Beginners Hobby Electronic Kits

 

Clock Mechanism No solder kits-- Circuit Layout Board LED flasher kit LED multivibrator kit LED sequencer kit SIREN kit Solar Energy Kit Solder Kits-- LED multivibrator kit Cable Polarity Checker Kit Imitation Car Alarm Kit Flashing LED Light Kit LED Stroboscope Kit Cricket Noise Kit Light Sensing Relay Kit Mobile Phone Controlled Relay Kit Metronome Click Kit Pocket-size VU Meter Kit Pocket Roulette Kit Running LED Kit Die Simulator Kit Siren Sound Kit Steam Engine Sound Kit Stereo Listening Kit Temperature-controlled Relay Kit Relay Timer Kit Please Download our "Beginners Electronics Guide" before ordering kits. "Make: Electronics Learning by Discovery" - O'Reilly Component kits for this Book by Charles Platt - click HERE My interest in electronics began at age 10 when my father connected a microphone to an old valve radio and carried it upstairs. We could hear him talking to us through the radio loudspeaker! When he was out of the house, I "borrowed" the microphone and connected it to a loudspeaker and a 12 volt AC transformer. The loudspeaker hummed loudly and the hum was modulated when I spoke into the microphone. This was thrilling. I sounded like a Dalek! I got a couple of large cardboard boxes and constructed my own "Dalek". I crawled inside and thrust a sink plunger out of a hole in the box. Armed with the microphone, speaker, transformer and a long, trailing mains cable, I shuffled up the hallway and frightened my sister. This was power indeed! After that, there was no turning back. I built crystal radios, transistor radios, bulb flashers (no LEDs in those days), valve radios, transistor tester, electric guitar, guitar amplifier, waa-waa pedal, treble-booster, sustain unit, oscillator circuits for morse code practice and for electric organ notes; burglar alarms for car and house; windscreen wiper delay; headlamp washer timer relay... When my father became bored with his hobby, I took over his project, which was the conversion of an ex-army "indicator unit" into an oscilloscope. Then I built two more oscilloscopes. It's a truly fascinating hobby and I still get a buzz when a circuit works first time. I'd like to share my hobby with you, so I'll be providing more kit designs in the future. Meanwhile, browse what we have to offer and don't forget to Download our "Beginners Electronics Guide" PDF eBook - it's free! No-solder kits
Clock Mechanism CLOCK MOVEMENT KIT 85-1430 £3.95 Qty Include 4 AA batteries £1.00 A quartz crystal controlled clock movement kit that is ideal for replacing defective units or for creative clock projects. M8 threaded spindle for securing to clock face Red second hand Hands are secured on tapered shafts with second hand secured within spindle Supplied complete with hands, fixings and mounting bracket Designed for clock faces up to 6mm thickness approx. Can be mounted on a CD crystal case which can be illuminated with LEDs Requires 1x AA battery (not included) Circuit Layout Board
	Our "BredBord" moulded assembly breadboard for laying out electronic circuits quickly and easily without soldering. Ideal for beginner or professional. "BredBord" £6.95 Qty
LED flasher kit - flashes a single LED
	Components including LED, IC, resistors, capacitor. Requires "BredBord", wire and 3v battery or power supply. LED Flasher kit LEKIT2 £4.95 Qty Include "BredBord" £6.95 Include Battery pack £4.25 Include Power Supply £9.95
LED multivibrator kit - flashes two LEDs
	Components including LED, transistor, resistors, capacitors. Requires "BredBord", wire and 3v battery or power supply. LED multivibrator kit LEKIT3 £4.95 Qty Include "BredBord" £6.95 Include Battery pack £4.25 Include Power Supply £9.95
LED sequencer kit - flashes 10 LEDs in sequence (see movie below)
	Components including LED, IC, resistors, capacitor. Requires "BredBord", wire and 6v battery or 6 - 12v power supply. LED Flasher kit LEKIT4 £7.95 Qty Include "BredBord" £6.95 Include Battery pack £4.25 Include Power Supply £9.95
See LED sequencer in action!		MVI_2021.AVI
Siren kit - makes a siren noise
	Components, including transistors, resistors, capacitors, mini speaker, wires Requires "BredBord", and 9v battery or 6 - 12v power supply. Siren kit SIREN1 £7.95 Qty Include "BredBord" £6.95 Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include Power Supply £9.95
Solar Energy Kit
	SOLAR ENERGY KIT 37-0420 £10.70 Qty An introduction to solar energy. The kit comprises: Eight 500mV 100mA solar cells Miniature DC motor Small fan Plus all tools and cables enabling the user to construct a working kit Output of 3.2V may be employed to drive a variety of other small components Twelve page booklet explaining solar energy in considerable detail
Kits which require soldering Flashing LEDs kit
	FLASHING LEDS KIT 70-4138 £5.95 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 A simple multivibrator circuit driving two LEDs. Suitable for many applications including model construction and education Adjustable flashing speed with two potentiometers Power consumption approx. 8mA Dimensions: 30 x 35 x 15mm Components, printed circuit board and construction instructions Battery clip included
	Soldering iron and tools can be ordered from our Tools page.
Cable Polarity Checker Kit
	CABLE POLARITY CHECKER KIT 70-4154 £6.95 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 Check cables for continuity and identify individual wires. Perfect tool to check loudspeaker and coaxial cables LED indication for open circuit, shorts and correct or wrong polarity Push-button operation with auto power Off Low power consumption: 10mA max. Dimensions: main board: 56 x 40 x 33mm, remote board: 40 x 7mm Kit contains all components required including printed circuit board and construction instructions Requires a single 9V, PP3 battery Battery clip included
Imitation Car Alarm Kit
	CAR ALARM SIMULATOR KIT 70-4152 £6.25 Qty Include solder kit £0.95 LED with realistic flash sequence simulates active car alarm system. Activates automatically when the engine is turned off Easy installation with two wires Adjustable sensitivity Low current consumption: 12mA max. (12V only) Comes complete with prewired LED holder and two warning labels Dimensions: 57 x 45mm Components, printed circuit board and construction instructions
Flashing LED Light Kit
	SUPER BRIGHT FLASHING LED LIGHT 70-4164 £6.95 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 A module with two superbright red LEDs giving a powerful warning indication. Ideal for emergency and warning signs, eye-catchers, etc. High visibility 'alarm-active' - simulation, etc. 'Auto turn-on at dark' - mode with adjustable sensitivity On/Off switch Can be operated from 12V supply Dimensions: 55 x 32 x 40mm Components, printed circuit board and construction instructions Battery clip included 9V, PP3 battery, not supplied
LED Stroboscope Kit
	DUAL WHITE LED STROBOSCOPE KIT 70-4052 £7.20 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 Build your own high intensity white LED stroboscope, complete with adjustable speed. Features two super bright white LEDs Powerful flash effect Great for a party, use in scale models or just as an attention grabber Slow/fast selector Speed selector, adjustable between approx. 1 and 60 flashes/second On/Off switch Low power consumption 40mA max. Suitable for beginners Dimensions 545(L) x 32(W) x 40(D)mm Battery clip included 9V, PP3 battery, not supplied
Cricket Noise Kit
	ELECTRONIC CRICKET KIT 70-4006 £7.20 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 Include Power Supply £9.95 Create and simulate a hot summers night with this fun little cricket project. Makes a sound like a cricket Cricket tone automatically starts when it gets dark Repetition, effect and sensitivity are all adjustable Can be used for fun and is small enough to hide almost anywhere Some soldering experience recommended Suitable for beginners Dimensions 60(L) x 25(W) x 10(D)mm Battery clip included Requires an 8-15V DC power supply or a 9V PP3 battery
Light Sensing Relay Kit
	LIGHT SENSITIVE SWITCH KIT 70-4150 £6.95 Qty Include solder kit £0.95 Include 500mA Power Supply £9.95 Automatically switches on at dusk and turns off at dawn. Use to switch lights or draw curtains, switch on alarms, etc Adjustable sensitivity with wide range Delay circuit avoids cycling Relay output: NO/NC 24V/5A max. Power adapter connector Dimensions: 65 x 50mm Components, printed circuit board and construction instructions Requires a 12V DC power supply. If you need more than 500mA, please order separately.
Mobile Phone Controlled Switch Kit
	CELLPHONE OPERATED SWITCH 73-4406 £9.95 Qty Include solder kit £0.95 Include 500mA Power Supply £9.95 A kit of parts to build a circuit which is activated by the backlight of a ringing mobile phone. Turn equipment on and off from a remote location Turn on lights, heating, alarms, etc. No call charges as circuit simply detects backlight No need to modify your mobile Can turn on or off, or on for a selected time Mobile phone not included (obviously!) Requires 12v 100mA (minimum) power supply. (Our 500mA supply is fine).
Metronome Click Kit
	METRONOME KIT 70-4008 £7.20 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 This is a very useful metronome for musicians or for any person who needs a simple means to keep a rhythm. Tempo is adjustable Uses very few components and produces an LED beat indication Adjustable volume and beats/minute with potentiometers Includes speaker and On/Off power switch Some soldering experience recommended Suitable for beginners Dimensions 60(L) x 43(W)mm Velleman MK106 Battery clip included Requires a 9V battery (not supplied)
Pocket-size VU Meter Kit
	POCKET VU METER KIT 70-4022 £6.95 Qty Include CR2032 battery £0.85 Include solder kit £0.95 This is really a great kit. It is a hand-held audiometer that fits into your pocket. Allows you instantly to visualise signal levels from a whole range of different audio sources Built-in high sensitivity microphone picks up the music playing and the LEDs move to the rhythm of the music Surprise your friends in the disco LED bar-graph display 5 red LEDs Incorporated microphone Adjustable sensitivity control On/Off switch Designer enclosure Some soldering experience recommended Suitable for beginners Requires a CR2032 lithium battery (not included)
	Soldering iron and tools can be ordered from our Tools page.
Pocket Roulette Kit
	ROULETTE KIT 70-4026 £11.45 Qty Include 4 AA batteries £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 This roulette kit will be a sure winner with you, your friends and relatives. With a push of a button, the LEDs lights flash in a spinning sequence and where they stop is anybodys guess Enjoy hours of fun with this game of chance 37 LEDs are arranged in a circle Winner tune played for each colour Pushbutton operation Microprocessor technology Auto power off Low power consumption Some previous knowledge of electronics required Good soldering techniques for medium dense boards Suitable for intermediates Battery holder included Requires 3x AA batteries (not included)
Running LED Kit
	RUNNING LED LIGHT KIT 70-4010 £7.25 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 This kit will produce a running light effect. 8 LEDs Different running light effects are selectable (Prog push button) Adjustable effect speed with potentiometer Includes stand-by push button power switch (Off push button) Suitable for beginners Dimensions 95(L) x 40(W)mm Battery clip included Requires a 9V battery (not included)
Die Simulator Kit
	SHAKING DICE KIT 70-4056 £9.95 Qty Include CR2032 battery £0.85 Include solder kit £0.95 A novel die that you don't have to throw or press any buttons, just shake it. Acts just like regular die Lights roll out slowly and flash the last combination or winning number Buy two and simulate a pair of real dice Auto power-off Suitable for beginners Dimensions 36(L) x 36(W) x 32(D)mm Requires one 3V Lithium button cell (CR2032 not included)
Siren Sound Kit
	SIREN SOUND GENERATOR KIT 70-4020 £7.95 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 A novel kit that will generate 4 different sounds. Sounds include police siren, fire brigade, emergency vehicle and machine gun RV1 adjusts sound pitch On/Off switch and PCB speaker included Suitable for beginners Dimensions 60(L) x 40(W)mm Battery clip included Requires a 9V PP3 battery (not included)
Steam Engine Sound Kit
	STEAM ENGINE SOUND GENERATOR KIT 70-4020 £7.95 Qty Include PP3 battery £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 This kit will generate the sound and whistle of a vintage steam engine. Adjustable speed and volume Great for model railroads, radio plays, stage and as a gadget With steam whistle push button Comes with 8 Ohm 5W miniature speaker Suitable for beginners Dimensions 100(H) x 83(W)mm Battery clip included Requires a 9V PP3 battery (not included)
Stereo Listening Kit
	SUPER STEREO EAR KIT 70-4156 £8.75 Qty Include 4 AA batteries £1.00 Include solder kit £0.95 Stereo audio amplifier boosts sound 50 times. Great for the-hearing impaired (e.g. when watching TV) Interesting gadget, science project, etc. With volume control and On/Off switch Dimensions: 62 x 54 x 44mm Components, printed circuit board and construction instructions Battery holder included Takes three 1.5V AA batteries, not supplied. Requires earphones or headphones (not supplied).
Temperature-controlled Relay Kit
	THERMOSTAT KIT 70-4048 £7.15 Qty Include solder kit £0.95 Include 500mA Power Supply £9.95 A kit to make a general purpose thermostat with NTC temperature sensor. Temperature range +5°C to +30°C approx. (+41°F to +86°F approx.) Output relay with LED indicator Relay power rating 24V AC/DC 3A Suitable for beginners Dimensions 54(L) x 62(W)mm x 28(D)mm Requires 12V DC power supply 100mA (minimum) - our 500mA supply is fine.
More Advanced Kits No instructions are supplied with these kits. You work from the circuit diagram and build the circuit on a "BredBord" or solder the components onto Stripboard. Please order one or both of these items with the kit (below).
Relay Timer Kit	The circuit is designed to turn the relay on and hold it ON for one second after seeing a positive going input. To explain that a little better, imagine that the relay is connected so it feeds power to a car headlamp washer. Suppose that the input is connected to the windscreen wiper switch. Each time the windscreen wipers are turned on, the circuit receives a 12 volt input.
Stripboard BredBoard	The timer I.C. will turn the headlamp washer on for just one second then turn off, regardless of whether the windscreen wiper is still on or not. The coupling capacitor, C4, requires a certain amount of time to discharge after seeing an input. So the relay can not be operated again by the headlamp wiper switch until a short time has elapsed. This system removes the possibility of having the relay continually clacking on/off as the windscreen wiper switch is operated. The circuit has other uses, too. The relay can be made to stay ON longer by increasing the value of R2 and/or C2 (which should be a Tantalum type). Note that not all "555" timer I.C.s will operate satisfactorily in this circuit. The TLC555CP is recommended. RELAY TIMER KIT* £4.95 Qty 1 Include "BredBord" £6.95 Include "Stripboard" £0.99 Include solder kit £0.95 Include UK 12v 500mA Power Supply £9.95 *Kit includes all electronic components but no sockets or PCB.