AUTOMATIC SIREN KIT

MODEL K-13

Assembly and Instruction Manual

Elenco Electronics, Inc.

Copyright 1989 Elenco Electronics, Inc. Revised 2001 REV-C 753213A

PARTS LIST
Contact Elenco Electronics (address/phone/e-mail is at the back of this manual) if any parts are missing or damaged. DO NOT contact your place of purchase as they will not be able to help you.

RESISTORS
Qty 1 1 1 1 1 Symbol R5 R2 R1 R3 R4 Description 220 5% 1/4W 2.2k 5% 1/4W 4.7k 5% 1/4W 10k 5% 1/4W 100k 5% 1/4W Color Code red-red-brown-gold red-red-red-gold yellow-violet-red-gold brown-black-orange-gold brown-black-yellow-gold Part # 132200 142200 144700 151000 161000

CAPACITORS
Qty 2 1 1 1 Symbol C4, C5 C1 C3 C2 Description .01F Discap 100F Electrolytic 470F Electrolytic 1000F Electrolytic Part # 241031 281044 284744 291044

SEMICONDUCTORS
Qty 1 1 Symbol Q1 IC1 Description Transistor 2N3904 NPN Integrated Circuit 556 Part # 323904 330556

MISCELLANEOUS
Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Symbol S1 B1 SPK1 Description PC Board Switch Solder Roll 24 Battery Snap 9V Speaker Socket IC 14-pin Wire 4 Part # 518013 541102 551135 590098 590102 664014 814620

PARTS IDENTIFICATION
Resistor Transistor Capacitors Integrated Circuit Speaker Switch

Battery Snap Jumper Wire Discap Lytic Socket

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CIRCUIT OPERATION
The heart of the Automatic Siren is the 556 IC. This integrated circuit contain two 555 timer ICs in a single 14-pin dip package. The 555 timer has become one of the basic and extremely successful chips in the semiconductor field. Understanding this device will prove most helpful as you will surely encounter its use many times in the future.

THE 555 IC TIMER

VCC 8

Since the 556 contains two 555 timers, we shall analyze the 5k 555 IC to simplify the study. The block diagram of the 555 6 Threshold chip is shown in Figure 1. The pin connection of this IC is Comp 5 Flip A shown in Figure 2. R Control Flop Voltage In the Automatic Siren, the 555 timers are operated as two Q 5k stable multivibrator oscillators. Figure 3 shows the circuit of Inhibit/ S Reset Comp the multivibrators. The main oscillator is formed by 556B 2 B Trigger and its associated resistors and capacitors. Resistors R3, 5k R4 and capacitors C5 form an RC circuit. This combination determines the frequency of oscillation. If you vary the 1 4 GND Reset resistor or capacitor you will change the frequency or pitch Figure 1 of the siren. This circuit will oscillate at around 2000 cycles per second. The tone will be steady. The output of this oscillator appears on 1. Ground pin 5. The voltage is a square wave. This voltage is applied to the base of an 2. Trigger 3. Output NPN transistor through the current limiting resistor R5. Whenever the output 4. Reset voltage is high, transistor Q1 conducts sending a current through the speaker. 5. Control Voltage 6. Threshold This produces the loud sound you hear. 7. Discharge The second 556A timer also operates as a stable multivibrator. The frequency 8. Vcc is determined by resistor R1, R2 and capacitors C2 and C3. Note that the Figure capacitors on this unit are very large (47F). The 556B timer uses only .01F. This large capacity forces the oscillation frequency to be very low, about .1 cycles per second or 1 cycle every 10 seconds. The output of this timer appears on pin 9. This output is a square wave and therefore is not desirable in our circuit. To make the siren wabble we need a sawtooth waveform. This we find at capacitors C2 and C3. We therefore connect the input of 556B (pin 3) to those capacitors. Pin 3 is the voltage control point for the timer.

Discharge

Output

1 2 3 4

8 7 6 5

Figure 3 TIMER VCO (VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR)

The Voltage Controlled Oscillator is just what the name implies, an oscillator whose frequency is controlled by the amplitude of the voltage applied to its input. As the voltage is increased, the frequency of oscillation decreases. Conversely, as the voltage decreases, the frequency increases (see Figure 4). Figure 4 demonstrates the effect of frequency output versus the amplitude of the sawtooth voltage applied to the voltage control pin of oscillator 556B. This sawtooth voltage causes the frequency of the 556B to wabble, thus giving the familiar siren sound we often hear. As a review, remember that there are two oscillators: a very low frequency oscillator generating a sawtooth, and high frequency oscillator whose frequency is controlled by the low frequency sawtooth. The results are fed to transistor Q1. When the base of transistor Q1 is high, the current through the speaker is maximum. You have now increased your knowledge of 555 timers. As an added experience, try Voltage Output Oscillator 556A changing the sirens frequency by varying resistor R4. It is best to use a 500k potentiometer if one is available. Also try varying the value of R2. This should change the period of the wabble.
Frequency Output Oscillator 556B

Figure 4 -2-

IDENTIFYING RESISTOR VALUES

Use the following information as a guide in properly identifying the value of resistors.

BANDS
1 2 Multiplier Tolerance

IDENTIFYING CAPACITOR VALUES

Capacitors will be identified by their capacitance value in pF (picofarads) or F (microfarads). Most capacitors will have their actual value printed on them. Some capacitors may have their value printed in the following manner. The maximum operating voltage may also be printed on the capacitor. Multiplier For the No. Multiply By 0 1 1 10 2 100 3 1k 4 5 8 9 0.1

10k 100k .01

Note: The letter R may be used at times to signify a decimal point; as in 3R3 = 3.3

First Digit Second Digit Multiplier

103K
100

Tolerance

The letter M indicates a tolerance of +20% The letter K indicates a tolerance of +10% The letter J indicates a tolerance of +5%

Maximum Working Voltage

The value is 10 x 1,000 = 10,000pF or .01F 100V

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CONSTRUCTION
Introduction
Assembly of your K-13 Automatic Siren Kit will prove to be an exciting project and give you much satisfaction and personal achievement. If you have experience in soldering and wiring techniques, then you should have no problem with the assembly of this kit. Care must be given to identifying the proper components and in good soldering habits. Above all, take your time and follow these easy step-by-step instructions. Remember, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid making mistakes and no problems will occur.

CAUTION: WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN ASSEMBLING THIS KIT. Assemble Components
In all of the following assembly steps, the components must be installed on the top side of the PC board unless otherwise indicated. The top legend shows where each component goes. The leads pass through the corresponding holes and the board is turned to solder the component leads on the foil side. Solder immediately unless the pad is adjacent to another hole which will interfere with the placement of the other component. Cut excessive leads with a diagonal cutter. Then, place a check mark in the box provided next to each step to indicate that the step is completed. Be sure to save the extra leads for use as jumper wires if needed.
Foil Side Rx - 100 5% 1/4W Resistor (brown-black-brown-gold)

Mount Part

Bend Leads to Hold Part

Solder and Cut Off Leads

Soldering
The most important factor in assembling your automatic siren is good soldering techniques. Using the proper soldering iron is of prime importance. A small pencil type soldering iron of 25 - 40 watts is recommended. The tip of the iron must be kept clean at all times and well tinned. Many areas on the PC board are close together and care must be given not to form solder shorts. Size and care of the tip will eliminate problems. For a good soldering job, the areas being soldered must be heated sufficiently so that the solder flows freely. Apply the solder simultaneously to the component lead and the component pad on the PC board so that good solder flow will occur. Be sure that the lead extends through the solder smoothly indicating a good solder joint. Use only rosin core solder of 60/40 alloy. DO NOT USE ACID CORE SOLDER! Do not blob the solder over the lead because this can result in a cold solder joint.

1.

Solder all components from the copper foil side only. Push the soldering iron tip against both the lead and the circuit board foil.

Soldering Iron Component Lead Foil

4.

Here is what a good solder connection looks like. Cut off excess leads.

Example 1
Circuit Board

2.

First apply a small amount of solder to the iron tip. This allows the heat to leave the iron and onto the foil. Immediately apply solder to the opposite side of the connection, away from the iron. Allow the heated component and the circuit foil to melt the solder. Allow the solder to flow around the connection. Then, remove the solder and the iron and let the connection cool. The solder should have flowed smoothly and not lump around the wire lead.

Soldering Iron Solder Foil

Poor solder connections occur when the lead is not heated sufficiently. The solder will not flow onto the lead as shown. To correct. reheat the connection and, if necessary, apply a small amount of additional solder to obtain a good connection.

Solder does not flow onto the lead. A hard rosin bead surrounds and insulates the connection. Poor solder connection

Soldering iron positioned incorrectly.

Example 2
Solder Foil Soldering Iron

3.

A solder bridge occurs when solder runs between circuit paths and creates a short circuit. This is usually caused by using too much solder. To correct this, simply drag your soldering iron across the solder bridge as shown.

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ASSEMBLE COMPONENTS TO THE PC BOARD

B1 - Battery Snap C1 - 100F Electrolytic Cap. (see Figure A) C5 - .01F Capacitor R4 - 100k 5% 1/4W Resistor (brown-black-yellow-gold) S1 - Slide Switch C4 - .01F Capacitor R2 - 2.2k 5% 1/4W Resistor (red-red-red-gold) C3 - 470F Electrolytic Cap. (see Figure A) J2 - Jumper Wire (see Figure B) IC Socket IC1 - 556 Integrated Circuit (see Figure C) C2 - 1000F Electrolytic Cap. (see Figure A) R1 - 4.7k 5% 1/4W Resistor (yellow-violet-red-gold) J1 - Jumper Wire (see Figure B) R5 - 220 5% 1/4W Resistor (red-red-brown-gold) R3 - 10k 5% 1/4W Resistor (brown-black-orange-gold) Q1 - 2N3904 Transistor (see Figure D) SPK1 - Speaker (see Figure E) Red Black

Figure D
Mount the transistor with the flat side in the same direction as shown on the PC board. Solder and cut off the excess leads.

Flat

Figure A
Electrolytic capacitors have polarity. Be sure to mount them with the negative (--) lead (marked on side) in the correct hole.

Figure B
Use a discarded resistor lead to form a jumper wire.

Figure E
Strip 1/8 of insulation off of both ends of the 4 inch wires. Solder a wire to each lug of the speaker and then insert the other end of the wires into the PC board in the position shown.

Figure C
Insert the IC socket into the PC board with the notch in the direction shown on the top legend. Solder the IC socket into place. Insert the IC into the socket with the notch in the same direction as the notch on the socket.

Polarity Marking

Notch

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TROUBLESHOOTING
Contact Elenco Electronics if you have any problems. DO NOT contact your place of purchase as they will not be able to help you. 1. One of the most frequently occurring problems is poor solder connections. a) Tug slightly on all parts to make sure that they are indeed soldered. b) All solder connections should be shiny. Resolder any that are not. c) Solder should flow into a smooth puddle rather than a round ball. Resolder any connection that has formed into a ball. d) Have any solder bridges formed? A solder bridge may occur if you accidentally touch an adjacent foil by using too much solder or by dragging the soldering iron across adjacent foils. Break the bridge with your soldering iron.

REMEDY
1. Make sure you are using a fresh 9-volt battery. 2. No sound - Be sure Q1 is installed correctly, with the flat side in the same direction as shown in the pictorial diagram. 3. Be sure C1, C2, and C3 are installed correctly, noting the polarity.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Foil Side of PC Board

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Elenco Electronics, Inc.

150 W. Carpenter Avenue Wheeling, IL 60090 (847) 541-3800 http://www.elenco.com e-mail: elenco@elenco.com