Elenco XP&trade User Manual

Copyright © 2011 by ELENCO®, All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced by

Project ListingsPart A - Introductory Projects: These projects introduce you to theSnap Circuits®method of building circuits and show how electronicco

How to Use Snap Circuits®Snap Circuits®uses building blocks with snapsto build the different electrical and electroniccircuits in the projects. Each

-11-Project A1 Electric LightSnap Circuits®uses electronic blocks that snap onto a clear plasticgrid to build different circuits. These blocks have

Note: This circuit requires program Electronic Brainto be in microcontroller U21’s memory. This is loadedinto U21 at the Snap Circuits®factory and sho

Project A4 Electronic CounterNote: This circuit requiresprogram Electronic Brain to be inmicrocontroller U21’s memory.This is loaded into U21 at the

Turn off the slide switch (S1). Use the circuit from the precedingproject, but add parts to it so it matches the one shown here.Set the lever on the a

Use the circuit from project A5, but replace the press switch (S2)with the 100Ω resistor (R1). Place a business card or oldplaying card under one end

Set the lever on the adjustable resistor (RV) to the middle.Turn on the slide switch (S1), and wait a moment for thegreen LED (D2) to come on. Push t

Project A9 Counting To The StarsNote: This circuit requires program ElectronicBrain to be in microcontroller U21’s memory.This is loaded into U21 at

Project A10 Angles and DistanceUse the same circuit as project A9, but place abook or other object under the base to create alaunch angle as shown. P

-1-1. Most circuit problems are due to incorrect assembly, always double-checkthat your circuit exactly matches the drawing for it. 2. Be sure that p

Project A11Build the circuit, leavingone end of the blackjumper wire unconnected.Turn on the switch (S1).One LED (D1 or D2) willbe on, the other off.

Project A13Build the circuit, turn on the slide switch (S1), and push thepress switch (S2). The LEDs (D1 & D2) light for a while andthen turn off.

Project A17Build the circuit, but leave the ends of the red and black jumper wiresunconnected at first. When you place a metal paper clip (not include

Turn on the circuit using the slide switch (S1) and move theadjustable resistor’s (RV) control lever around to adjust thebrightness of the LEDs (D1 &a

Project #A21Push the press switch (S2) untilthe motor reaches full speed, thenrelease it. The fan blade shouldrise and float through the air like afly

This circuit shows how a capacitor can storeand release electrical energy. Turn on the slide switch (S1) for a fewseconds, then turn it off. The green

Project #A25 Capacitor Photo ControlProject #A26Modify the preceding circuitto match the one shownhere. It works the same way,but the red LED (D1) sta

Project #A27Turn on the slide switch (S1). If there is light on the photoresistor(RP) then the LEDs (D1 & D2) will be on. Cover the photoresistort

Project #A29Set the adjustable resistor (RV) control leverto the top and turn on the slide switch (S1).Talk or blow into the microphone (X1). Youshoul

IntroductionThe U21 microcontroller IC module (U21) consists of themicrocontroller IC in a socket, and mounted on a Snap Circuits®platform. Do not rem

-2-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]. Custome

Installing Software and Programming CableWindows®XP (or later) or Mac OSX10.4 (or later) or Linux x386 withGTK2.8 (or later), 512MB RAM,500MB of hard-

How to Use AXEpad-30-Installing Software and Programming CableSTEP 2 (Mac Users)STEP 3Build the circuit on the left, and attach the programming cable

-31-How to Use AXEpadSTEP 4Double-click the AXEpad for Snap Circuits®XPTMicon on your desktop (unless youdirected that it be installed somewhere else)

-32-How to Use AXEpadSTEP 6Click Program to download yourprogram to the microcontroller. Thiswill interrupt and erase the programcurrently in the mic

-33-OPTIONAL - TO LEARN ABOUT PROGRAMMING You can edit the program to changeparameters or commands if desired. Theediting procedure is similar to oth

Build this circuit and turn on the switch (S1). Load programBlinkers into the microcontroller using the programminginstructions in project B1. The mic

-35-Build this circuit and turn on the switch (S1). Loadprogram Four Outputs into the microcontroller using theprogramming instructions in project B1.

Project B4 Play a TuneOptional: You can adjust the tempo of the song by changing thesecond number in the Tune command of this program to anywhole n

-37-The microcontroller can be programmed to produce cute soundsin different ways. This project demonstrates some of them. Build the circuit shown; i

This program plays an ascendingsequence of notes for very shortdurations, which combine to makea cute sound. You can change the110 to any whole number

-3-About Your Snap Circuits®XP Parts(Part designs are subject to change withoutnotice).BASE GRIDSNAP WIRES & JUMPER WIRESMOTORMagnetElectromagnetS

-39-Project B6 Random SoundsBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch (S1). Loadprogram Random Sounds or program Random Robotic Soundsin

Project B7 Sloppy SwitchesOptional: -40-The program tells the microcontroller tomonitor input pin 3, where the pressswitch is connected. Every time

-41-Use the same circuit as project B7. Load the programBounceless Switches into the microcontroller (U21)using the programming instructions in projec

Project B9Jukebox with TerminalBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slideswitch (S1). Load program Jukebox withTerminal into the microcontroller

-43-(for two-way communicationwith terminal)Project B10 Launch PadBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slideswitch (S1). Load program Launch Pad

Project B11 Adjustable BlinkerBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch (S1). Loadprogram Adjustable Blinker into the microcontroller (U

-45-Project B12 Basic Light MeterBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch(S1). Load program Basic Light Meter into themicrocontroller (

Project B13 Capacitor DischargeBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch (S1).Load program Basic Light Meter into the microcontroller(U21

Optional: Use the same circuit as projects B14 & B15, but loadthe program Photon Kazoo into the microcontroller(U21). Place your finger just abo

Project B17 Click CounterBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch (S1).Load program Click Counter into the microcontroller(U21) using th

-4-About Your Snap Circuits®XP PartsRESISTORSMICROPHONESPEAKERSLIDE & PRESS SWITCHES RED & GREEN LEDsCAPACITORResistors (R1, R2, R4, & R5)

Project B18 Super Click CounterBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on the slideswitch (S1). Load program Super ClickCounter into the microcontroller (

Project B19 Data LoggerA data logger stores data, usually for later download to a computer.Build the circuit as shown. Turn on the slide switch (S1).

Project B20 Data Logger with CostThis program uses the previous circuit, but addswattage for the light being measured, cost perkilowatt hour, and tot

Project B21 24 Hour Data LoggerThis circuit is a data logger, which calculates the costof electricity used by a lamp or other light source in oneday.

Project B22 Digital VoltmeterBuild the circuit as shown. Turn on theslide switch (S1). Load program DigitalVoltmeter into the microcontroller (U21)u

Project B23 Battery Tester (4V or less)This project is similar to the preceding Digital Voltmeter project, buttests batteries. Modify the preceding c

Project B24 Battery Tester (20V or less)This project is similar to the preceding one, butadds a buffer so you can measure higher voltagebatteries. Bu

Project B25 Clap LightIn this circuit, you turn a light on and off byclapping. Build the circuit as shown. Turn on theslide switch (S1). Load progr

Project B26 Clap MusicThis project is similar to the Clap Light, except here you turn onmusic by clapping. Build the circuit as shown. Turn on the s

Project B27 Test the MicrocontrollerThis project was created to test the microcontroller (U21) andall its connections, but is interesting and fun as

-5-About Your Snap Circuits®XPTMPartsThe NPN (Q2) transistors are components thatuse a small electric current to control a largecurrent, and are used

Snap Circuits®XPTMis an introduction to what you can do withmicrocontrollers, such as the PICAXE®08M IC that you havebeen using. This section is inten

Notes on Logicator• The software may give you a warning about your downloadcable not being installed correctly; don’t worry, your cablestyle is differ

Notes on Programming Editor• When you begin, you will need to select theMode and COM port. Set the mode to 08M.See the PICAXE Getting Started manual f

-62-OTHER SNAP CIRCUITS®PRODUCTS!For a listing of local toy retailers who carry Snap Circuits®visit www.elenco.com or call us toll-free at 800-533-244

SCXP-50 XPTMBlock LayoutImportant: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER.Call toll-free (800) 533-2441 or e-mail us at: help

Introduction to ElectricityWhat is electricity? Nobody really knows. We only know how to produceit, understand its properties, and how to control it

-7-DO’s and DON’Ts of Building CircuitsAfter building the circuits given in this booklet, you may wish to experiment on your own.Use the projects in t

Advanced Troubleshooting(Adult supervision recommended)-8-ELENCO®150 Carpenter AvenueWheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.Phone: (847) 541-3800Fax: (847) 520-