Heart Kit Tutorial

Nothing says Staylin' Alive like a heart beat! Build this fun kit and show it off to all of your friends. By bumping the PCB, you will light up an LED that will fade out, visualizing a heart beat.

Special thanks goes out to @highenergybeams for designing this kit and allowing us to use the design in our subscription boxes! Check out this video interview with him about electronics!

 

To purchase this kit, click here
Heart Kit
Heart_Kit


First, you should refresh yourself on soldering safety!

WARNING: SOLDERING IRONS ARE HOT.  SOLDERING IRONS ARE NOT TOYS.  ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHILE USING A SOLDERING IRON.


Sensor → This is a SW-18015P Vibration Sensor with high sensitivity.

Transistor → The transistor allows us to amplify the charge from the capacitor to turn on the LED and fade it out.

Preparation

Count all of your parts and verify everything is in your kit.

Item
Quantity
Description
100K Resistor
1
Brown Black Yellow
Red LED
1
Red Dome - Long Leg is Positive
1uF Capacitor
1
Large Black Cylinder with White Stripe
Vibration Sensor
1
Black Cylinder with one leg larger than the other
Transistor
1
3 pin and black
Lanyard
1
Black Lanyard
Battery Holder
1
2 Pin Black Battery Holder
Battery
1
CR2032 Battery
PCB
1
Printed Circuit Board


Step 1

Locate the 100k ohm resistor. Bend the leads and install into the location marked R1 (100k).

R1_100K

Step 2

Take the transistor, bend the legs slightly outward, and install into the Q1 location, labeled 2N3904. Be sure to align it correctly.

Transistor

Step 3

Bend the legs 90 degrees on the vibration sensor, and install it into the hole on the right side of the PCB. Be sure to align the legs into the correct holes based on size.

Vibration_Sensor

Step 4

Install the Red LED into the center of the board, making sure to install the LONG LEG into the + marked hole. If you install the LED Backwards, it will NOT light up.

LED

Step 5

Install the 1uF capacitor into the location directly above the transistor. BE SURE to install the white stripe leg into the white stripe hole marked on the PCB.

Capacitor

Step 6

Flip the PCB over and install the battery holder. Solder each pin on the front of the PCB.

Battery

Step 7

Install the battery, and tap the PCB. Your LED should light up and then fade out, simulating a heart beat. Clip the lanyard into the hole on the PCB, and go show off your kit to everyone! Thanks for hanging out with us and building another fun kit!

Heart_Kit


Schematic
schematic