ELECTRONIC PROJECT
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28-130
GOOFY-LITE
Science Fair Goofylite is an amazing device which seems to blink forever on one set of batteries. It will, in
fact, go several weeks without changing batteries, especially when Radio Shack Alkaline Enercells are used. The
neon lamps ordinarily fire at a voltage of 60 volts or more. Since it requires a high voltage to fire them, and since they
discharge rapidly after firing, they can be used to control blinking or oscillating circuits. Oscillation is the principal use
in this particular unit.
Since the battery voltage is only 6 volts, it is first necessary ti build up to the sixty volts required to fire the
lamp. The transistor, Q1, the capacitor C6 and C7, and the transformer T1, comprise the oscillation circuit. This
oscillator circuit converts the direct current coming from the battery to an alternating current. The transformer then
steps up the alternating 6 volt current to almost 200 volts at the transformer’s secondary stage. This voltage is high,
however the current very low and is not dangerous in any way. The voltage then passes through the resistors R1-R5
and is stored in the capacitors C1-C5until sufficient voltage fires a particular neon bulb. The speed at which the bulb
fires is determined by the particular characteristic of the bulb. If all the bulbs are connected alike then the bulbs will
fire at random. If a special sequence of capacitor connection is made, however, the bulbs will fire in sequence. You
have the option of wiring this kit so that it will blink either randomly or in sequence.
Entire Contents Copyrighted 1968 by Radio Shack, A Tandy Corp, Co. Printed in U.S.A
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