Very Simple Electronics: Circular Blue LED Kit Build

[@gartmorn]

I'm really pleased to see you're catering for all levels of hobbyists! We all started at this level and can probably remember our first simple project that actually worked. Dry joints, wrong polarity, mistakes when transferring a circuit diagram to veroboard. No luxuries like marked out pcb's! We've all been there and it's nice to give something back! I find these wee videos quite therapeutic!

[@JulianIlett]

Thanks :)

[@GadgetAddict]

lol what trickery is going on at 8:40? You solder the 2nd set of pins and then it jumps back in time before that and you cut the first legs off. Is this a mind trick to catch who's watching closely? :P

[@JasonMasters]

I noticed that too. Obviously he made a small mistake in editing.

[@emerybryant]

lol i noticed as well. not sure if done on purpose or not. lol

[@JulianIlett]

Yeah, that's called getting my shots out of sequence trickery. Which should be impossible because each shot is fully date and time stamped.

[@PeranMe]

Very nice! I've been teaching my nieces to solder, and this little kit, along with your video should be a perfect next step in their education! As always, thanks for sharing!

[@TheWildsourdough]

Great Video Julian. I know Im just a old electronic junkie- and I ain't going to deny it- but it's still fun watching you put together simple kits. I do some of them too.

[@NetworkXIII]

Great video, Julian. I remember back in the 90s when blue LEDs were expensive, glad to see that they aren't anymore.

[@JerryEricsson]

I built a kit the other day here in the RV, parked in the Mojave Desert near Needles California (Home to Spike, Snoopy's brother!) It contained those blue Resistors that are so damn hard to read, so I laid them out, and tested each with my component tester, then soldered them in. Went like a charm, and the device performs as advertised, I now have a nice little oscilloscope built by me, for me. It works a bit better then the little one I built from a Nano, it does a job when needed but the new one is much nicer.

[@nrdesign1991]

Probably a different hfe value on the odd transistor. This makes sure the circuit starts in a more or less certain way.

[@marc6340]

Great video. Always nice to go back to the basics once in a while. I personally would have soldered the two pin connector to the bottom of the board. It would make it more convenient when you mount the project in an enclosure.

[@849hunter]

great video for old guy like me just starting thks!!

[@Laziter73]

I love your kit-build videos. Always so inspirering and very educational when you go through the schematics while you're building. Keep up the great work :)

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

I found a great challenging clock kit. It's got SMD and through hole IC's and LED's. I have tried several clocks and this one is challenging and works when you're done. The spinning clock hasn't worked out. Couldn't program it because the programs are too large for the storage. I got an 8x8x8 cube kit but it didn't come with the plex case. Watch out for that. They are selling these kits as including the plexi but not in the fine print. then still charging full price. I'd like to see some of these kits used for modifying other stuff or adding mods to improve the kits.

[@JerryEricsson]

This is the very first kit I ever ordered, in fact it is in a box that I brought along into the desert this year, even though the little light is about four years old now. I ordered it along with my hand built smart watch kit that I killed when my soldering iron burned a hole through the lcd screen. I sent the seller a note, they offered me a fresh screen to finish the kit with my next order. Sadly I have never ordered from them since. I wonder if they would honor that promise if I ordered something from them again. I don't think I even have the rest of the kit around any more, I remember using the band and case for an ipod player once but it didn't fit well and I think I tossed it. I know I lost the ipod. All that said though, this is a great little kit to learn to solder on, or to practice soldering, I learned to solder back in 1970 at the South East Asia Signal School in Long Bien Republic of Viet Nam, when the Commo sergeant sent me South for additional training, I was there over Christmas, and had the privilege of watching Bob Hope Perform of course we were so far back we had to have binoculars to see the show. I was happy that a buddy of mine in Long Bien had access to a couple of sets.

[@iamdarkyoshi]

Bet you anything they used a different transistor with slightly different specs to start the imbalance required for the thing to run

[@markpolglaze4634]

Yep, that were my thoughts as well.

[@hrawk]

Hey man.. Good stuff. I'd love to see a lot more of these 'simple kit' builds. Being a total noob, I find them very helpful.

[@mackocour]

Lots of simple kit builds, dont forget to do also some advanced ones, like that rotating globe where the leds are on an edge of a pcb

[@JulianIlett]

Trying to work out how to build that kit without the video being 4 hours long :)

[@ItslennyDe]

Love long videos, just do parts

[@rallekralle11]

02:32 *mostly tin, sometimes with a bit of lead added

[@Tjousk]

I assume one of the transistors has a lower turn on voltage or is faster acting, to make sure the circuit actually starts. If they were identical, they could all try to turn on at exactly the same time when power is connected.

[@luispalma6917]

Best answer.

[@Brainstorm4300]

tjousk but then again no two transistor will ever be 100% identical performance wise. So Idk what the real deal is.

[@Tjousk]

Indeed.

[@SatyajitRoy2048]

+Brainstorm4300 The real deal is to start a particular LED when you power the device on. Havent been through the datasheets yet, but the current gain of that odd one is either low or high and thats been deliberately chosen.

[@ColinJonesPonder]

I'm going to be off work later this year for a few weeks following surgery. I intend to build a Hobby Components 8x8x8 LED cube (HCKITS0050) in that time. What about a video on this for more advanced viewers?

[@WayneJohnsonZastil]

You should do a video and post doing it and post it here or is it want help with it?

[@ColinJonesPonder]

No help needed, I've looked into it. Going to build over a 2 week period, board first, one layer a day.

[@andymouse]

did you finish your cube ?

[@steelfabric]

Perhaps it has something to do with how the circuit starts. There is some slight difference between this transistor and the other two which means its set of LEDs will light before the others, and from then on the circuit is up and running.

[@JohnPiperBoots]

@Julian llett - What do you use to secure the PCB board? What is it called and where do you get it? That is a great idea! Thanks. :)

[@andymouse]

BLU-TAK...…….WH Smith's

[@mharding1258]

The reason I believe for the 1 transistor being slightly different... without looking at the datasheets of the two types I would assume, that the 2 same have a very slightly higher base trigger voltage. That would give the oscillator a starting point so that the timing is near perfect.

[@notroop]

What are your thoughts on the transistor differences? I've thought of nothing and I'm all out of ideas.

[@JulianIlett]

I think it's to kick start the oscillation.

[@jasonudall8614]

though probably not the case here Alternative package (pin out) components are available... and mixing them on a PCB is/was considered bad form ..they can get you out of a hole when laying out the PCB

[@Laziter73]

I don't get anything either.. The 2 types are very similar. One could replace the other.

[@Majromax]

I believe that's it, yes. If I'm reading the datasheet correctly, the 8050 has a lower base-emitter voltage and higher gain, so it should turn "on" first to drain that stage of LEDs. This is evident from the video at 17:20 and 18:12 -- when you power it up LEDs 5-8 are the first to (briefly) light up. If the transistors were identically specified, the ring oscillator might start up in an inconsistent state.

[@roberteliassen5020]

Yes, Majromax. The VBE(sat) is lower on the 8050 and it will turn on first making sure the oscillator will run. I would guess the chance of getting three exactly identical 9013 transistors is slim to say the least. That means one transistor would turn on first even if they were all the same type.

[@Totogita]

How would you go about building Jerry Anderson's Terra hawks robot face with LEdDs?

[@eddiespencer1]

"How a component works" could be a good video series for new players.

[@eduardfc]

one different transistor is used to cause an asymmetry and force the circuit to start oscillating. if all the stages are identical no one will start conducting so there will be no oscillation. This behavior is easy to see when using an electronic circuit simulator like spice.

[@ralph77phil]

1 slightly diff transistor so it would reliably start ☺

[@bartoszpucilowski4051]

I'm just guessing but is this has something to do with a Collector Dissipation to compensate the first two transistors current?

[@KARLLARK100]

very well done j for the newbies number one

[@SatyajitRoy2048]

You have now nice two channel scope, so you can show how the oscillation get started due to mismatch of one of the transistor parameter. Even if you use all the same part number for these 3 stage ring oscillator then also one will start the wave first. The manufacturing tolerance is always there. Thats why two transistor multivibrator circuit still works. I am confused with the fact that why some resistors have 5 band and some have 4. So for beginners like me, it would have been helpful if you could show why some of them have 4 and some have 5 bands. how to read their tolerance etc. Finally my though is, its purely an extended soldering practice.

[@kaoshavoc]

I bet the slightly different specs jump starts the whole process.

[@tinker7722]

Could you explaim the circuit? is it intended to have a different transistor?

[@richardboyce4921]

Nice video for the beginners Julian. Ever thought of being a teacher, maybe you could run weekend classes for beginners? Cheers.

[@MegaSerif]

Hi what type is this helpful blue dough ? is it regular play dough for children or something special ? is it heat resistant ?

[@azyfloof]

I came as fast as I could! :D Hope you have a good weekend, Jules :D

[@doublebulbing]

file that under "things she never wants to hear"

[@azyfloof]

Dunno, she might be trying for a baby, and has to rush off for her weekend business trip xD

[@Mark1024MAK]

Azy - I’ll rush and get the tissue then...

[@andymouse]

Julian's sponge day ! could this be a partner to Post bag?

[@bestamerica]

' hi J... this kit can work with 24 LED lights and 6 volts

[@Forssa1]

Checking the LED's "anvil" for polarity is not reliable. It's most commonly negative, but there are exceptions.

[@Brainstorm4300]

Forssa1 I found that in the hard way. Soldered all of em in and some wouldn't light up. Spent awful lot of time on debugging the circuit before realising what the problem was. After that experience I've developed trust issues and always check each led before soldering them in.

[@bilkyasko]

Forssa1 I suppose no method other than testing is completely reliable. Both legs could be cut to be equal, and LEDs don't always have a flat end

[@Forssa1]

The anvil has never been meant to identify polarity. It's merely a part of the construction of the LED, and which polarity it has is arbitrary depending on which LED technology is used. But the flat and different lead length *is* specifically there to identify the polarity.

[@bestamerica]

Forssa1 Checking the LED's "anvil" for polarity is not reliable. It's most commonly negative, but there are exceptions. ' hi F 1... i have one LED circular kit with spray black PCB and white 12 LEDs... very good kit

[@Mark1024MAK]

Most 3mm and 5mm LEDs do have the anvil as the negative, but not all. I have somewhere some where the anvil is positive. Cheap LEDs also may not have the leads as you describe, or the flat as you describe if there was a problem during manufacturing. Earlier in the year while testing a pack of 100 (or was it a pack of 200, I forget) of cheap LEDs, I found one with the polarity features the wrong way round!

[@thehappylittlefoxakabenji8154]

foxy likes your magnifying glass nice build too

[@richard1113]

Are you actually using leaded solder as you said or is this the lead free variety? I haven't soldered in years and a little concerned that lead free might be troublesome.

[@NetworkXIII]

Richard Forester I've found that lead-free solder doesn't flow as nicely as the old 60-40, I find myself having to use a flux pen and reflow in order to get the connection to look right. It is supposed to be safer and less toxic, of course, but they said that about margarine and aspartame too. I generally wear blue nitrile gloves and run a fan on my bench when I solder now, regardless of whether it contains lead or not, as the various fluxes all contain nasty stuff as well.

[@iceberg789]

any plan with a little STM32F103C8T6 board development ?

[@gazzaka]

An astable starts fine because of differences in identical components, but just to be sure, you could use a different transistor lol

[@henninb]

Very nice video Julian

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful. :)

[@bestamerica]

MC's Creations Really beautiful. :) ' i have two good LED circular kits with two black PCBs and 24 white LEDs

[@centaur1a]

Could someone change the LED's to a different color and still work? Or would you need a different circuit design?

[@markflack9191]

You could easily put in different led's, but you might need to change some of the resistors as some led's work at a lower voltage, especially red ones.

[@Brainstorm4300]

Mark Flack unless you're driving em on extremely low voltages that shouldn't be of concern.

[@bestamerica]

centaur1a Could someone change the LED's to a different color and still work? Or would you need a different circuit design? ' hi C... i have one LED circular kit and spray black on PCB and 12 white LEDs

[@Mark1024MAK]

centaur1a - yes, but each group of four LEDs has to be the same colour and type. As as others have said, for different colours or types, the 470 resistors may need changing to a different value. But this does also depend on the intended supply voltage as well.

[@bestamerica]

' hi C... i have 5 kits... LED orange / red / white plus color LED on the center... already in my channgel video

[@bornach]

You got lucky permuting the transistors. Not all NPNs will have their emitter collector base pins in the same order.

[@JulianIlett]

Yes I did get lucky, although I remember reading somewhere that transistor families tend to stick to the same pinout. Like 2N is EBC, BC is CBE and 2SA/2SC is CEB.

[@mikecoughlin7407]

would the different transistor be the starting point for the circuit ?

[@JulianIlett]

I think so :)

[@mikecoughlin7407]

Sweet .... I am very I terested in electronics but have no background in it can you recommend a cool diy kit for me to start with something bigger then this one ??

[@bestamerica]

Mike Coughlin would the different transistor be the starting point for the circuit ? ' hi M C... yeaa this LED kit with 2 different numbers of transistors on the PCB

[@geirendre]

Stick the legs of the components trough the holes in the PCB, bend them to a 45 degree angel on the other side of the PCB, cut the legs at ca 1 - 2 mm above the PCB, and THEN solder them. You get a much better result that way, and the legs are not in the way all the time.

[@matthehat]

I don't like the bent leg method because it makes the component harder to de-solder. If you keep the legs straight the component comes out much easier

[@Saabman89]

you should buy the Knipex 78 03 125 :D great side cutter for fine electronic work

[@ashleighrowe2565]

hey Julian, just wondering, as I'm setting myself up with some arduino development, I've ordered a few Nanos, a few breadboards and jumper leads, but what else do you recommend for a beginner in arduino development? I've used the arduino flower thingy to make a light-up skirt before but other than using prebuilt leds and kits I have no clue XD any suggestions?

[@JulianIlett]

LEDs and resistors definitely, maybe a few potentiometers for analogRead, and I'm a big fan of OLED displays :)

[@ashleighrowe2565]

+Julian Ilett oh yeah, you do seem to love oled displays XD awesome, just assorted resistors and LEDs yeah?

[@SpeccyMan]

I would recommend this kit, especially as it is on special offer at the moment. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161176373189

[@jamessowin2505]

Ashleigh Rowe I highly suggest the Elegoo super starter kit. it's on Amazon. it's an EXACT copy of the Arduino Uno R3. and it comes with a shit ton more parts and projects. I learned to program in C++ just from the tutorials. it is also way cheaper than an Arduino. it is a good quality knockoff, it uses the exact same parts. another thing you might want to get is a small multicolored OLED display. I got one in eBay for $10. it arrived in a little over a week. just search for Arduino OLED display. EDIT: it's on sale too www.amazon.com/Elegoo-Project-Tutorial-Prototype-Expansion/dp/B01D8KOZF4 more stuff www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009OVGKTQ/ref=pd_aw_fbt_147_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P8WCDX2WNYPZ9CJ7WSP9 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1259641635/ref=pd_aw_fbt_147_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P8WCDX2WNYPZ9CJ7WSP9

[@Bob3519]

Well done tutorial for beginners.

[@TheDutyPaid]

I worry about your soldering iron, it spends most of the time heating the spring holder. All modern irons I have used hold around the collar.

[@KennethNicholson1972]

Oooo, I could stick this under my shirt to replace my dodgy ticker, then the kids will think I'm Iron Man, lol.

[@JohnGotts]

I'm glad I have multiple resistance measuring devices because my eyes are not capable of distinguishing all of the resistor colors. Between 4 and 5 percent of people can't. This makes electronics rather annoying for me.

[@Roy_Tellason]

I think that the exact shades used have become more ambiguous since so many of these parts are sourced in Asia these days. Some of the body colors that they use aren't terribly helpful either. :-(

[@Mentorcase]

When soldering components why don't you solder the furthest 1 first then work towards yourself so as to not remelt the ones you have already soldered?

[@Mark1024MAK]

Mentorcase - I normally solder components in order of the height of each component.

[@azyfloof]

I'm guessing one transistor has a slightly different on time, or a slightly different gain, just to make the ring oscillator start oscillating :D No, why do I want to get a ton of transistors and LEDs and make a big long string? xD

[@gregw1076]

Azayles watch the videos from just before christmas, Julian makes a chain of 17

[@azyfloof]

A Walker Oh the christmas lights! I completely forgot about that :O

[@Mark1024MAK]

Azy - ‘cuz you’re just as nutty as the rest of us! 🤪

[@SpeccyMan]

Now hook up a 12 neopixel ring to your little PIC12F675 dev board and produce that effect with some PIC asm, there's a challenge for you. ;)

[@ThatGuy-nv2wo]

Will the LEDs even light at 2V?

[@Hagledesperado]

Probably very dimly. LEDs can glow at pretty low currents.

[@JulianIlett]

+That Guy Not the blue leds. The PCB was probably designed with red leds in mind.

[@ThatGuy-nv2wo]

I was thinking about the forward voltage, not the current. Julian gets it ;)

[@bestamerica]

That Guy Will the LEDs even light at 2V? ' hi T G... i have LED circular kits with 6 volts in my channel

[@km5405]

just put a chart on the wall so you can look up when going through your pile of loose resistors :P

[@rich1051414]

One transistor needs to be deliberately 'out of spec' for the whole timing to have predictable behavior.

[@daverhodes5110]

Such a good tutorial many thanks

[@donaldfilbert4832]

Why don't they all just come on and stay on ? I sense that the single/different transistor somehow causes a timing delay that propagates thru the circuit causing the delay - but I can't quite see how !!

[@Hagledesperado]

I'm guessing it starts first due to a slightly larger gain, a lower base-emitter saturation voltage, or something to that effect.

[@vinceherried497]

also didn't note lowest components first.

[@Mark1024MAK]

Vince Herried - he never does!

[@_who_cares_1123]

is this a single or Double sided pcb?

[@JulianIlett]

It's single sided, so nice n easy :)

[@_who_cares_1123]

Julian Ilett​ Great! I think i'm gonna etch one myself :D Dont want to wait 'till it arrives from China.

[@bestamerica]

E_404 is this a single or Double sided pcb? ' hi E... only one PCB side on the back

[@bestamerica]

hi J I... i have kits with PCBs on the singles sides and double sides

[@gazzaka]

Blue Peter 2017? Here's one I made earlier .... that didn't work either :-(

[@bestamerica]

gazzaka Blue Peter 2017? Here's one I made earlier .... that didn't work either :-( ' hi G... what happen your kit is a not working... try check 3 transitors, LEDs again

[@bestamerica]

' hi J... can this LED circular kit spin backward as reverse or not

[@nor4277]

Cool.video ,I don't have that one ,yet ,have you seen the fm modules ,on eBay I type in on eBay search fm modules ,and found some cool modules and some cool kits ,that might interest you.

[@kikokiki3216]

Hi. IT is posible to make IT slower flashing and how please

[@bestamerica]

Kiko Kiki Hi. IT is posible to make IT slower flashing and how please ' hi K K... only one normal speed... no fast / no slow

[@mahlapropyzm9180]

Three ways: i) lower supply voltage ii) increase the value of the 10k base resistors iii) increase the value of the electrolytic capacitors

[@DepressedNOF]

The only reason I can thing of is to teach newer useres to be precise with component names. (Like: even though they look the same doesn't have to be the same) But It kinda backfires if the circuit still works with "wrong" placing.

[@Tjousk]

woo, out of order edit at 8:41

[@JulianIlett]

Well spotted - it was subtle one though.

[@EncouragingYoutuber]

Julian Ilett why don't you get the syma x5sc (drone) it is about £30 and is a big drone with a camera. The reason on why I want you to buy it is because I've got one but I don't want to take it apart. I think that would make a great video seeing what is inside a drone and seeing all the components. I miss your little drone its so cute.

[@krazywog]

why do you use blue tack for get yourself a set of helping hands

[@JulianIlett]

I've got helping hands, but blu-tack is easier to use.

[@GoScada]

each stage turns its leds off, Julian

[@twotone3070]

With the kit incomplete it caused a tear in the space time continuum.

[@himselfe]

I thought you were taking the piss when you started talking about soldering as gluing... :P Rest of the video seemed genuine enough though!

[@maxtd69]

nice work

[@bestamerica]

Adam Ciolko nice work ' hi A C... yeaa good LED kit... same i have LED circular kits in my channel

[@robinvince616]

The circuit is a bit wasteful on the battery, shorting out the 8 LEDs that aren't lit.

[@bestamerica]

Robin Vince The circuit is a bit wasteful on the battery, shorting out the 8 LEDs that aren't lit. ' hi R V... i have two good LED circular kits with 24 white LED lights in here my channel video

[@Roy_Tellason]

Have you worked out just exactly how much is "wasted" there? Clue: Not much...

[@stephanc7192]

Some comment on the working of this 3 transistor circuit would have been nice.

[@bestamerica]

Stephan C Some comment on the working of this 3 transistor circuit would have been nice. ' hi S C... i have one LED circular kit... 2 different numbers on 3 transistors

[@majdinj]

Non of these ways to identify the LED polarity is reliable. It might be the commonest way to identify the polarity but not 100% correct all the time. The best way in my opinion is to test the LED by 3v coin cell; if it does not light up on this direction, just flip it over.

[@gweliver]

Nice video

[@gazzaka]

I hate watching amputations of legs :-(

[@koromarudademmonodoggo7171]

DEFFECT IN THE LEDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bestamerica]

Koromaru Da Demmono Doggo DEFFECT IN THE LEDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ' hi K D D D... i have one LED circular kit with 12 white LEDs and black spray on PCB... still good kit

[@SatyajitRoy2048]

For beginners like me, you forgot to explain how to identify the LED by its internal shape. Because I needed to identify one of the LED on my PCB where I have no option to identify which leg was shorter than other. Due to non availability of flat edge (its an oval shaped LED) I can NOT identify anymore. It would have been nice of you if you just explained the cathode and anode identification by its internal structure that would have been helped a lot beginners like me.

[@SatyajitRoy2048]

Yes I saw that part 4-5 times in order to hear if there was any details about anode and cathode identification. If someone says there are 3 identifying mark, then where is the identification of cathode and anode? If its anvil like shaped then it doesn't instill anything unless someone says that its the cathode of the LED. The smaller part is the anode. This is the best way to identify any LED without worrying about which pin has greater length or which side has the flat edge. Because it may be an used LED or without any flat edge. So only one technique to remember which will help throughout the life.

[@SatyajitRoy2048]

+John Coops Please do not take all my words so seriously. Everyday I begin a new way of learning new things and that's why I said I am a beginner. I will remain beginner forever. Dont ever assume that I am a novice because I have almost 35+ years of experience in electronics and I am a professional designer. I just tried to visualize myself as beginner (in real sense) to find what information I can gather from it.

[@NetworkXIII]

You can always check the polarity with your DMM if it has a diode test mode.

[@Mark1024MAK]

Network XIII - not all will work with LEDs, especially the higher forward voltage types like blue, white etc.

[@felixcat4346]

A bit more scolarship please.

[@ClaudiupromotionSRL]

Too basic Julian.Your viewers are smarter

[@JulianIlett]

Maybe, but I don't want to alienate those people just starting out.

[@subigirlawd_7307]

Claudiupro I love his kit builds tbh.. I build two so far 😀 thanks to people like julian, clive and a few others

[@Hagledesperado]

A follow-up video that delved a little bit deeper into the circuit would make both groups of viewers happy. ;)

[@JulianIlett]

+Subigirl Forester Thanks, your support is much appreciated :)

[@subigirlawd_7307]

Julian Ilett 😘❤

[@donaldhenke2750]

your videos are .

[@kellybullock559]

Hi

[@TKomoski]

Happy face

[@madhatter3737]

I feel like I'm nit-picking and by no means am I trying to troll anyone but for the love of all that's holy, from a person that's worked with sensitive electronics for over 20 + years, put the leaded pencil away and get yourself a plastic pen pointer its only going to take one oops moment and bad things could happen, for someone that's creates content on KZbin about electronics you first must understand what is and what isn't conductive, yet another Julian Ilett cringe worthy moment.

[@basileus9343]

"Solder mostly Pb" In electronics, hell no. Its fine not getting too tecnical with terms in a "beginners" video but misinform, hell, no.

[@JulianIlett]

Sorry, my mistake, it's mostly tin.

[@TKomoski]

Osculation