ELECTRONIC KITS

Please Note! Once you have opened these kits, they are not returnable. 
All parts are supplied, except batteries unless noted otherwise.
Kits on this page require assembly which includes soldering and testing. 
Some kits require permission of parties involved before use.

VU METER KIT
A simple, low cost stereo VU meter. Two LM3915 dot/bar display driver ICs are used to drive 2 rows of 10 LEDs (14 green, 6 red) in a moving bar display. This VU meter indicates "peak music power" when used with audio amplifiers. Ideal add-on for any of the amplifier kits.
KIT 89 $23.45 each

3W+3W STEREO AMPLIFIER MODULE
A simple stereo 3 watt per channel amplifier based on the BA5406 power amplifier monolithic IC. Minimum component count. Runs on 12Vdc power supply. Good general purpose amplifier. Dimensions = 67mm x 38mm. Requires heat sink (supplied.) Spec Sheet
Kit 90  $14.25

IR REMOTE CONTROL & DECODER
This kit uses a commercial 14 button remote control, unit to put an active low signal onto one of 14 output pins on a decoder IC. That is, when a button is pressed the pin corresponding to that button goes low. Normally, each of the 14 output pins is high. It is up to the user to use this information in their own circuit where remote control is required. For example, to control up to 14 relays or to control the movement of a robot. We supply all the necessary extra components
required for the decoder IC to function properly. No PCB is supplied. It is up to the user to breadboard their application then make their own PCB. A sample application/test circuit is provided. A 330W resistor & LED are supplied for testing the active low on a pin in response to a button press. Spec Sheet
        We supply three sets of components: 1. a 14 button Infra Red Remote Control unit. It just needs you to add 2 x AAA batteries. 2. a 3-pin Infrared Receiver Module, the Waitrony PIC1018SCL, which converts the modulated 38kHz signal into data pulses. 3. an Atmel 89C2051-24PC microcontroller which we have preprogrammed to decode the IR data pulses from the remote control into one of 14 active low outputs. All required components for the microcontroller are supplied - a 12MHz ceramic resonator for the oscillator, resistor, capacitor and diode for the power-on reset circuit plus two 10K pullup resistors.
Kit 92  $20.95

PC Data Acquisition Unit
Use the parallel port of your PC as a real world interface. It enables your PC to both monitor & control external events and devices. The world is a mixed analog & digital world. With the appropriate sensors the PC can monitor physical variables such as pressure, temperature, light intensity, weight, switch state, movement, relays, etc, process the information and then use the result to control physical devices such as motors, sirens, other relays, servo motors (up to 11) & two stepper motors. Software
Kit 93 $159.95

DIGITAL REMOTE CONTROL OF A UNIPOLAR STEPPER MOTOR

50 MHz 8-Digit Frequency Meter
This kit is a stand-alone frequency meter capable of measuring repetitive signals up to a frequency of 50MHz. It has two frequency ranges (15 and 50 MHz) as well as two sampling rates (0.1 and 1 second). Output is via an 8-digit LCD display. Nominal input impedance is 1MW. The kit is supplied with a small plastic case complete with a screen-printed front panel. It requires a 9-to-12V DC power supply. A standard plug pack, centre positive, can be used. Current consumption is approximately 175mA. Case dimension: 13 x 7 x 4 cm. Documentation
Kit 95 $119.95

4 WATT AMPLIFIER MODULE
Uses the LM380, which solders directly to the PCB so no heatsink is required.
Kit 97 $13.75 each

PREAMPLIFIER
General preamplifier. It has a gain greater than 40dB which is enough for most applications. It can also take input from an electret microphone by adding one extra resistor (supplied in the kit.) DOCS
Kit 98 $8.75 each

Stereo Preamplifier - Tone Control Unit
This is a preamplifier and tone control unit which will make a useful addition to any of our power amplifier kits. It is extremely easy to construct due to the use of a special IC, the Philips TDA 1524A. This contains all the circuitry required to provide up to 20 dB of voltage gain, +/-15 dB of bass and treble control, channel balance, and a switchable loudness contour. Because it uses voltage control, linear single gang pots can be used , which lowers the costs and reduces tracking errors. It also allows for control by switches or microprocessor if desired. Documentation
Kit 100 $19.95

20MHz FUNCTION GENERATOR

FOUR SERVO MOTOR DRIVER
Using a PIC 16C71, a crystal, 8 resistors & 4 capacitors this kit will independently control up to 4 servo motors. We do not supply the potentiometers or servo motors. (We used a Futaba FP-S148 for our tests.) 5V DC power supply required. Full instructions provided. DOCS
Kit 102 $34.95 each

MUSIC BOX ENGINE
The electronic equivalent of a mechanical music box. It is activated by light falling on an LDR. It then plays a range of tunes. The kit can be placed anywhere you want to hear a tune when light shines on it; opening a cupboard or drawer, music box. Kit104.pdf
Kit 104 $11.95 each

18W BTL AUDIO POWER AMP MODULE
Uses HA13118. Kit105.pdf
Kit 105 $11.95 each

50W HI-FI AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER
With Mute & Standby. Uses TDA7294. Kit106.pdf
Kit 106 $32.49 each

LOW-VOLTAGE 1W STEREO AMPLIFIER MODULE
Stereo version of Kit 27. TDA7053. Note there is NO suffix. This is very important. Kit107.pdf and TDA7053.pdf
Kit 107 $9.95 each

Unipolar Stepper Motor Driver Kit
Drives any 5, 6 or 8 lead unipolar stepper motor. Based on the UCN5804B IC. All features of this IC (direction, on/off, pins 9 & 10) are brought out to SPDT PCB-mounted switches. Pulses from a 555 setup as an astable oscillator are used to rough position the motor. Switch to manual single-step mode for final positioning using a tact switch. 4 LED's give visual indication that step has been made. Three run modes supported. Full explanation.
DOCUMENTATION | UCN5804 SPEC SHEET

Kit 109 $19.95

CONTINUITY TESTER

Square Wave Oscillator
Simple circuit to generate square waves of approximately 1Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1KHz, 10KHz, and 100KHz. Documentation
Kit 111 $8.95

Dual Stepper Motor Controller

1W STEREO AMPLIFIER

Dual Temperature Meter.
This kit uses a commercially available 3 ½ digit Digital Panel Meter (DPM) from C&C, model PM-128 to display the temperature reading from two separate sensors. A switch is used to select between the two sensors. The temperature sensors can be connected up to 30 feet (10 meters) from the display using a 3-wire cable. A 2-core screened cable, as used in audio applications, will do nicely. The user must supply this cable. Temperature is measured and displayed in degrees Fahrenheit with the LM34 sensor; degrees centigrade with the LM35 sensor. You can get the data sheets from the National Semiconductor website at www.national.com. Documentation
Kit 120 $44.95 without meter

COMPACT POSITIVE ADJUSTABLE POWER SUPPLY

COMPACT NEGATIVE ADJUSTABLE POWER SUPPLY
±1.5V to 35V depending on input power source. On-board heatsink. Kit124.pdf
Kit 125 $17.95 each

MINI-VOX AND RELAY
Kit126.pdf
Kit 126 $9.39 each

3½ DIGIT PANEL METER
A double-sided board designed to eventually replace Kits 2 and 34. Kit127.pdf and VI203-DP.pdf
Kit 127 $19.95 each

USB PIC micro programmer
The latest USB port all-Flash PIC Programmer. Hardware and software designed by Tony Nixon. No external power supply needed. Only the bi-LED pokes up above the box. 40-pin wide-slot socket supplied. Note: This kit does not come with a ZIF socket but you could use one if you have it in place of the standard 40-pin socket supplied.  Mostly surface mount components. Uses a USB 'A' type extension cable, A-A. Documentation
Kit 128 $39.50

4-DIGIT UP/DOWN COUNTER

InfraRed Barrier/Door Minder
This kit uses an infrared beam to monitor door & passage-ways or any other area. When the beam is broken a relay is tripped which can be used to sound a bell or alarm. Suitable for detecting customers entering a shop, cars coming up a driveway, etc. The IR beam is very strong. Distances over 25 yards can be monitored with this Kit. A 12VDC supply is required to power the kit. A 12V wall adaptor is fine. Provision has been made so that only one power supply needs to be used to power both units. The relays in this kit are rated to switch mains voltages. The kit is constructed on single-sided printed circuit board. Protel Autotrax for DOS was used in the design. Documentation
Kit 130 $24.95

Introduction to LCDs
Learn how to connect a 2x16 LCD to a PC parallel port. First this kit will show you how to write keystrokes from the PC keyboard to display on the LCD. It will show you how to process this data (rotate the string left and right.) All the code is provided. Second, there is an on-board DS1620 to measure temperature. The temperature is displayed in F or C. Just press a button to display either. With the DS1620 you may set breakpoints to turn a thermostat on/off. We provide all the code to do this. Once the DS1620 is programmed it may be removed and placed in another device for temperature control. Many web references are given. • This kit was published in Silicon Chip, 12/2000, k134_sc.pdf. Software - DS1620 Data
Kit 134 $59.95

Step-Up DC to DC Converter

Touch Switch

Two LED Flasher
This kit wires the popular 555 IC as an astable, freerunning multivibrator. In other words it is wired as a square wave oscillator. It has a double ended output connection in which one LED is OFF when the other is ON, and vice versa. SPEC SHEET
Kit 138 $5.49

1W Stereo Amplifier Module
1W Stereo Amplifier Module with DC Volume Control TDA7053A. Documentation
Kit 139 $10.95

12 Channel IR Relay Board
Infrared (IR) remote controls are everywhere. Just about every piece of electronic equipment you can think of has one – TVs, VCRs, DVDs, hi-fi systems. Even the latest cameras have them!
Why are they so popular? The answer is simple – convenience. You can change TV channels without leaving your chair. Or adjust the volume on your stereo system. Or, in the case of cameras, be in the photo yourself without having to find someone else to take it.
This kit comprises a commercial 14-button remote control unit and a 12 channel relay board. All 12 relays are provided on the receiver board – nothing more to add. This makes it very simple to add infrared remote control to any project or existing equipment. Indicator LEDs are used to show which relays are operated.
Kit 142 $79.95 

6W-10W STEREO AMPLIFIER MODULE USING TDA2005
We spent a lot of time getting the tracks right on this single sided PCB to get the lowest possible THD. Getting the separate tracks to the earth pin is the secret. We tried to do a mono version using the same chip but we could not get the THD to acceptable levels so we cancelled it. Kit143.pdf
Kit 143 $12.49 each

Serial Temperature Sensor
A PC controlled 4 channel temperature meter (either deg C or F) using the serial port, a PIC12C509 and 4 x DS1820. No external power required. We think that each DS1820 may be located over 200 meters away from the motherboard and PC. This is an ideal use for old 386 and 486 computers: continuous temperature data logging. Users will have to massage the input data stream to their purpose. It may be dumped into an Excel spreadsheet, or they can write BASIC programs using the INPUT command to grab the readings. As you can see from the photo there is not much to the hardware. Documentation
Software:
1. You can use term.exe our no-frills terminal program to see the data on the screen. Just run 'term 2400' (and you may have to press Esc to start the display.) The raw temperature data will display on the screen.
2. Or you can use some software the developer of the kit has written. Here are the latest versions: ts11win.zip for Microsoft Windows. Tested on Microsoft Windows 95. Unpack the ZIP file into a directory and run TSL.EXE. Test reports wanted for Microsoft Windows 98, and Microsoft Windows NT.
3. ts11dos.zip for FreeDOS or MS-DOS. Tested on MS-DOS 4.00.950 on a 386/25 using floppy disk only, and on a machine with a hard drive. With floppy disk, do not exceed a logging rate of once every two seconds. Unpack the ZIP file onto a bootable floppy or a hard disk directory, then run TSL.EXE. If you have no hard disk partition, ignore the warning message about "c:\cwsdpmi.swp".
Kit 145 $37.95

40-Second Message Recorder with Looping Option
This kit will take any ISD DIP chip from ISD2540 to ISD25120. A switch will loop the first message continuously. Documentation
Kit 146 $29.95

4-Digit Timing Module with Firmware Modules
This kit is the hardware ‘platform’ that is the basis for a number of different timing modules. The hardware is the same for each kit – the only change is the firmware programmed into the microcontroller (uC) that controls it. Need another type of timer – simple, just change the uC chip. We can do custom changes. At this time (8/2002), there are six timer firmware IC’s available.
• K148T1. Simple Photographic Timer
• K148T2. Stopwatch with Pause function
• K148T3. 40KHz Auto Ranging Frequency Meter
• K148T4 Programmable Down Timer counting down in minutes from a max of10,000 minutes
• K148T5 Programmable Down Timer counting down in hours from a max. of 10,000 hours
Refer to the documentation for each specific module to see how they work. The sixth firmware IC K148T0 for a Programmable Down Counter down-counting from a maximum of 10,000 seconds is supplied with this kit.
The other firmware must be bought separately. Please note we do not provide the source code for any of our firmware.
SPEC SHEET
Kit 148 $19.95

USB PIC PROGRAMMER
Parallel ports are slowly disappearing from PC’s and laptops which means that our current PIC programmers are all facing extinction. So this is our first PIC programmer using the USB port. It can also accept input from a serial port at the flick of a switch. DOCUMENTATION "Mac users please note; information of interest in using this device with your Mac may be found here:
Note: Kit does not contain the ZIF socket shown. It comes with a standard 40-pin socket. You may add a ZIF socket if desired and you have one available.

Kit 149D $29.50

EEPROM PROGRAMMER

Audio DTMF Decoder
The kit will detect DTMF tones from a telephone line or via an onboard microphone and display them on a 16 character, single line display. Up to 32 numbers can be displayed by scrolling the display left and right. There is also a serial output for sending the detected tones to a PC. The kit will not detect numbers dialed using pulse dialing.
The kit is controlled by an Atmel 89C2051 microcontroller (source code not supplied nor available.) This kit replaces the old K56 Tone Grabber kit. SPEC SHEET
Kit 153 $33.95 

Four-Digit Presettable Down Counter
Note the kit is a COUNTER, not a timer. A counter counts events - in this case it counts each time the input is connected to ground. A timer counts down in time (hours, minutes or seconds) when the input is triggered. This kit was reviewed in Silicon Chip, April 2001 (k129_k154.pdf). Documentation
Kit 154 $28.95

Dual HI/LO Switched Relay Board
There are many applications where you need quick availability of a relay for connection to a particular piece of apparatus. We found in developing our kits that we always needed to have a relay mounted on a PCB within arms reach. So we thought if we need it then many others probably do too.
Kit 156 $12.50

Rolling Code 2-Channel UHF Remote Control
This kit is a 2-channel version of Kit 180, our 4-channel UHF Remote Control kit. We have simply removed two of the 4 channels from Kit 180 and used a 2-button Transmitter unit. Up to 15 Transmitter units can be learnt by one Rx unit. Press button 1 (the small button) while simultaneously pressing the LEARN tact switch on the main board. You only have to do this briefly for under a second. But note it takes about 15 seconds for the two units – the TX and the RX - to connect and recognize each other. (During this 15 seconds it seems that one and only one keypress of the TX unit will be recognized. Just disregard this. Wait the full 15 seconds until the two units have connected. Do not press the LEARN button again. Just wait 15 seconds.) Note the VALID DATA LED comes on when you press the tact switch. TX units attached to any Rx unit can be unattached by pressing the LEARN button continuously for 8 seconds. The VALID DATA LED is on during these 8 seconds. As soon as the LED goes off then you know that all TX units previously recognized by the Rx unit have now been unattached from the Rx unit. For the full details about the circuit, a full explanation of rolling code and the schematic download the k180.pdf Remember this kit is ‘half’ of K180. Two of the 4 relay positions in kit 180 are removed. Documentation
Kit 157 $37.95

Bi-Polar Stepper Motor Driver
This kit will drive a bi-polar stepper motor driver using externally supplied 5V levels for stepping and direction. These usually come from software running in a computer. SPEC SHEET
Kit 158 $24.95

6V DC XENON FLASHER
Uses on-board EE16 transformer. Uses a neon to trigger the Xenon tube flash. Kit162.pdf
Kit 162 $16.75

12V DC XENON FLASHER
Uses a sidac instead of a neon tube to trigger the flash. Sidacs represent a unique set of thyristor qualities. The sidac is a bi-directional voltage triggered switch. Some characteristics of this device include a normal 95 to 330 volt switching point, negative resistance range, latching characteristics at turn-on and a low on-state voltage drop. One cycle surge current capability up to 20 amps makes the sidac an ideal product for dumping charged capacitors through an inductor in order to generate high-voltage pulses. Applications include light controls, high-pressure sodium lamp starters, power oscillators and high-voltage power supplies. Kit163.pdf and Sidac.pdf
Kit 163 $16.75

TELEPHONE CALL LOGGER KIT
This Data Logger stores over 700 ten-digit DTMF numbers with 16K base
memory supplied (2800+ can be stored by adding memory). Records all buttons pressed during a call. Time and date recorded. Requires a terminal program to download to your computer. Data can then be loaded into Excel. Included is the kit documentation and a copy of the Silicon Chip article 12/2001. This kit was also featured in the June 2002 Nuts-N-Volts article. DOCS
Here is a typical log report:
07-Aug-01 09:12:07,07-Aug-01 09:14:10,23042250
07-Aug-01 09:37:51,07-Aug-01 09:37:55,
07-Aug-01 09:54:10,07-Aug-01 09:54:28,
07-Aug-01 10:12:55,07-Aug-01 10:13:36,23042250
07-Aug-01 10:27:26,07-Aug-01 10:27:47,
07-Aug-01 10:40:38,07-Aug-01 10:41:18,
07-Aug-01 10:45:51,07-Aug-01 10:46:22,230422501
07-Aug-01 10:49:07,07-Aug-01 10:49:14,88888888
Lines with no numbers pressed are incoming calls. This option can be turned off. The last line is opening the remote door to the apartment building. The 8 digit numbers are local numbers. As long as the logger is connected you can monitor who is calling and for how long.
Kit 164 $49.95

Bidirectional DC Motor Speed Controller
This kit allows controlling the speed of a DC motor in both the forward and reverse direction. The range of control is from fully OFF to fully ON in both directions. SPEC SHEET | Silicon Chip Article
Kit 166 $19.95

Versatile PIC Flasher
There is no doubt that micro-controllers (uC) are taking over. Almost every kit we do these days is uC based. Kits which control flashing lights have been a constant favorite for many years. So it was only to be expected that the uC’s would come into this area as well and do it better and cheaper than could be done before. Documentation
Kit 169 $14.95

These are a series of four kits that implement an RF data link. The kits in the series are:
1. K173 – Serial Input transmitter
2. K174 - Serial Output receiver
3. K175 - Parallel Input transmitter
4. K176 - Parallel Output receiver
Each receiver has a 4-bit address set by an onboard 4-way DIP switch. This allows a total of 16 receivers to be used in a ‘network’ with each one being uniquely addressable.
The RF modules operate at 433.92MHz and use “amplitude modulation” to transmit data. This transmission method, also known as ‘On-Off Keying (OOK)’, transmits data by simply switching the carrier signal on and off. They are produced by ‘WenShing’ of Taiwan – datasheets can be downloaded from their website at “www.wenshing.com.tw”.
Each kit contains an Atmel 89C2051 microcontroller that handles all I/O as well as encoding and decoding the data.

RF Data Link Transmitter Serial Input
K173 can receive up to 64 characters via its serial port and transmit the message. The serial port baudrate is selectable from 300, 1200, 2400 and 9600. The data format is fixed at 8N1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit). Two input modes are available as well as input echo if required. An optional destination address can be automatically inserted into the message before transmitting.
DATA SHEET
Kit 173 $34.95

RF Data Link Serial Receiver
K174 will receive any messages sent by K173 or K175 and output the data via its serial port. The data format is fixed at 8N1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit). The data rate is selectable between 2400 and 9600 baud. An optional carriage return/line feed can be appended to the output.
DATA SHEET
Kit 174 $39.95

RF Data Link Transmitter Parallel Input
K175 monitors 8 digital inputs for change. If change is detected on any input the state of all the inputs is transmitted. An optional destination address can be added to the message before transmitting. The pinout of the input connector allows direct connection to a PC printer port.
DATA SHEET
Kit 175 $34.95

RF Data Link Parallel Receiver
K176 will receive any messages sent by K173 or K175 and output the data via its parallel port. The pinout of the output connector is the same as a PC printer port, allowing direct connection to a printer. Optional features are included to control a Centronics type printer.
DATA SHEET
Kit 176 $39.95

Rolling Code 4-Channel UHF Remote Control.
Up to 15 Transmitter units can be learnt by one Rx unit. Press button 1 (the small button) while simultaneously pressing the LEARN tact switch on the main board. You only have to do this briefly for under a second. But note it takes about 15 seconds for the two units – the TX and the RX - to connect and recognize each other. (During this 15 seconds it seems that one and only one keypress of the TX unit will be recognized. Just disregard this. Wait the full 15 seconds until the two units have connected. Do not press the LEARN button again. Just wait 15 seconds.) Note the VALID DATA LED comes on when you press the tact switch. TX units attached to any Rx unit can be unattached by pressing the LEARN button continuously for 8 seconds. The VALID DATA LED is on during these 8 seconds. As soon as the LED goes off then you know that all TX units previously recognized by the RX unit have now been unattached from the RX unit. For the full details about the circuit, a full explanation of rolling code and the schematic download the k180.pdf
Kit 180 $99.95

Rolling Code 10-Channel UHF Remote Control

Kit 182A USB Flash PIC programmer no ZIF socket
Kit 182 is Kit 128 without the ZIF socket. It is thus a Flash ICSP Programmer operating from the USB port. It will be sold fully assembled as most of the components are surface mount. The board is only 48 x 30mm. There are 4 nylon 10mm standoffs to protect the underside. USB 'B' female connector.
Make sure you understand ICSP before you buy it. We had one complaint already from a person who bought the Kit then complained there was 'nowhere' to put the IC! INSTRUCTIONS
KIT 182A $32.95