$60 to anyone who builds and gets this working for me!

Looks like both circuits are a case of insufficient current. R5 should be much smaller, Q2 should be bigger (or try a n-mosfet), R4 should be bigger. X1 needs a drive transistor too.

The 9v battery might not be enough, depending on the relay used.

both circuits are a case of insufficient current. R5

Q2 has been changed to a BFY51, still isn't working R5 was taken out and a 330 ohm resistor placed in..still not working, I suppose a 1k variable would be better. R4 is 2.2k now and still isn't working.

I don't know about the driver for the 555(x1)

oh and the 12v relay is activated easily with the 9v battery, the 12v relay is only 50mA.

you drive a hard bargain mister, $90. paypal is my only form of payment.

you don't do paypal?... weird...it's quite easy to set up and immensely handy. I recommend you set it up.

I'm sorry but I don't feel comfortable just depositing money to you.

with paypal its slightly more secure..like how do I know you won't just take the money and run?

Instead of strip board, why don't you layout the circuit using expresspcb free layout software, that let's you order pcb's from the program? It will cost less than $60 for 3 pcb's...

circuit using

thanks, PCB is probably the best way to go..but for my project I need stripboard...unfortunately. I will take a look, as one of my friends is interested in PCBing a circuit of hers

thanks again!

wow, firstly I'm a 15 year old girl not a guy. and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be scammed is all.

but you have settled on a no bid. that's fine.

Someone in your straits would do well to use breadboard for construction and testing of the circuit. You can plug and unplug parts to troubleshoot it.

thanks kell, I'll try to get some breadboard soon and report back.

reduce R5 to a much lower value like a 1k or something. and the Photo detector you have maybe in backwards. also check to make sure Q2 is in the correctly.

Hi Gritt, I would think since your a fine young lady, that someone, would be willing to help you get your circuit working. I think John will have a change of heart. I think offering money was a mistake, but it is probably because your very frustrated with lack of progress and your deadline is pressing toward you. There a bunch of very helpful people here that give out loads of help, some good some....less so.

You need to describe what the circuit is supposed to do. It looks to me like first circuit is supposed to deenergize the relay when something is shielding the phototransistor, is that correct? What are you driving with the relay? Is this a saftey circuit?

The second circuit is an astable osc. running continuously at 1/2 sec relay energized 1/2 sec relay deenergized. What kind of problem are you having? Can you give out any details of the complete project? Give us some details, I think you'll get some help, Mike

Empty Launcher sensor circuit? Astable solenoid firing circuit?

Is this extra credit for high school physics or are you planning an early 4th of july party?

Absolutely. Get a breadboard, it is the most important tool at this stage of learning.

You are very probably making a wiring mistake. Keep it simple.

Start over on the breadboard. Make sure every connection is exactly correct. Do NOT hurry, any mistake usually destroys something.

Think about what you need. You may be able to replace the entire sensor circuit with one little microswitch that requires no power at all. Just mount it at the point where you put the optical sensor.

John's offer was generous. I have the 555 circuit already on my table, takes about 30 minutes on a breadboard. But I charge about 100 dollars an hour for special projects. Some day you will have the same level of skill, but you will have to earn it yourself.

no, no! you only tell her your 68 after you meet her at the bus station... JOKE!