Elenco Electronic Playground 50-in-1 Experiments - Manual (Page 8)

EXPERIMENT #1: The Light Bulb
First, you need a 9V battery (alkaline is best). Fold out
the the battery holder cutouts and snap the battery into
its clip. Always remove the battery from its clip if you
won’t be using your Playground for a while.
Your Electronic Playground consists of electronic parts
connected to springs and mounted on a cardboard panel.
You will use wires to connect these springs together to
form a circuit. You are provided with several different
lengths of wires, and it is usually best to use the shortest
length of wire that comfortably reaches between two
springs so that your wiring appears less confusing and
easier to check. Notice that each spring has a number
next to it. For each circuit we will tell you the spring
numbers to connect in order to build the circuit. And as
you build each circuit you will slowly learn more and more
about electronics.
Enough talk, let’s start building your first circuit. To
connect a wire to a spring, bend the spring back to one
side with one finger and slip the metal end of the wire into
the spring; let go of the spring and it should clamp the
wire firmly in place. Tug lightly on the wire to make sure
you have a secure connection. And be sure the spring
touches the metal portion of the wire, the colored plastic
insulation doesn’t count. To remove a wire, bend the
spring and pull the wire away. When you have two or
more wires connecting to the same spring, make sure
that one wire does not come loose while you connect the
others. This will be easier if you connect the wires on
different sides of the spring.
1 2 3
-8-
Now connect the wires for this circuit
according to the list below, which we’ll call
the Wiring Checklist. When you’re
finished your wiring should look like the
diagram shown here:
Wiring Checklist:
o 27-to-56
o 55-to-45
o 44-to-3
o 4-to-26
Be sure all your wires are securely in
place and not loose. Also make sure the
metal in the wires is only touching the
spring and wires that it is connected to,
and not to any nearby springs or other
wires.