AUTOMATIC SIREN KIT

MODEL K-13

Assembly and Instruction Manual

Elenco Electronics, Inc.

Copyright 1989 Elenco Electronics, Inc.

Revised 2001

REV-C

753213A

PARTS LIST
Contact Elenco Electronics (address/phone/e-mail is at the back of this manual) if any parts are missing or
damaged. DO NOT contact your place of purchase as they will not be able to help you.

RESISTORS
Qty
1
1
1
1
1

Symbol
R5
R2
R1
R3
R4

Description
220 5% 1/4W
2.2k 5% 1/4W
4.7k 5% 1/4W
10k 5% 1/4W
100k 5% 1/4W

Color Code
red-red-brown-gold
red-red-red-gold
yellow-violet-red-gold
brown-black-orange-gold
brown-black-yellow-gold

Part #
132200
142200
144700
151000
161000

CAPACITORS
Qty
2
1
1
1

Symbol
C4, C5
C1
C3
C2

Description
.01F Discap
100F Electrolytic
470F Electrolytic
1000F Electrolytic

Part #
241031
281044
284744
291044

Qty
1
1

Symbol
Q1
IC1

Description
Transistor 2N3904 NPN
Integrated Circuit 556

Qty
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

Symbol

Description
PC Board
Switch
Solder Roll 24
Battery Snap 9V
Speaker
Socket IC 14-pin
Wire 4

SEMICONDUCTORS
Part #
323904
330556

MISCELLANEOUS
S1
B1
SPK1

Part #
518013
541102
551135
590098
590102
664014
814620

PARTS IDENTIFICATION
Resistor

Transistor

Capacitors

Integrated
Circuit

Speaker

Switch

Battery Snap
Jumper Wire
Discap

Lytic

-1-

Socket

CIRCUIT OPERATION
The heart of the Automatic Siren is the 556 IC. This integrated circuit contain two 555 timer ICs in a single
14-pin dip package. The 555 timer has become one of the basic and extremely successful chips in the
semiconductor field. Understanding this device will prove most helpful as you will surely encounter its use
many times in the future.

THE 555 IC TIMER

VCC 8

Since the 556 contains two 555 timers, we shall analyze the
5k
555 IC to simplify the study. The block diagram of the 555
6
Threshold
chip is shown in Figure 1. The pin connection of this IC is
Comp
5
Flip
A
shown in Figure 2.
R
Control
Flop
Voltage
In the Automatic Siren, the 555 timers are operated as two
Q
5k
stable multivibrator oscillators. Figure 3 shows the circuit of
Inhibit/
S
Reset
Comp
the multivibrators. The main oscillator is formed by 556B
2
B
Trigger
and its associated resistors and capacitors. Resistors R3,
5k
R4 and capacitors C5 form an RC circuit. This combination
determines the frequency of oscillation. If you vary the
1
4
GND
Reset
resistor or capacitor you will change the frequency or pitch
Figure 1
of the siren. This circuit will oscillate at around 2000 cycles
per second. The tone will be steady. The output of this oscillator appears on 1. Ground
pin 5. The voltage is a square wave. This voltage is applied to the base of an 2. Trigger
3. Output
NPN transistor through the current limiting resistor R5. Whenever the output 4. Reset
voltage is high, transistor Q1 conducts sending a current through the speaker. 5. Control Voltage
6. Threshold
This produces the loud sound you hear.
7. Discharge
The second 556A timer also operates as a stable multivibrator. The frequency 8. Vcc
is determined by resistor R1, R2 and capacitors C2 and C3. Note that the
Figure
capacitors on this unit are very large (47F). The 556B
timer uses only .01F. This large capacity forces the
oscillation frequency to be very low, about .1 cycles per
second or 1 cycle every 10 seconds. The output of this
timer appears on pin 9. This output is a square wave
and therefore is not desirable in our circuit. To make the
siren wabble we need a sawtooth waveform. This we
find at capacitors C2 and C3. We therefore connect the
input of 556B (pin 3) to those capacitors. Pin 3 is the
voltage control point for the timer.

Discharge

Output

Figure 3
TIMER VCO (VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR)
The Voltage Controlled Oscillator is just what the name implies, an oscillator whose frequency is controlled by
the amplitude of the voltage applied to its input. As the voltage is increased, the frequency of oscillation
decreases. Conversely, as the voltage decreases, the frequency increases (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 demonstrates the effect of frequency output versus the amplitude of the sawtooth voltage applied to
the voltage control pin of oscillator 556B. This sawtooth voltage causes the frequency of the 556B to wabble,
thus giving the familiar siren sound we often hear.
As a review, remember that there are two oscillators: a very low frequency oscillator generating a sawtooth, and
high frequency oscillator whose frequency is controlled by the low frequency sawtooth.
The results are fed to transistor Q1. When the base of transistor Q1 is high, the current
through the speaker is maximum.
You have now increased your knowledge of 555 timers. As an added experience, try Voltage Output Oscillator 556A
changing the sirens frequency by varying resistor R4. It is best to use a 500k
potentiometer if one is available. Also try varying the value of R2. This should change
the period of the wabble.
Frequency Output Oscillator 556B

Figure 4
-2-

IDENTIFYING RESISTOR VALUES

Use the following information as a guide in properly identifying the value of resistors.

BANDS
2

Multiplier

Tolerance

IDENTIFYING CAPACITOR VALUES

Capacitors will be identified by their capacitance value in pF (picofarads) or F (microfarads). Most capacitors will have
their actual value printed on them. Some capacitors may have their value printed in the following manner.
The maximum operating voltage may also be printed on the capacitor.
Multiplier

For the No.

Multiply By

10

100

1k

Note: The letter R may be used at times

to signify a decimal point; as in 3R3 = 3.3

10k 100k .01

9
0.1

First Digit
Second Digit
Multiplier

103K

Tolerance

100

The letter M indicates a tolerance of +20%

The letter K indicates a tolerance of +10%
The letter J indicates a tolerance of +5%

Maximum Working Voltage

The value is 10 x 1,000 = 10,000pF or .01F 100V

-3-

CONSTRUCTION
Introduction
Assembly of your K-13 Automatic Siren Kit will prove to be an exciting project and give you much satisfaction and personal achievement.
If you have experience in soldering and wiring techniques, then you should have no problem with the assembly of this kit. Care must be
given to identifying the proper components and in good soldering habits. Above all, take your time and follow these easy step-by-step
instructions. Remember, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid making mistakes and no problems will occur.

CAUTION: WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN ASSEMBLING THIS KIT.

Assemble Components
In all of the following assembly steps, the components must be installed on the top side of the PC board unless otherwise indicated. The
top legend shows where each component goes. The leads pass through the corresponding holes and the board is turned to solder the
component leads on the foil side. Solder immediately unless the pad is adjacent to another hole which will interfere with the placement
of the other component. Cut excessive leads with a diagonal cutter. Then, place a check mark in the box provided next to each step to
indicate that the step is completed. Be sure to save the extra leads for use as jumper wires if needed.
Foil Side
Rx - 100 5% 1/4W Resistor
(brown-black-brown-gold)

Mount Part

Bend Leads to Hold Part

Solder and Cut Off Leads

Soldering
The most important factor in assembling your automatic siren is good soldering techniques. Using the proper soldering iron is of prime
importance. A small pencil type soldering iron of 25 - 40 watts is recommended. The tip of the iron must be kept clean at all times
and well tinned. Many areas on the PC board are close together and care must be given not to form solder shorts. Size and care of
the tip will eliminate problems.
For a good soldering job, the areas being soldered must be heated sufficiently so that the solder flows freely. Apply the solder
simultaneously to the component lead and the component pad on the PC board so that good solder flow will occur. Be sure that the
lead extends through the solder smoothly indicating a good solder joint. Use only rosin core solder of 60/40 alloy.
DO NOT USE ACID CORE SOLDER! Do not blob the solder over the lead because this can result in a cold solder joint.

1.

Solder all components from

the copper foil side only.
Push the soldering iron tip
against both the lead and the
circuit board foil.

Soldering Iron

4.

Component Lead
Foil

Here is what a good solder

connection looks like. Cut
off excess leads.

Example 1
Circuit Board

2.

3.

First apply a small amount of

solder to the iron tip. This
allows the heat to leave the
iron and onto the foil.
Immediately apply solder to
the opposite side of the
connection, away from the
iron.
Allow the heated
component and the circuit
foil to melt the solder.
Allow the solder to flow
around the connection.
Then, remove the solder and
the iron and let the
connection cool. The solder
should have flowed smoothly
and not lump around the wire
lead.

Poor solder connections occur

when the lead is not heated
sufficiently. The solder will not
flow onto the lead as shown. To
correct. reheat the connection
and, if necessary, apply a small
amount of additional solder to
obtain a good connection.

Soldering Iron
Solder
Foil

Example 2
Solder

Soldering Iron

Foil

-4-

A solder bridge occurs when

solder runs between circuit
paths and creates a short
circuit. This is usually caused
by using too much solder. To
correct this, simply drag your
soldering iron across the
solder bridge as shown.

Solder does not flow onto the

lead. A hard rosin bead
surrounds and insulates the
connection.
Poor solder
connection

Soldering iron
positioned incorrectly.

ASSEMBLE COMPONENTS TO THE PC BOARD

B1 - Battery Snap
C1 - 100F Electrolytic Cap.
(see Figure A)
C5 - .01F Capacitor
R4 - 100k 5% 1/4W Resistor
(brown-black-yellow-gold)
S1 - Slide Switch
Black

Red

C4 - .01F Capacitor
R2 - 2.2k 5% 1/4W Resistor
(red-red-red-gold)
C3 - 470F Electrolytic Cap.
(see Figure A)
J2 - Jumper Wire
(see Figure B)
IC Socket
IC1 - 556 Integrated Circuit
(see Figure C)
C2 - 1000F Electrolytic Cap.
(see Figure A)
R1 - 4.7k 5% 1/4W Resistor
(yellow-violet-red-gold)
J1 - Jumper Wire
(see Figure B)

Figure D
Mount the transistor with the
flat side in the same direction
as shown on the PC board.
Solder and cut off the excess
leads.

R5 - 220 5% 1/4W Resistor

(red-red-brown-gold)
R3 - 10k 5% 1/4W Resistor
(brown-black-orange-gold)
Q1 - 2N3904 Transistor
(see Figure D)

Flat

SPK1 - Speaker
(see Figure E)

Figure A
Electrolytic capacitors have
polarity. Be sure to mount
them with the negative (--)
lead (marked on side) in the
correct hole.

Polarity
Marking

Figure B

Figure E

Use a discarded resistor lead to form a jumper wire.

Figure C
Insert the IC socket into the PC
board with the notch in the direction
shown on the top legend. Solder
the IC socket into place. Insert the
IC into the socket with the notch in
the same direction as the notch on
the socket.

-5-

Notch

Strip 1/8 of insulation off of both

ends of the 4 inch wires. Solder a
wire to each lug of the speaker
and then insert the other end of
the wires into the PC board in the
position shown.

TROUBLESHOOTING
Contact Elenco Electronics if you have any problems. DO NOT contact your place of purchase as they will not
be able to help you.
1. One of the most frequently occurring problems is poor solder connections.
a) Tug slightly on all parts to make sure that they are indeed soldered.
b) All solder connections should be shiny. Resolder any that are not.
c) Solder should flow into a smooth puddle rather than a round ball. Resolder any connection that has
formed into a ball.
d) Have any solder bridges formed? A solder bridge may occur if you accidentally touch an adjacent foil
by using too much solder or by dragging the soldering iron across adjacent foils. Break the bridge with
your soldering iron.

REMEDY
1. Make sure you are using a fresh 9-volt battery.
2. No sound - Be sure Q1 is installed correctly, with the flat side in the same direction as shown in the pictorial
diagram.
3. Be sure C1, C2, and C3 are installed correctly, noting the polarity.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Foil Side of PC Board

-6-

Elenco Electronics, Inc.

150 W. Carpenter Avenue
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 541-3800
http://www.elenco.com
e-mail: elenco@elenco.com