Elenco Snap Circuits Motion User Manual

Project 66

Copyright © 2014 by Elenco®Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced by 753134
any means; electronic, photocopying, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher.

Patents: 7,144,255; 7,273,377; & other patents pending

Table of Contents

Basic Troubleshooting 1
Parts List 2, 3
How to Use Snap Circuits

®

4

Airplane Assembly 5
Crawler Assembly 6, 7
About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts 8 - 10

Introduction to Electricity 11

WARNING FOR ALL PROJECTS WITH A SYMBOL -

!

Moving parts. Do not touch the motor or fan during operation. Eye protection is recommended.

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect Snap

®

Circuits

to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!

Basic Troubleshooting

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. If the light motor (M7) spins but the lights do not
turn on, make sure you installed it with the “+”
side oriented correctly.

If you suspect you have damaged parts, use the
Advanced Troubleshooting procedure on pages 13
and 14 to determine which ones need replacing.

®

ELENCO
to incorrect wiring.

is not responsible for parts damaged due

!

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

● 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 mix old and new batteries.

Batteries:

!

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits 12
Advanced Troubleshooting 13, 14
Project Listings 15, 16
Projects 1 - 168 17 - 81
Notes 82
Other Snap Circuits

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD -

!

Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

®

Projects 83

!

Conforms to all

applicable U.S.

government

requirements.

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: Persons who are extremely

sensitive to flashing lights and rapidly
changing colors or patterns should exercise
caution when playing with this toy.

Keep this booklet because it contains
important information.

● Do not connect batteries or battery holders in
parallel.

● 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.

-1-

Parts List (Colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers (page 1)

Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free [phone] or e-mail us at:

[e-mail]. Customer Service ● 150 Carpenter Ave. ● Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Qty. ID Name Symbol Part # Qty. ID Name Symbol Part #

r 1

r 3

r 6

r 3

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

1

2

3

4

5

6

AF

Base Grid
(11.0” x 7.7”)

1-Snap Wire 6SC01

2-Snap Wire 6SC02

3-Snap Wire 6SC03

4-Snap Wire 6SC04

5-Snap Wire 6SC05

6-Snap Wire 6SC06

Air Fountain 6SCAF

Ball for Air Fountain 6SCAFB

6SCBG

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 2

r 1

C4

C7

D8

D10

100mF Capacitor 6SCC4

1mF Capacitor 6SCC7

Crawler Body 6SCCRAWB

Crawler Parts 6SCCRAWP

Color Light Emitting
Diode (LED)

Red/Yellow Bicolor Light
Emitting Diode (LED)

1.0” Gear 6SCGEAR1

1.75” Gear 6SCGEAR2

2.55” Gear 6SCGEAR3

6SCD8

6SCD10

r 1

r 2

r 1

r 1

B1

Spout for Air Fountain

Battery Holder - uses two (2)

1.5V type “AA” (not Included)

Rubber Band 6SCBAND1

“+” Shaped Bar 6SCBAR1

You may order additional / replacement parts at our website: www.snapcircuits.net

6SCAFS

6SCB1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

GM

3.3” Gear 6SCGEAR4

Geared Motor 6SCGM

Jumper Wire (Black) 6SCJ1

Jumper Wire (Red) 6SCJ2

-2-

Parts List (Colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers (page 2)

Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free [phone] or e-mail us at:

[e-mail]. Customer Service ● 150 Carpenter Ave. ● Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Qty. ID Name Symbol Part # Qty. ID Name Symbol Part #

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

M7

Light Motor 6SCM7

Mini Car 6SCMCAR

Merry-Go-Round Base

Set of Disc Cutouts
(4 pcs. / set)

Set of Cardboard
Figures (9 pcs. / set)

Airplane Parts
(must be punched out)

Pivot Stand 6SCPSB

0.9” Pulley 6SCPULL1

6SCMGRB

6SCMGRD

6SCMGRF

6SCPLANE

r 2

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 2

r 2

r 1

S1

S4

S6

S7

SP2

Rubber Ring, 0.375” Dia.

Slide Switch 6SCS1

Vibration Switch 6SCS4

Switcher 6SCS6

Tilt Switch 6SCS7

Screw PAW 2.6mm x
6mm

Screw PA 2.3mm x
8mm

Speaker 6SCSP2

6SCRUBRG

6SCSCREW1

6SCSCREW2

r 1

r 1

r 1

r 1

-3-

Q2

RV2

1.3” Pulley 6SCPULL2

2.1” Pulley 6SCPULL3

NPN Transistor 6SCQ2

Adjustable Resistor 6SCRV2

You may order additional / replacement parts at our website: www.snapcircuits.net

r 1

r 1

r 1

U2

U7

Alarm IC 6SCU2

Motion Detector 6SCU7

Blue Stand 626100

How to Use SnapCircuits

®

®

Snap Circuits
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.

uses building blocks with snaps

For Example:

This is the switch block which 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 , , , ,

6

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.

S1

2

3 4 5

You need a power source to build each circuit.
This is labeled and requires two (2) 1.5V
“AA” batteries (not included).

A large clear plastic base grid is 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 base has
rows labeled A-G and columns labeled 1-10.

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.

B1

The set contains 9 pre­punched cardboard
figures, which can be
inserted into slots in the
merry-go-round base.
The figures are supplied
as a single sheet; just
punch them out.

This set contains 4 pre­punched cardboard discs.
These will be used to make
hypnotic patterns in project
47, with a strobe light in
project 48, and in other
projects. The discs are
supplied as a single sheet; just punch them out.

To remove a disc from the holder, flip the
holder over and poke the disc out with
your finger as shown.

-4-

Note: The airplane is used in

project 27 and others, usually with
the light motor (M7) mounted on it.

Airplane Assembly

Step 1

3 3

3 3

1

Step 3

8

-5-

7

Step 2

2

4

4

6

9

5

9

9

Crawler Assembly

Note: The crawler is used in project 31 and

others, usually with the geared motor (GM)
mounted on it.

Step 2

2 2

3

3

3

3

3

3

Step 1

1

4

4

4

4

4

4

1

Step 3 Step 4

2

Flat side

2

4

3

4

A

B

C

3

3

Note

direction

-6-

Crawler Assembly

Step 5

Step 6

4 4

Step 7 Step 8

4

3

IMPORTANT: Disassembling the

crawler base is not recommended.
The 1.75” gear used in step 1 is not
needed anywhere else. The geared
motor (GM) is removable, and is
used throughout the projects.

-7-

3

4

3

Note

direction

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts

(Part designs are subject to change without
notice).

BASE GRID

The base grid is a platform for mounting parts
and wires. It functions 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.

SNAP WIRES & JUMPER WIRES

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 red and black
jumper wires make
flexible connections for
times when using the snap wires
would be difficult. They also are
used to make connections 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.

BATTERY HOLDER

The batteries (B1) 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 (B1)

SPEAKER

The speaker (SP2)
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.

SWITCHES

Switches connect (“ON”) or disconnect (“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. Snap
Circuits

The slide switch (S1) is a simple switch like most in
your home.

The switcher (S6) is a more complex switch used to
reverse the wires to a component or circuit. See
project 2 for an example of connections.

One side of the vibration switch (S4) connects to a
spring, the other side connects to a wire through the
spring. When the spring is shaken, the spring
bounces to connect or disconnect the circuit.

The tilt switch (S7) has a ball that can roll to make
connections between the center and one of the sides.

®

Motion includes several different switches:

Slide Switch (S1)

Switcher (S6)

Vibration Switch (S4)

Tilt Switch (S7)

Speaker (SP2)

-8-

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts

RESISTORS

Resistors “resist” the flow of electricity and are
used to control or limit the current in a circuit.
Snap Circuits
10,000W
adjustable resistor. 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.

Pivot Stand

The adjustable resistor (RV2) is a 10,000W
resistor but with a center tap that can be adjusted
between 200W and 10,000W.

®

Motion has two resistors (

) inside the pivot stand, and an

Adjustable Resistor (RV2)

47W and

Capacitors (C4 &C7)

MOTOR MODULES

The light motor (M7) is a motor with an LED
circuit mounted on its shaft. A motor converts
electricity into mechanical motion, in the form of
a spinning shaft. In the light motor electricity is
transported through the motor shaft to power an
LED circuit, with LEDs mounted on the fan blade.
The motor spins in both directions, but the light
circuit only works in one direction.

How does electricity turn the shaft in the motor?
Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and
an electric current flowing in a wire has a
magnetic field similar to that of a very, very tiny
magnet. Inside the motor is three coils of wire
with many loops. If a large electric current flows
through the loops, the magnetic effects become
concentrated enough to move the coils. The
motor has a magnet inside, so as the electricity
moves the coils to align them with the permanent
magnet, the shaft spins.

The air fountain (AF) has a motor and fan
inside. The fan sucks air in from the side and
pushes it out the top. As the air comes out it
spreads out like a fountain of water and can
balance light round objects like the ball.
Reversing the voltage to the air fountain reduces
the power of the airflow due to the shape of the
fan.

Air Fountain

The geared motor (GM) is a motor with a
gearbox attached. The gearbox makes the
attached “+” shaped shaft spin slower but with
more force than the shaft that is directly attached
to the motor.

CAPACITORS

The 1mF and 100mF capacitors (C7 & C4) can
store electrical pressure (voltage) for periods of
time. This storage ability allows them to block
stable voltage signals and pass changing ones.
Capacitors are used for filtering and delay
circuits.

-9-

Light Motor (M7)

Geared Motor

About Your Snap Circuits

®

Parts

TRANSISTORS

The NPN transistor (Q2) uses a small electric
current to control a large current, and is 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)

LEDs

The color LED(D8) and red/yellow bicolor
LED (D10) 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 (about 1.5V for red,
slightly higher for yellow, about 2.0V for green,
and about 3.0V for blue); brightness then
increases. The color LED contains red, green,
and blue LEDs, with a micro-circuit controlling
then. The red/yellow bicolor LED contains red &
yellow LEDs in connected in opposite directions.
A high current will burn out an LED, so the
current must be limited by other components in
the circuit (though your Snap Circuits
have internal resistors to protect against incorrect
wiring). LEDs block electricity in the “reverse”
direction.

®

LEDs

LEDs (D8&D10)

ELECTRONICMODULES

The alarm IC (U2) contains a specialized sound-

generation integrated circuit (IC) and other
supporting components (resistors, capacitors,
and transistors) that are always needed with it.
A schematic for it is available at
www.snapcircuits.net/faq.

IN2

IN1

(–)

Connections:

IN1, IN2, IN3 - control inputs
(–) - power return to batteries
OUT - output connection

Connect control inputs to (+) power to make five
alarm sounds, see project 39 for an example of
proper connections.

IN3

OUT

The motion detector (U7) contains an infrared
detector, amplifier-filter circuit, and timing circuit.
A schematic for it is available at
www.snapcircuits.net/faq.

(+)

OUT

(–)

Connections:

(+) - regulated power from batteries
(–) - power return to batteries
OUT - output connection
Lens

All objects (including people and animals)
produce infrared radiation due to the heat in
them. Infrared radiation is similar to visible light
but has a longer wavelength that our eyes cannot
detect. The lens on top of the motion detector
module filters and focuses the radiation, it is most
sensitive to the radiation produced by our bodies.

Inside the motion detector module is an infrared
detector with pyroelectric crystals, which create
a tiny voltage when exposed to infrared radiation.
A circuit amplifies and filters this voltage, but only
responds to changes in the radiation level - so is
only triggered by moving objects (motion). When
motion is detected a timing circuit is used to
control other snap circuits devices for a few
seconds, such as an alarm.

-10-

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 sub­atomic 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:

Series Circuit

Parallel Circuit

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.

-11-

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits

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, capacitor, motor, integrated circuit,
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 at right)
as this will damage components

alarm IC (U2) and motion detector (U7) using configurations given in the projects,
incorrectly doing so may damage them. ELENCO

damaged due to incorrect wiring.

and/or quickly drain your batteries. Only connect the

®

is not responsible for parts

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 the speaker, capacitors, ICs (which must be connected properly),
light or geared motors, air fountain, or resistors.

ALWAYS use LEDs, transistors, and 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 connect capacitors so that the “+” side gets the higher voltage.
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 alarm IC (U2) and motion detector (U7) using configurations

given in the projects or as per the connection description on page 10.

NEVER connect to an electrical outlet in your home in any way.
NEVER leave a circuit unattended when it is turned on.
NEVER touch the light motor when it is spinning.

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.

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

ELENCO®provides a circuit designer so that you can make your own
Snap Circuits
downloaded from:

www.snapcircuits.net/learning_center/kids_creation

or through the www.snapcircuits.net website.

®

drawings. This Microsoft®Word document can be

®

: [e-mail].

Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS - NEVER DO THESE!!!

Placing a 3-snap wire directly
across the batteries is a
SHORT CIRCUIT.

!

NEVER

DO!

!

NEVER

DO!

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!

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect Snap Circuits

to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!

!

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.

This is also a

SHORT CIRCUIT.

!

NEVER

DO!

®

-12-

Advanced Troubleshooting

(Adult supervision recommended)

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:

(Note: Some of these tests connect an LEDdirectly
across the batteries without another component to
limit the current. Normally this might damage the
LED, however SnapCircuits
resistors added to protect them from incorrect
wiring, and will not be damaged.)

1. Color LED(D8), red/yellow bicolor LED

(D10), speaker (SP2), geared motor (GM),
and battery holder(B1):

● Place batteries in holder.

● Place the color LED directly across the

battery holder (LED + to battery +), it
should light and be changing colors.

● Place the red/yellow bicolor LED directly
across the battery holder, in both
orientations. It should light red when the
red side is to battery +, and yellow when
the yellow side is to battery +.

● “Tap” the speaker across the battery
holder contacts, you should hear static as
it touches.

● Place the geared motor directly across the
battery holder; its shaft should spin.

● If none of the above work, then replace
your batteries and repeat. If still bad, then
the battery holder is damaged. Test both
battery holders.

2. Red & black jumper

wires: Use this mini-

circuit to test each
jumper wire, the LED
should light.

®

LEDs have internal

3. Snap wires: Use this mini-circuit to test

each of the snap wires, one at a time. The
LED should light.

4. Slide switch (S1) and vibration switch

(S4): Use this mini-circuit; if the LED doesn’t

light then the slide switch is bad. Replace
the slide switch with the vibration switch;
tapping it should light the LED, or the
vibration switch is bad.

5. Light motor (M7): Build project 3. The light

motor should spin and lights in the fan blade
should make a colorful, changing pattern.
Be sure you orient the light motor as per the
drawing.

6. Air fountain (AF): Build project 6, and be

sure you have good batteries. Air blown out
of the top of the air fountain should make the
ball spin around and/or rise into the air.

7. Pivot stand resistors: The pivot stand has

resistors mounted inside; they can be tested
using the mini-circuit shown here. The
red/yellow LED (D10) should be bright and
the color LED (D8) should be very dim,
otherwise the pivot stand is damaged.

8. Adjustable resistor (RV2): Build project

133. Move the resistor control lever to both
sides. When set to each side, one LED
should be bright and the other dim;
otherwise RV2 is bad.

9. NPN transistor (Q2): Build the mini-circuit

shown here. The color LED (D8) should only
be on if the slide switch (S1) is on. If
otherwise, then Q2 is damaged.

Tilt switch (S7): Build this mini-circuit and

10.
tilt it in different directions. D10 should be on
at some tilt angles, D8 should be on at other
tilt angles, and sometimes both lights are off.

-13-

Advanced Troubleshooting

11. Alarm IC(U2): Build project 158, and the

variants for it. Each arrangement should
produce a siren sound, or U2 is broken.

12. Motion Detector(U7): Build project 18.

The LED (D8) should light for a few
seconds on power-up and then whenever
the circuit detects motion.

13. Switcher (S6): Build this mini-circuit. The

LED (D10) should be red when S6 is in the
top position, off when S6 is in the middle
position, and yellow when S6 is in the
bottom position; otherwise S6 is broken.

1mF (C7) and 100mF (C4) capacitors:

14.
Build project 139. Touch C4 or C7 across
points A & B, then across points C & D; the
LED (D10) should flash (brightly for C4 and
dimly for C7) or the capacitor is broken.

(Adult supervision recommended)

ELENCO

®

150 Carpenter Avenue

Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.elenco.com

You may order additional / replacement

parts at: www.snapcircuits.net

-14-

Project Listings

Project # Description Page #

1 Color Light 17

2 Reversible Light 17

3 Light Show 18

4 Dim Light Show 18

5 Vibration, Tilt, & Motion Detector 18

6 Dancing Ball 19

7 High Power Dancing Ball 19

8 Human Height Control 19

9 Double Dancer 19

10 Low Double Dancer 19

11 Vibration Light 20

12 Vibration Alarm 20

13 Tilt Sensor 20

14 Super Motion Detector 21

15 Short Spin Lights & Sound 21

16

Louder Short Spin Lights & Sound

21

Project #

29 Idling Plane 26

30 Light Plane 26

31 Crawler 27

32 Crawler with Control Light 27

33 High Speed Crawler 27

34 Crawler with On-Board Control 28

35 Crawler with Control Light 28

36 Crawler with Motion Light 28

37 Tilt Motion 29

38 Tilt Alarm 29

39 Alarm Sounds & Lights 30

40 Softer Alarms 30

41 Funky Colors Alarms 30

42 Lighthouse 31

43 Merry-Go-Round 31

44 Fast Merry-Go-Round 31

Description Page #

Project #

57 Secure Pulley 38

58 More Pulleys 38

59 Trip-Wire Lights 38

60 Triple Lights Motion 39

61 Double Lights Motion 39

62 Big Circuit 40

63 Vib Off 40

64 Audio Triple Detector 41

65 Vibration Plane 41

66 Too Much at Once? 42

67 Not Too Much at Once 43

68 Adjustable Motor & More 44

69 Adjustable Dancing Ball 44

70 Color Brightness Adjuster 45

71

72 Yellow Brightness Adjuster 45

Description Page #

Red or Yellow Brightness Adjuster

45

17 Motion Detector Light 22

18 Low Power Motion Detector 22

19 Motion Detector Alarms 23

20

21 Mini Car 24

22 Mini Car with Control Light 24

23 High Speed Car 24

24 Mini Car with On-Board Control 25

25 Mini Car with Light 25

26 Mini Car with Motion Light 25

27 It’s a Plane! 26

28 Low Power Plane 26

Merry-Go-Round Motion Detector

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23

45

46

47 Hypnotic Discs 33

48 Strobe Light with Music 33

49 Slow Merry-Go-Round 34

50 Merry-Go-Round with Lights 34

51 Fun with Gears 35

52 Higher Gear Ratio 35

53 Spin Draw 35

54 Strobe Light 36

55 Make Your Own Patterns 37

56 Fun with Pulleys 37

Merry-Go-Round with Music & Light

Fast Merry-Go-Round with Music & Light

32

32

73 Double Brightness Adjuster 45

74

75

76 Dim Double Brightness Adjuster 46

77 Secret Resistors 47

78

79

80 Adjustable Volume Alarms 47

81 Double Red Siren 48

82 Double Lights Siren 48

83 Super Vibration Light 49

84 Fast Vibration Light 49

Two-Way Double Brightness Adjuster

Parallel Double Brightness Adjuster

Adjustable Alarm Sounds & Light

Stable Adjustable Alarm Sounds & Light

46

46

47

47

Project Listings

Project # Description Page #

85 Vibration Alarms & Lights 49

86 Shaky Alarms & Lights 49

87 Reversible Merry-Go-Round 50

88 Two-Way Circuit 50

89 Low Power Two-Way Circuit 50

90 Slow Off Tilt Alarm 51

91 Slow Off Tilt Light 51

92 Switcher Fun 51

93 Adjustable Slow Off Tilt Light 52

94 Color Slow Off Tilt Light 52

95 Very Slow Off Tilt Light 52

96 Bright Slow Off Tilt Light 52

97

98 Color Slow Off Vibration Light 53

99 Very Slow Off Vibration Light 53

100 Bright Slow Off Vibration Light 53

Adjustable Slow Off Vibration Light

53

Project #

113 Super Charge & Discharge 58

114 Mini Charge & Discharge 58

115 Light Start 59

116 Double Motion 59

117 Triple Motion 60

118 Slow Triple Motion 60

119 Dominator 60

120 Lots at Once 61

121 Electrical Circle 61

122 Generator 62

123 Leverage 62

124 Generator Load 62

125 Water Alarm 63

126 Human Alarm 63

127 Draw an Alarm 63

128 Human & Water Light 64

Description Page #

Project #

141 Short Burst Machine Gun 70

142 Short Burst Sound & Lights 70

143 Short-On Light 70

144 Finger Touch Light 71

145 Slow Off Light 71

146 3-Position Switch 71

147 One Way Electricity 72

148 Tilt Sound & Light 72

149 Inflator 73

150 Transistor 73

151 Slow Light 74

152 Wiggler 74

153 Blinker Beeper 75

154 Blinker Blinker 75

155 Blinker Control 75

156 Red Lights First 76

Description Page #

101 Slow Off Tilt Lights 54

102 Very Slow Off Tilt Lights 54

103 Slow Off Vibration Lights 54

104 Very Slow Off Vibration Lights 54

105 Tilted Motion Detector 55

106 Tilt Off 55

107 Electricity In, Electricity Out 56

108 Little Electricity In/Out 56

109 Mini Rechargeable Battery 56

110 Mini Rechargeable Batteries 57

111 Left Right Bright Lights 57

112 Charge & Discharge 58

129 Conduction Detector 64

130 Trip-Wire Alarm 64

131 Current Limiters 65

132 Current Limiters in Parallel 65

133 Current Director 66

134 Reversible Current Director 67

135 Lazy Fan 68

136 Lazy Merry-Go-Round 68

137 Lazy Lights 68

138 Very Lazy Lights 68

139

140

Electricity You Can Walk Away With

Electricity You Can Walk Away With (II)

69

69

157 Red Just Before Yellow 76

158 Loud Sirens 77

159 Adjustable Volume Sirens 77

160 Capacitors in Series 78

161 Capacitors in Parallel 78

162 Adjustable Low Speed Fan 79

163 Adjustable Light Motor 79

164 Transistor Control 80

165 Reversible Motor 80

166 Slow Reversible Motor 80

167 Orange Light 81

168 Light, Sound, & Flight 81

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Project 1 Color Light

+

Placement Level Numbers

+

Snappy says the color LED actually contains
separate red, green, and blue lights, with a
micro-circuit controlling them.

The pivot stand is used here because it has
internal resistors that limit the flow of electricity,
and help protect the color LED from damage.

Snap Circuits®uses electronic blocks
that snap onto a clear plastic grid to
build different circuits. These blocks
have different colors and numbers on
them so that you can easily identify
them.

Build the circuit shown on the left by
placing all the parts with a black 1 next
to them on the board first. Then,
assemble parts marked with a 2. Install
two (2) “AA” batteries (not included)
into each of the battery holders (B1) 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.

Try replacing the color LED with the
red/yellow bicolor LED (D10), orienting
it in either direction.

-17-

Project 2 Reversible Light

Build the circuit as shown, turn on the slide
switch (S1), and then set the switcher (S6)
at each of its 3 positions. The red/yellow
bicolor LED (D10) should be yellow at the
top S6 position, off at the middle position,
and red at the bottom S6 position. For best
effects, dim the room lights.

Try replacing the red/yellow bicolor LED
with the color LED (D8, “+” on left). The
color LED isn’t bidirectional, so it only
works at the top S6 position.

LEDs are light emitting diodes, which
are like little light bulbs that only work
in one direction. The red/yellow
bicolor LED is actually a red LED and
a yellow LED, connected in opposite
directions inside the same part.

Project 3 Light Show

Project 4

+

Placement Level Numbers

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not

!

touch the fan during operation.

Project 5 Vibration, Tilt, &

Snap Circuits®uses electronic blocks that snap onto a clear
plastic grid to build different circuits. These blocks have different
colors and numbers on them so that you can easily identify them.

Build the circuit shown on the left by placing all the parts with a
black 1 next to them on the board first. Then, assemble parts
marked with a 2. Install two (2) “AA” batteries (not included) into
each of the battery holders (B1) if you have not done so already.

Turn on the slide switch (S1) and watch the light show! For best
effects, dim the room lights.

Never touch the fan while it is spinning.

The fan on the light motor has
several LEDs, similar to the
ones in the D8 & D10 LEDs.
Electricity is transported
through the motor shaft to
power the LEDs.

Motion Detector

Dim Light

Show

Use the preceding circuit, but
replace one of the battery holders
(B1) with a 3-snap wire. The circuit
works the same but is much
dimmer, giving some interesting
effects. For best effects, view in a
dimly lit room.

Build the circuit and turn on the slide switch (S1). The color LED (D8)
lights for a few seconds on start-up, and then whenever the circuit
detects motion, feels vibration, or is tilted in some directions.

-18-

Project 6

Place the spout
on top of the air
fountain and the
ball in the air flow.

Spout

Dancing Ball

Build the circuit as shown,
place the spout on the air
fountain (AF), turn on the slide
switch (S1), then place the
ball directly in the blowing air
above the air fountain. The
blowing air should balance
the ball, so it floats in the air
and “dances”. Occasionally
the ball may become unstable
and fall out; just place it back
into the air flow.

If desired, you may draw lines
or patterns on the ball. New
alkaline batteries are
recommended for this project.

Project 7

High Power Dancing Ball

Use the preceding circuit, but replace the 3-snap wire with a second
battery holder (B1). The circuit works the same but the blowing air flow
is stronger, making the ball float higher but also making it unstable. As
a result, the ball may fall out quickly.

Try replacing the ball with other small, light balls in your home and see
which ones float in the airflow.

Project 8

Human Height Control

Use the preceding circuit, but place your fingers or thumb in front of the
air intake on the side of the air fountain, to partially block it. You can
make the ball float lower in the air by restricting the airflow. This may
make the ball be more stable and stay in the air longer.

-19-

Project 9 Double Dancer

Build this circuit, turn on the slide switch (S1), set the
switcher (S6) to either the top or bottom position, and
place the ball in the air flow above the spout on the air
fountain (AF). See how long the ball floats in the air
for each S6 setting.

The top S6 setting has stronger air flow, but it may be
too strong, causing the ball to become unstable and
fall out. The bottom S6 setting makes the air flow a
little weaker, so the ball may be more stable and float
in the air better.

Try replacing the ball with other small, light balls in
your home and see which ones float in the airflow.

The air is being blown by a fan blade inside the
air fountain. The switcher (S6) reverses the
direction that the fan spins, but the shape of the
fan makes the air flow stronger in one direction.

Project 10

Low Double

Dancer

Use the preceding circuit, but
replace one of the battery
holders with a 3-snap wire. The
circuit works the same but the
blowing air flow is weaker. The
ball may wiggle around without
rising into the air.

Project 11

Vibration Light

Project 12

Build the circuit as shown. Tap on the
vibration switch (S4) or bang on the table
to make the red/yellow LED (D10) light.

One side of the vibration switch connects
to a spring, and the other side connects to
a contact next to the spring. When the
switch is shaken, the spring bounces to
open or close the circuit.

Project 13

Vibration Alarm

Build the circuit as shown. Tap on the vibration switch (S4)
or bang on the table to sound an alarm.

Tilt Sensor

Build the circuit as shown and turn on the slide switch (S1). The color
LED (D8) or red/yellow LED (D10) will light if the circuit is tilted or
moved. Experiment to see which tilt angles activate which LED.

If the circuit does not shut off when left alone on a flat surface, then tilt
it slightly so it turns off.

The tilt switch (S7)
contains a ball, which
activates contacts when
it rolls to either side due
to tilt or motion.

-20-

Project 14

Mount circuit on the blue stand and face across a room.

Super Motion Detector

Assemble the circuit and place the base grid into the blue stand (with
the NPN transistor (Q2) closest to the stand) and carefully stand it up.
Position it near the edge of a table, facing across a room.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The color LED (D8) lights and an alarm
sounds for a few seconds on start-up, and then whenever the circuit
detects motion in the room.

This circuit will work in the dark, but be careful not to hurt yourself
moving around a room in the dark.

Objects that generate heat, including
people and animals, also produce
infrared radiation. Infrared radiation
cannot be seen with our eyes, but
can be detected.

The motion detector (U7) is designed
to detect changes in infrared radiation,
especially the type emitted by people.
The NPN transistor (Q2) acts as an
amplifier, helping the motion detector
turn on the color LED and alarm.

Project 15

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Short Spin Lights & Sound

Build the circuit and turn on the
slide switch (S1). The light
motor (M7) spins in short bursts,
synchronized with a machine
gun-like sound.

This is one of my
favorite circuits!

Project 16

Louder Short

Spin Lights &

Sound

Use the preceding circuit but
replace the color LED (D8) with a
3-snap wire. The sound is louder
now, and the movement of the light
motor (M7) is a little different.

Project 17 Motion Detector Light

Assemble the circuit and place the base grid into the blue stand (with
the NPN transistor (Q2) closest to the stand) and carefully stand it up.
Position it near the edge of a table, facing across a room.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The color LED (D8) lights for a few
seconds on start-up, and then whenever the circuit detects motion in
the room.

This circuit will work in the dark, but be careful not to hurt yourself
moving around a room in the dark.

Mount circuit on the blue stand and face across a room.

Project 18 Low Power

Motion Detector

Place the base grid into the blue stand (with the slide switch (S1) closest
to the stand) and carefully stand it up. Position it near the edge of a table,
facing across a room.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The color LED (D8) lights for a few seconds
on start-up, and then whenever the circuit detects motion in the room.

The color LED will not be as bright as it
was in the preceding circuit, because this
circuit does not have the NPN transistor
(Q2) as an amplifier. This circuit uses less
electricity than projects 14 & 17, so your
batteries will last longer.

Mount circuit on the blue stand and face across a room.

-22-

Project 19

Motion Detector Alarms

Assemble the circuit and place the base grid into the blue stand (with
the slide switch (S1) closest to the stand) and carefully stand it up.
Position it near the edge of a table, facing across a room.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). An alarm sounds for a few seconds on
start-up, and then whenever the circuit detects motion in the room.

This circuit will work in the dark, but be careful not to hurt yourself
moving around a room in the dark.

Variant A: Add a connection between the points marked B & C using
a 1-snap and a 2-snap. Now it sounds like a machine gun.

Variant B: Remove the connection between B & C, and add a
connection between A & B. Now it sounds like a fire engine.

Variant C: Remove the connection between A & B, and add a
connection between A & D. Now it sounds like a European siren.

Project 20 Merry-Go-Round

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Motion Detector

Assemble the circuit and mount the merry-go-round base on the geared
motor (GM) shaft. Place cardboard figures on the merry-go-round if
desired.

Turn on the slide switch (S1). The merry-go-round spins for a few
seconds on start-up, and then whenever the circuit detects motion in
the room.

Rubber rings

Project 21

Mini Car

Build the circuit as shown. Mount the

1.75” gear on the geared motor (GM) with
the rubber rings to keep it from sliding out
of position, place it on the mini car frame,
and connect it to the circuit using the red
& black jumper wires. Turn on the slide
switch (S1), and then use the switcher
(S6) to make the mini car go forward,
backward-turning, or stop. You can follow
the car around the room or table carrying
the base grid while using S6 to control it.
Be careful to follow it closely so you don’t
over-extend the jumper wires, and to keep
it from falling off the table.

Project 22

Mini Car with Control Light

Modify the preceding circuit
to include the red/yellow
bicolor LED (D10), which
lights yellow when the car is
going forward, or red when
it goes backward-turning.

Project 23

High Speed

Car

Modify the preceding circuit
to use a second battery
holder (B1), as shown. The
car is much faster now, but
more difficult to control.

-24-

Project 24

Mini Car with

Project 25

Rubber

rings

Project 26

On-Board Control

Build the circuit shown here. Mount the 1.75” gear
on the geared motor (GM) with the rubber rings to
keep it from sliding out of position, and place it on
the mini car frame. Place the switcher (S6) directly
on the geared motor, set S6 to the middle position,
place a battery holder (B1) on the front of the mini
car frame, connect the red jumper wire from + on
B1 to C on S6, then connect black wire from — on
B1 to B on S6. Be sure the jumper wires will not
interfere with the gears or wheels.

Set S6 to the “A” side to make the mini car go
forward, or set it to the “D” side to make the mini
car go backwards and turn. Be careful that the mini
car does not fall off a table or down a stairway!

Mini Car with Motion Light

Mini Car

with Light

Add the color LED (D8) directly
on top of the jumper wire
connections to the battery holder
(B1, LED + to battery +).
Alternately, you can use the
red/yellow bicolor LED (D10),
oriented in either direction.

Remove the LED when you are
finished. Note that normally
connecting an LED directly to a
battery can damage the LED, but
the color LED has an internal
resistor that will protect it.

-25-

Rubber

rings

Mount the 1.75” gear on the geared motor (GM), with
the rubber rings to keep it from sliding out of position,
and place it on the mini car frame. Mount the
red/yellow bicolor LED (D10), vibration switch (S4),
and pivot stand to the geared motor in the
arrangement shown, and connect to the circuit on the
base grid using the red & black jumper wires as
shown.

Turn on the slide switch (S1), and then use the
switcher (S6) to make the mini car go forward,
backward-turn, or stop. When the mini car is moving,
vibrations will often light the red/yellow LED. You can
follow the mini car around the room or table carrying
the base grid while using S6 to control it. Be careful
to follow it closely so you don’t over-extend the
jumper wires, and to keep it from falling off the table.