Final Assembly of Tail Wagging Dog
THE HOME STRETCH
If you’ve reached this page, you’re either getting ahead of yourself or you have a dog with a tail that swings when you with a magnet and a circuit board with a coil on it that pulls the magnet when you turn on a switch. If you have both of those parts, GOOD FOR YOU! You’re ready to finish your animated dog.
This part is fairly straightforward and you should have the tail wagging in a short time. First let’s review, one more time, the way the magnet is mounted on the dowel mount. If you purchased an assembled kit, the magnet should have a black mark on the side that attaches to the dowel. That marked side is “up.” If you want to be sure, you can check it this way. Before you mount the magnet, place it on to the coil just a little off center. Assuming you have a battery in the case, when you turn on the switch the magnet will either fly off the coil or be pulled into the center. When you have the magnet pulled into the center, mark that side “up.” the side marked “up” goes against the dowel. Mount it with double-faced tape.
Now slide the circuit board under the magnet so that the magnet hangs directly over the coil as shown in Figure 1.
The magnet should be 1/8 - 1/4 in. above the coil. That’s it. Now, with a battery in the battery holder, turn on the switch and give the tail a boost to start it swinging. It should continue to swing as long as the battery is on. If you have the solar cell wired in, putting the switch in the other position will cause the tail to wag if you have the cell in sunlight or under an incandescent bulb of at least 60W a few inches above the cell. Fluorescent lighting will not work on a solar cell. If you have sufficient output from the bulb you might find that when the tail is still, it will gradually start to wiggle and finally swing fully a few seconds after the cell is placed in the light.
If all is working, the rest is pretty much up to you. Drill a small hole somewhere in the back of the box to mount the switch. Be sure to mount the battery where you can get at it when you need to change it. The switch has no “off” position. Leave it in the position for the solar cell. The cell doesn’t run down. It will work in the light and stop working in the dark. The battery needs to be on only when you want the tail to wag in the absence of light.
A FEW TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS
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Make sure your magnet is swinging freely and not hanging up on something. It should swing several times when the circuit is off. If it doesn’t, it’s binding somewhere.
Make sure your magnet is swinging freely and not hanging up on something. It should swing several times when the circuit is off. If it doesn’t, it’s binding somewhere.·If the tail doesn’t swing, make sure the magnet is not in upside down. Adjust it according to the instructions above.
If the tail doesn’t swing, make sure the magnet is not in upside down. Adjust it according to the instructions above. ·If you don’t have a solar cell, you will need to determine which switch position is “on.” If you have no way of checking it with a meter, when the magnet is close to the coil, it should move slightly when the switch is first turned on.
If you don’t have a solar cell, you will need to determine which switch position is “on.” If you have no way of checking it with a meter, when the magnet is close to the coil, it should move slightly when the switch is first turned on.·If you built your own circuit board, double check the position and placement of the capacitors, transistors, the diode, and the LED.
If you built your own circuit board, double check the position and placement of the capacitors, transistors, the diode, and the LED.·Check all your solder joints to make sure none are poorly done.
Check all your solder joints to make sure none are poorly done.·If all else fails, send an email, We might be able to figure out what to do or have you send the circuit board back to see if we can get it working. If the board is damaged and needs to be replaced there is a $5 charge for a new board and a $15 charge for reassembling,
If all else fails, send an email, We might be able to figure out what to do or have you send the circuit board back to see if we can get it working. If the board is damaged and needs to be replaced there is a $5 charge for a new board and a $15 charge for reassembling, ·If you purchased it assembled, return the circuit board and we will repair it at no charge.
If you purchased it assembled, return the circuit board and we will repair it at no charge.We sincerelyhope you enjoy your animation.
Gene Hochhalter
104 Southview Dr.
Marshall, MN 56258
