Heart-Shaped LED Chaser (Kit)

Name: Heart-Shaped LED Chaser (Kit)
SKU: 1887
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.62 (6 reviews)

(6 Reviews)

The twinkly love token that helps you learn to solder.

Designed by Magic Smoke in United States of America

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The twinkly love token that helps you learn to solder.

Kit Contents

1x Heart-shaped red PCB (2" x 2", 50 x 50 mm)
10x ultra bright red LEDs (5 mm)
1x CD4017B decade counter + DIP16 socket
1x NE555 timer + DIP8 socket
1x 100 K trimmer resistor (3362P-1-204LF)
3x 100 nF capacitors (2.5 mm pitch)
1x 1 uF capacitor (5 mm pitch)
3x 10 K resistors
1x Clip for 9 V PP3 battery (standard version) or 1x Holder for 2x CR2032 coin cells with switch (slimline version)

What else would you like to know? The original design was featured in MAKE magazine. All materials are Lead Free and compliant with RoHS safety specifications. Batteries not included.

Assembly Instructions

Click this link for a step-by-step tutorial.

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.67)

Documentation: (4.67)

Shipping: (4.67)

Communication: (4.50)

Eric | Feb. 20, 2020

Very Nice Little Kit

An easy-to-assemble kit. (It probably helped that I'm an electrical engineer for a living and did it with a $1,200 Metcal soldering iron and a $4,000 stereotactic microscope, and just prior to doing this, I was soldering a TQFP-44 package on a microcontroller board. But still, I'd rate this as a kit a novice could put together without too much difficulty. I used lots of liquid flux and washed with isopropanol afterward, and the solder joints were quite nice, indicating that the land patterns on the board were good. PCB quality was also high.)

The design was good, and you can never go wrong with a 555 timer circuit. That it can run from a 9V battery without regulation was a nice bonus.

If I had to design one myself, since a red LED typically turns on at 1.7VDC, I might come up with something that'd run on a small microcontroller with internal regulation and could be powered by a coin cell. That'd make turning it into a pendant more practical. But still, for a straightforward design for an amateur to put together, this one was pretty good.

And shipping was quick, so I plenty of time to put it together for Valentine's Day and give it to my sweetie to underscore the fact that she's dating a dork.

Response from Magic Smoke | March 2, 2020

I'm glad it got to you in time, Eric. As a fellow dork, I am jealous of your soldering setup. A coin cell pendant is a wonderful suggestion!

Kathy | Feb. 18, 2020

I heart this heart!

Many soldering projects are just exercises in assembling electric circuits. This adorable project really gives you a lovely LED blinking heart-shaped piece to display or gift a loved one. It’s a fun soldering exercise that makes a cool present and a great conversation piece!

I loved these so much, I bought 10 kits. These will be a real hit with kids or adults or anyone else who wants a “soldering night out”! Great party activity!

Gary | Nov. 24, 2017

Heart LED Chaser

First of all I found the boards well laid out and Made of Metal is a Plus , However I wasn't real fond of the Pads , there Way to small and I had a hard time getting the solder to stick ... And the shipping time was a little too long . But I would still give 4 Stars ****

Pete | May 15, 2017

Great kit!

Bought several to use as base for Mother's Day gifts. Added foam heart with picture of grandson on the front. Big hit with mom and grandma!

Steve | Feb. 7, 2017

Fun kit!

Arrived today, I only ordered it few days ago. Detailed instructions and good soldering practice. Thanks!

Greg | Feb. 1, 2017

Electric Valentine Heart

I ordered three of these hearts. They arrived rather quickly. When they shipped I received them in four days, including the weekend. I picked them up at the mailbox while on the way to orchestra rehearsal. The next day (today) after work I got to really check them out.
They come nicely packed in plastic zip bags. Some of the items are in anti-static bags. Everything was in a bubble wrap mailing envelope.
The instructions for putting them together are available on the description page/order page. I didn't need them, but they are step-by-step with pictures. You can't go wrong. I soldered two of them together before dinner.
The circuit boards are nice and thick. They are larger than I expected, which is really nice.

I think that if you want to teach a youngster how to solder, this would be a good project for that. They would end up with a nice gift for mom, grandma, or that special person.

I am going to order a few more because I like them that much. I gave one to my wife tonight. She really likes it. My niece was visiting and she thinks it is a great looking piece of art.

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