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How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items

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  1. How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Here is one of those cards that plays some annoying music once it is opened up.

    • Open the card and there will be a fold-over page that needs to be opened to get to the components. Here a long knife was used since it could not be determined how the parts underneath were oriented etc.

    • Once the glue is released from that page, fold it over to reveal the components.

  2. How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Introduction to function: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Introduction to function: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Introduction to function: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • This musical card has two main components, The circuit board with the IC's for the music, batteries etc., and the speaker

    • There is a plastic divider that separates the contact from the circuit board. This is what turns the music off. It will turn on when pulled forward and allowing the contact to close the circuit.

    • Once the plastic divider is removed the contact will close the circuit and the music will play

  3. How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Next we will need two electrical wires. Any length will do but should be somewhat short enough to be easily managed without becoming tangled etc.

    • Bend the contact that was previously repsonsible for closing the on/off circuit straight up. This is thin metal so it'll bend easy and will also fatigue easy, bend only one time.

    • Remove the insulation from both ends of the two wires. on one end remove about 3/8 of an inch and the other end about one inch. No exact science just make sure that the exposed wires are long enough.

  4. How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Construction: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Wrap one wire around the bend contact a couple of times and twist the end around the wire itself.

    • Place the exposed wire from the other cable on the flat contact on the circuit board.

    • Use electric tape to secure the bottom wire and to isolate and secure the wire on the other contact as well.

    • The components are adhered via some kind of tape to the card. This tape functioned as a guide to cut the whole musical part way from the greeting card.

  5. How to build a continuity tester from common everyday items, Final: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Complete Continuity Tester. Function was tested and this was a success. Now every time you check for continuity you will hear some Minions singing a happy song :-)

Conclusion

This tool does actually work and is capable of testing continuity. Build cost was $2.99 for the card.

7 other people completed this guide.

oldturkey03

Member since: 09/29/10

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