Built a Circuit but it is not working

Ask questions about projects relating to: aerodynamics or hydrodynamics, astronomy, chemistry, electricity, electronics, physics, or engineering

Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
Logan12197
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:49 pm
Occupation: Student: 11th Grade
Project Question: for the project idea "Measuring Vibrational frequency with light" I built the Circuit and it is not working. I have pictures of what I did so I'm hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong.
Project Due Date: September 23rd
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Built a Circuit but it is not working

Post by Logan12197 »

I am doing the project here https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure

I have built the circuit following the instructions and when I put it in my dataq DI-145 and connected it to the computer, I am not getting a signal. It should be 5v when I shine the flashlight on the senor, but I'm getting nothing. When I touch the positive 'pin 2' to the resistor connected to 'pin 3' as the output, I get an output of 4.7 volts continually.

here of pictures of the circuit and how I connected it to the A/D convertor. What did I do wrong?

http://i.imgur.com/xP5HmCY.jpg - I put 3 AA batteries in the connected battery holder as well.

http://i.imgur.com/sNCkZtC.jpg - this one is a little blurry. the resistor output is curved around from 'pin 3' to the + input on Ch1 on the A/D convertor, and the end of 'pin 1' is in the -(negative) input.

I'm hoping that I misunderstood the construction of the circuit and someone can tell me how to fix it. Otherwise, I'll have to do a different science project and will have wasted $40
deleted-72052
Former Expert
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:35 pm
Occupation: Retired Electronics Engineer from Motorola Solutions
Project Question: n/a
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Built a Circuit but it is not working

Post by deleted-72052 »

Hi Logan -
From what I see in your 2nd picture, the resister is soldered to the correct pin on the IC but the other end is just floating. It needs to be connected to ground so that a voltage is developed across the resister. Let me know if it works once you have connected the floating end of the resister to ground.

All the best,
Gerry
Gerry Gruenbaum
Science Buddies "Ask an Expert" Volunteer
Logan12197
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:49 pm
Occupation: Student: 11th Grade
Project Question: for the project idea "Measuring Vibrational frequency with light" I built the Circuit and it is not working. I have pictures of what I did so I'm hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong.
Project Due Date: September 23rd
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Re: Built a Circuit but it is not working

Post by Logan12197 »

After you said that and I went back and looked at the directions, I realized that's what I was supposed to do. I soldered the resistor from pin 3 to pin 1(ground). I went to hook it up and once again, there is no output (except the 5 volts when I touch 3 to 2, but this is unaffected by the light sensor.)

Any other reason it wouldn't work?

I'm on a very limited time schedule at this point, so a quick reply from anyone would be very appreciated

edit: if it means anything, when I remove 1 AA battery, I get no output when I touch 3 to 2, instead of what I expected - 3v, down from 4.5-5
Logan12197
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:49 pm
Occupation: Student: 11th Grade
Project Question: for the project idea "Measuring Vibrational frequency with light" I built the Circuit and it is not working. I have pictures of what I did so I'm hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong.
Project Due Date: September 23rd
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Re: Built a Circuit but it is not working

Post by Logan12197 »

Bump? = )
Locked

Return to “Grades 9-12: Physical Science”