K37M - 5 LED Multi Sequence Flasher

K52M - 5 LED Random Sequence Flasher
Very small Chip-On-Board PCB just 15mm x 8mm. 3V supply. 5 LEDs flash in sequence. Push-on switch toggles the flashing sequence on. A second push is required to turn the flashing sequence off. Ideal for model railways. Tape up two 1.5V button cells with the PCB. Spare COB PCB supplied. Good introduction to the electronics in today's toys and games. Motherboard supplied to mount all components.

K163 - 12V DC Xenon Strobe
A simple kit to trigger a high voltage xenon flashtube using a 12VDC supply. The flash rate can be varied between 1 and 2 flashes per second using an onboard potentiometer. Component value changes can move the flash rate range faster or slower.

Uses a sidac instead of a neon tube to trigger the flash. The sidac is a bi-directional voltage triggered switch. Some characteristics of this device include a normal 95 to 330 volt switching point, negative resistance range, latching characteristics at turn-on and a low on-state voltage drop. One cycle surge current capability up to 20 amps makes the sidac an ideal product for dumping charged capacitors through an inductor in order to generate high-voltage pulses. Applications include light controls, high-pressure sodium lamp starters, power oscillators and high-voltage power supplies.

K169 - Versatile PIC Flasher
Enhance your Christmas decorations or simply brighten your childrens' bedroom ceiling with this versatile PIC-powered flasher display. Creates a number of different effects and powers up to eight channels of LEDs or miniature low voltage filament bulbs. Can be added to almost any Christmas decoration or make your own design. Safe low voltage operation from a suitable mains adaptor.

This kit can be used to flash from 1 to 176 LEDs. The kit is supplied with 8 superbright red LEDs and 8 green LEDs. The LEDs can be arranged in any pattern as required. The board produces a random pattern and uses an onboard DIP switch to select speed (fast, medium fast, medium slow, slow), modulation (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%) and profile (smooth, flash).

This kit is based on the Versatile PIC Flasher by Steve Challinor, EPE Magazine, December 2002. The design has been modifed to use a 2803A driver chip instead of all the transistor/resistor combinations in the original. This not only allows for quicker and easier construction but even more LEDs than the original circuit. The PIC source code and HEX file is available here (ZIP file).

K191 - 3 Channel RGB LED Controller
This kit is a versatile LED control module. It provides 3 high current channels to create light effects for presentations, parties, etc. The module includes preprogrammed light sequences and can be used as a standalone LED controller.A simple command set allows easy module control via a serial interface to your microcontroller or PC. Ideal for use with flexible LED light strips.

Windows software provides module control from a PC and and is used to create custom user-editable sequences. Use a USB-to-Serial converter or straight-through 9-way serial cable to connect the LED controller to a PC.

Key Features

• 3 high current channels with independent control
• Suitable for common anode RGB LED strips, LEDs and incandescent bulbs
• 6 preprogrammed light sequences with hard transition effects (running light, stroboscope, random colors, etc) and smooth effects (color change, slow on/off, etc).
• Custom user-editable sequence
• Wide-range effect spped adjust
• Memory for last selected sequence and user-editable sequence
• Serial RS232 and TTL interface to PC and/or microcontroller
• Addressable - multiple modules can be connected with independent control for each module
• Windows software to control module from PC and download user-editable sequence
• Small form factor - 2.2" x 1.55" (56mm x 39mm)

Specifications
Operating Voltage		12VDC (nominal)
Channel Current			5A max, 12A max for all 3 channels
LED PWM frequency	480Hz
LED intensity control	250 intensity levels/channel
Comms Interface		Serial RS232 and TTL, 9600 baud, 8N1, no handshaking

K192 - Serial LCD Controller

The LCD backlight and contrast may be adjusted under program control to compensate for differing lighting conditions and viewing angles.
NOTE: The supplied LCD does not have backlighting. User must supply a backlit LCD if this feature is required.

The module supports 2 interfaces:
• Serial RS232 interface
• Serial TTL interface

The module has the following features:
• Communicates over serial interface with software controlled speed
• 32 Byte buffer for messages received via communication interface
• Up to 8 custom characters can be defined
• Built in commands for drawing bar graphs
• LCD Backlighting controlled via software, has 254 brightness levels
• LCD Contrast controlled via software, has 254 contrast levels
• 4 digital outputs
• Save the basic settings in module internal EEPROM

A simple Windows control program is provided to enable manual setting of each of the features of the module. It allows the user to quickly test the module and get an idea of how each feature looks and works.