAYS

connect the light tunnel (U30) using configurations given in the

projects or as per the connection descriptions for the parts.

NEVER connect to an electrical outlet in your home in any way.

NEVER leave a circuit unattended when it is turned on.

For all of the projects given in this book, the parts may be arranged in different

ways without changing the circuit. For example, the order of parts connected

in series or in parallel does not matter — what matters is how combinations

of these sub-circuits are arranged together.

3D Construction: Motors or other parts that produce motion (which you may

have from other snap Circuits

®

sets) should not be mounted overhead or on

walls, as the vibrations they produce could cause them to fall.

Advanced Troubleshooting

(Adult supervision recommended)

-10-

Elenco

®

is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect

wiring.

If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can follow

this procedure to systematically determine which ones

need replacing:

1. White LED(D6), color LED(D8), horn (W1), and battery

holder(B3): Place batteries in holder. Place the white LED,

and color LED directly across the battery holder (LED + to

battery +), the LED should light. Similarly, place the horn

directly across the battery holder (+ to +), it should make sound.

If none work, then replace your batteries and repeat, if still bad

then the battery holder is damaged.

2.

Jumper wires: Use this mini-

circuit to test each jumper wire,

the LED should light.

3.

Snap wires: Use this mini-

circuit to test each of the snap

wires, one at a time. The LED

should light.

4.

Vertical snap wires (V1): Use

this mini-circuit to test each of

the vertical snap wires, one at a

time. The LED should light.

5.

Slide switch (S1) and press switch (S2): Build project 1; if

the color LED (D8) doesn’t light then the slide switch is bad.

Replace the slide switch with the press switch to test it.

6. Phototransistor (Q4) and 5.1kW resistor (R3): Build project

54 and vary the amount of light shining on the phototransistor.

The brighter the light on the phototransistor, the brighter the

color LED (D8) should be. Then replace the phototransistor with

the 5.1kW resistor; the color LED should light dimly.

7.

NPNtransistor (Q2): Use project 98; the white LED (D6)

should be on only if the press switch (S2) is pushed. If

otherwise then Q2 is damaged.

8. Light tunnel(U30): Use project 136 to test it.

ELENCO

®

150 Carpenter Avenue

Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Phone: (847) 541-3800

Fax: (847) 520-0085

e-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.elenco.com

You may order additional / replacement parts at:

www.snapcircuits.net

Project # Description Page #

1 Color Light 13

2 White Light 13

3 Horn 13

4 Simple Light Tunnel 14

5 Fireworks 14

6 White Light Display 14

7 Projector 15

8 Ceiling Projector 15

9 Color Projector 15

10 Tri-Color Light Tunnel 16

11 Red Light Tunnel 16

12 Green Light Tunnel 16

13 Blue Light Tunnel 16

14 Red & Green Light Tunnel 16

15 Red & Blue Light Tunnel 16

16 Green & Blue Light Tunnel 16

17 3D Illumination 17

18 3Di Fun 19

19 Overhead Light 21

20 Overhead Lights 22

21 Security House 23

22

Security House w/ 2 Outer Lights

25

23 One-Mirror Circuit 27

24 One-Mirror Blinking Circuit 29

25 3-Wall House 31

26 Two-Mirror Circuit 32

27 Simple Two Mirror Circuit 32

Project # Description Page #

28 Angled Roof House 33

29 Break the Beam 35

30 Block the Sound 36

31 Light & Sound 37

32 A New Light & Sound 37

33 Light Tunnel 37

34 3D Color 38

35 3D Color Mess 39

36 3D Color LEDs 39

37 Your 3D Color 39

38 3D Color Splat 40

39 3D Color Fun 40

40 3D Color Tech 41

41 3D Color T-Rex 42

42 Automatic Light 42

43 Elevated Automatic Light 43

44 Automatic Lights 44

45 Super Automatic Lights 45

46 Vertical Light Tunnel 45

47 Vertical Tri-Color Light Tunnel 46

48 Vertical Dual-Color Light Tunnel 46

49

Vertical Single-Color Light Tunnel

46

50 Wall Light Show 47

51 Wall Projector 47

52 Dim Color Light 48

53 Dim White Light 48

54 Light-Controlled Light 48

Project # Description Page #

55 Light-Controlled White Light 48

56 Dim Green Light Tunnel 49

57 Dim Red Light Tunnel 49

58 Dim Blue Light Tunnel 49

59 Bright Light Tunnel 49

60 Blinking Blue Light Tunnel 50

61 Blinking Red Light Tunnel 50

62 Blinking Green Light Tunnel 50

63

Blinking Red & Blue Light Tunnel

50

64

Blinking Green & Blue Light Tunnel

50

65

Blinking Red & Green Light Tunnel

50

66 Front & Back Circuit 51

67 Another Front & Back Circuit 51

68 Break the Reflection Beam 52

69 Bouncy Reflection Beam 52

70 Break the 2-Reflection Beam 53

71 Bouncy Blur 54

72 Light-Controlled Light Tunnel 54

73 2-Front Circuit 55

74 Another 2-Front Circuit 55

75 Series of LEDs 56

76 Horn & Color Light 56

77 Horn & White Light 56

78 Parallel LEDs 56

79 Horn & Color Light (II) 56

80 Horn & White Light (II) 56

81 Triple Series? 57

Project Listings

-11-

Project Listings

-12-

Project # Description Page #

82 Triple Parallel 57

83 Four Fun 58

84 4 - 1 = 3 Fun 58

85 Four Fun Red 58

86 Four Fun Green 58

87 Four Fun Blue 58

88 Four Fun Red & Green 58

89 Four Fun Red & Blue 58

90 Four Fun Green & Blue 58

91 Vertical Four Fun 58

92 Lights & Mirrors 59

93 Noisy Lights & Mirrors 60

94 Lights & Blinkless Mirrors 60

95 Red Lights & Mirrors 60

96 Green Lights & Mirrors 60

97 Blue Lights & Mirrors 60

98 Transistor Control 60

99 Transistor Amplifier 61

100 Another Transistor Amplifier 61

101 Transistor Amplifier w/ Horn 61

102 Alternating Lights Sound 61

103 Photo Control 62

104 Photo Control (II) 62

105 Photo Control (III) 62

106 Photo Control (IV) 62

107 High Sensitivity Photo Control 62

Project # Description Page #

108 Reverse Photo Control 63

109 Reverse Photo Control (II) 63

110 Reverse Photo Control (III) 63

111 Infrared-Controlled Light 63

112 Infrared-Controlled Color Light 63

113 IR Control 64

114 Color IR Control 64

115 Audio IR Control 64

116 Photo Control Four 65

117 Light Up the Night 65

118 Infrared Control Four 65

119 Double Blinker 66

120 Green Double Blinker 66

121 Blue Double Blinker 66

122 Multi Double Blinker 66

123 White Double Blinker 66

124 Alternating Lights 67

125 Loud Multi-Color Sound 67

126 Loud Multi-Multi-Color Sound 67

127 Blue Blinking Fun 68

128 Green Blinking Fun 68

129 Red Blinking Fun 68

130 Red-Green Blinking Fun 68

131 Red-Blue Blinking Fun 68

132 Green-Blue Blinking Fun 68

133 Button Ball 69

Project # Description Page #

134 Hole Ball 69

135 Hole Ball with Light Tunnel 70

136 Check the Light Tunnel 70

137 High Wind Alarm 71

138 Hit the 2-Snap 71

139 Free Mirror Circuit 72

140 Floor Mirror Circuit 72

141 Box Circuit 73

142 Burglar Alarm Box 74

143 Outer Lights House 75

144 Light Tunnel Tower 76

145 Morse Code 77

146 Tower of Lights 77

147 Light-Controlled Light Tunnel 78

148 IR-Controlled Light Tunnel 78

149 Liquid Conductor 79

150 Human Conductor 79

151 Water Completes the Circuit 79

152 You Complete the Circuit 79

153 Mirrors on a Wall 80

154 Color Light Box 81

155 Color Light Box Lens 81

156 Projector Box 82

157 Mini Overhead Light 83

158 Mini Overhead Lights 83

159 Floor-to-Ceiling Break the Beam 84

Project 1

Color Light

Snap Circuits

®

uses electronic blocks that snap onto a clear plastic base grid to

build different circuits. These blocks have different colors and numbers on them so

you can easily identify them. This set contains both large (11” x 7.7”) and small (7.7”

x 5.5”) base grids; you may use either size for this small circuit.

Build the circuit shown on the left by placing all the parts with a black 1 next to them

on the base grid first. Then, assemble parts marked with a 2. Install three (3) “AA”

batteries (not included) into the battery holder (B3) if you have not done so already.

Turn on the slide switch (S1), and enjoy the light show from the color LED (D8).

For best effects, dim the room lights.

+

Project 2

White Light

Modify the preceding circuit by replacing the color

LED (D8) with the white LED (D6), as shown. The

white LED is brighter, but does not change colors.

Modify the preceding circuit by replacing the white LED (D6) with

the horn (W1), as shown. This circuit makes noise instead of light.

Project 3

Horn

Snappy says when you turn on the slide switch,

electricity flows from the batteries, through the color

LED and back to the battery through the switch. If the

switch is off, the flow of electricity is blocked, and the

color LED won’t light.

LEDs are light emitting diodes, which convert electrical

energy into light. The color of the light depends on the

characteristics of the material used in them. The color

LED actually contains separate red, green, and blue

lights, with a micro-circuit controlling them.

NOTE: this circuit (and many others

in this book) have an LED being used

without a resistor or other component

to limit the electric current through it.

Normally this could damage an LED

but your Snap Circuits

®

LEDs include

internal protection resistors, and will

not be damaged. Be careful if you

later use other electrical sets with

unprotected LEDs.

+

Placement

Level

Numbers

-13-

T

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.

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w

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-

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s

.

The white LED produces

very bright light. LEDs like

this one are increasingly

being used for home

lighting and flashlights.

They are more efficient

than normal light bulbs.

+

Project 4 Simple Light Tunnel

Build the circuit shown on the left by placing all the parts with a black 1

next to them on the board first. Then, place parts marked with a 2. Install

three (3) “AA” batteries (not included) into the battery holder (B3) if you

have not done so already.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The light tunnel (U30) puts on a show.

For best effects, dim the room lights. Try GENTLY pressing on the

center of the mirror in the light tunnel, and notice how the light patterns

bend inward a little.

The light tunnel has 3 red, 3 green, and

3 blue LEDs. There is a mirror behind

them, and a semi-transparent mirror

above them; the combination of these

produces the effects you see.

Placement

Level

Numbers

Project 5

Fireworks

Place the lined lens attachment on the color LED

(D8) and turn the clear part so that the lines on it

converge towards the left, as shown. Turn on the

slide switch (S1) and place the circuit so that the

color LED is right next to a wall or box. The color

LED and lined lens make a display of light that

resembles a fireworks show. For best effects make

the room very dark.

Try rotating the lined lens and see how the light

display changes.

+

LINED

LENS

Use the preceding circuit but replace the

color LED (D8) with the white LED (D6).

Project 6

White Light

Display

-14-

Project 8

Ceiling

Projector

Project 7 Projector

Use two vertical snap wires (V1) and mount the white

LED (D6) on them so it will shine towards a wall, then

place the projector on the white LED.

Place the circuit in a dark room and point it towards a

wall, white walls give best effects. Turn on the slide

switch (S1) and adjust the knob on the projector to show

the 6 images on the wall. The room should be very dark

for best effects. You can also get good results by

projecting the images on a white box a few feet away.

+

These red pieces are the same vertical

snap wire (V1), mounted so it stands up.

Use the project 2 circuit, but place the

projector on the white LED (D6). Place the

circuit in a dark room, preferably with a flat

white ceiling. Turn on the slide switch (S1)

and adjust the knob on the projector to show

the 6 images on the ceiling. The room should

be very dark for best effects.

+

Use either of the two preceding circuits but

replace the white LED (D6) with the color LED

(D8). The color LED is not as bright as the white

LED, but the images look different for each color

produced by the color LED. The effects are best

seen in a very dark room.

-15-

Project 9

Color Projector

-16-

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The light tunnel (U30) lights up with red,

green, and blue LEDs. For best effects, dim the room lights. Try

GENTLY pressing on the center of the mirror in the light tunnel, and

notice how the light patterns bend inward a little.

Project 13

Blue Light

Tunnel

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snaps connected

between the points marked A & B

and C & D.

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snap connected

between the points marked E & F.

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snap connected

between the points marked C & D.

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snap connected

between the points marked A & B.

Project 10

Tri-Color Light Tunnel

Project 14

Red & Green

Light Tunnel

Project 15

Red & Blue

Light Tunnel

Project 16

Green & Blue

Light Tunnel

Project 11

Red Light

Tunnel

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snaps connected

between the points marked C & D

and E & F.

Project 12

Green Light

Tunnel

Use the

project 10 circuit, but

remove the 3-snaps connected

between the points marked A & B

and E & F.

Project 17

3D Illumination

+

These red pieces are

the same vertical snap

wire (V1), mounted so

it stands up.

The grids fit into the

supports easier if

the column marking

(1-7) is on this side.

-17-

remove any

protective

backing

This drawing looks complex,

because it shows assembly

of a 3-dimensional structure.

-18-

Assembly (adult supervision recommended). Follow these assembly

instructions in order:

1. Place base grid supports on the base grid labeled A in the drawing.

2. Place parts on grid B, and install into base grid support on grid A.

3. Place parts on grid C (except the vertical snap wire (V1) that connects

to grid B, and the 2-snap wire that attaches to it), and install into base

grid supports on grid A. Finish connection of the V1 connecting

between grids B-C, add the 2-snap wire that attaches to it, and add

the stabilizer between grids B & C.

4. Install remaining parts on grid A.

5. Add the mirror and Q4 attachment.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The light tunnel (U30) and color LED (D8) put

on a show. To trigger an alarm, align the mirror so light from the white LED

(D6) reaches the phototransistor (Q4); remove and re-install it in the spring if

needed. Try giving the mirror a push so it bounces back and forth on the spring.

You can swap the locations of the white and color LEDs (D6 & D8), but

in some cases the color LED may not activate the alarm.

Go to www.snapcircuits.net/sc3di for an interactive 3D picture to help

with contructing this circuit.

+

These red pieces are

the same vertical snap

wire (V1), mounted so it

stands up.

The grids fit into the

supports easier if

the column marking

(1-7) is on this side.

+

-19-

Project 18

3Di Fun

This circuit is shown on the cover of the Snap

Circuits

®

3D Illumination box and manual.

Use that picture to help with building it.

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Snap Circuits SC3Di Owner's manual

Snap Circuits SC3Di Owner's manual

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