Elenco Electronics SC3DMEG User manual

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

Projects 1 - 163

Instruction Manual

8-108

AGES

Project 40

Project 36

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:29 PM Page 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.

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 11 to determine which

ones need replacing.

Basic Troubleshooting 1

Parts List 2 - 3

How to Use Snap Circuits® 4 - 6

About Your Snap Circuits®Parts 7 - 8

Introduction to Electricity 9

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits 10

Advanced Troubleshooting 11

Project Listings 12 - 13

Projects 1 - 163 14 - 92

Bonus Circuits 93 - 96

Going Further 97

Other Snap Circuits®Products 98

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).

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:29 PM Page 2

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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 #

r31-Snap Wire 6SC01 r4Base Grid Support 6SCBGSUP

r62-Snap Wire 6SC02 r1Illusion Cards 6SCCARD1

r33-Snap Wire 6SC03 r1Compass 6SCCOM

r14-Snap Wire 6SC04 r1Blue LED 6SCD9

r15-Snap Wire 6SC05 r1 Blink Red LED 6SCD11

r16-Snap Wire 6SC06 r1Color2 LED 6SCD12

r23D Snap 6SC3DSNAP r1EGG 6SCEGG

Battery Holder - uses

three (3) 1.5V type

“AA” (not Included) 6SCB3 r1Mounting Base 6SC MB

Base Grid

(11.0” x 7.7”) 6SCBG r1

Fiber Optic Festive ree

6SCF 2

Base Grid Mini

(7.7” x 5.5”) 6SCBGM r1Small Gear (22T) 6SCGEAR5

Base Grid Mini 2-Side

(7.7” x 5.5”) 6SCBGM2 r1 Large Gear (30 ) 6SCGEAR6

D11

D12

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:29 PM Page 3

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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 #

r1Jumper Wire (Black) 6SCJ1 r1Illusion Card Holder

6SCMBASE2

r1Jumper Wire (Red) 6SCJ2 r1Mirror Ball

6SCMIRBAL

r2Jumper Wire (Blue) 6SCJ4 r1Slide Switch 6SCS1

r14.5V Lamp 6SCL4 r1Press Switch 6SCS2

r1String 6SCM1S r1Reed Switch 6SCS9

r1Clear Motor 6SCM4 r1Screw PM 3x8 mm

6SCSCREW3

r1Wind an 6SCM4B r6Stabilizer 6SCSTAB

r1Orange Motor 6SCM9 r1Melody IC 6SCU32

r1Gear Insert 6SCM9B r4

90° Vertical Snap Wire

6SCV1

r1Magnet 6SCMAG r2

45° Vertical Snap Wire

6SCV2

U32

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

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:29 PM Page 4

-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).

When installing a battery, be sure the spring

is compressed straight back, and not bent up,

down, or to one side.

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. or

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. One of the small

grids has pegs on both sides and six thru-

snaps. Some projects will indicate that this grid

must be (or must not be) used in a specific

location, otherwise it may be used

interchangeably with the other small grids.

234

How to Use SnapCircuits

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 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.

The 45 degree vertical snap wire (V2) is similar

to V1 but mounts at a 45 degree angle

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.

Some projects use the illusion cards. Separate

them (if they came together), push one into the

Illusion card holder.

If at any point the

illusion cards become to

loose to stay in the card holder you can add a

small strip of paper to insure the card fits snug

in the holder.

Then push the holder onto the shaft of the

clear motor (M4).

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/sc3dmeg

for interactive 3D pictures to help with

building the 3D circuits.

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 6

-6-

How to Use SnapCircuits

The clear motor (M4) will often have the wind

fan mounted on it; simply push the fan onto the

shaft. To remove it, push up on it with a

screwdriver or your thumbs, being careful not

to break it.

This set contains three LED attachments, which

can be mounted on the LED modules (D9, D11,

and D12) to enhance their light effects. The egg

attachment is mounted directly on the LEDs,

but

the fiber optic festive tree must be mounted

using the mounting base, as shown. This is

described in the projects.

In some

projects the mirror ball is placed on the orange

motor (M9).

In some projects a gear is mounted on the

orange motor using the gear insert.---

In some projects one or two components are

attached to a gear using the 3D snaps

Egg

Fiber Optic Festive

Tree

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 7

About Your Snap Circuits®Parts

(Part designs are subject to change without notice).

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. One of the small

grids has pegs on both sides and 6 thru-snaps,

to allow assembly of circuits on both sides.

The slide & press switches (S1 &S2)

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

pressed or “O ”) 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 reed switch (S9) is an electrical switch

that can be controlled by a magnet. It has two

metal contacts close together. The magnetic

field from the magnet makes the contacts

come together, completing a circuit just like

other switches do.

The blue snap

wires are wires

used to connect

c o m p o n e n t s .

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) and 45 degree

vertical snap wires (V2) 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 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.

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.

BASE GRID

SNAP WIRES, VERTICALSNAP

WIRES, & UMPER WIRES

BATTERY HOLDER

SLIDE&PRESS SWITCHES

Battery Holder (B3)

REED SWITCH (S9)

Slide &Press

Switches

(S1 & S2)

-7-

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 8

About Your Snap Circuits®Parts

The melody IC(U32) contains a specialized

sound-generation integrated circuit (IC), a

small speaker, and a few supporting

components. The IC has a recording of the

melody, which it makes into an electrical signal

for the speaker. The speaker converts the

signal into mechanical vibrations. The

vibrations create variations in air pressure,

which travel across the room. You “hear”

sound when your ears feel these air pressure

variations.

A light bulb, such as in the 4.5V lamp (L4),

contains a special thin high-resistance wire.

When a lot of electricity flows through, this wire

gets so hot it glows bright. Voltages above the

bulb’s rating can burn out the wire.

The blue, blink red, and color2 LEDs (D9,

D11 & D12) 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 blink red LED

contains a microcircuit that turns it on and off.

The color2 LED contains red, green, and blue

LEDs, with a micro-circuit controlling them. 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 clear motor (M4) converts electricity into

mechanical motion. An electric current

through the motor will turn the shaft. It can

also be used as a generator, since it produces

an electric current when the shaft is turned.

How does electricity turn the shaft in the

motor? The answer is magnetism. 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 are several 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 orange motor (M9) is a motor with a built-

in gearbox. The gearbox makes the shaft spin

slower but with greater force. Do not try to spin

its shaft manually to generate electricity

because you may break it. The middle snap is

only used for mechanical stability.

SOUND MODULE

MOTORS

LEDs

LAMP

-8-

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 9

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-

SC-3DMEG_Manual.qxp_SC-3Di_Manual_060816 6/19/17 7:30 PM Page 10

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