This is intended for new experimenters. It is suitable for use with a solderless breadboard.

The kit is discussed elsewhere in the context of prototyping with the Basic Stamp 2. However, the prototyping arrangement may be used with the Basic Stamp 1, PC Parallel Port, PIC or other processor.

The kit provides a source of nominally +12VDC and regulated +5VDC. Maximum +5V current is 500 mA. Maximum total current is 1000 mA. That is, if your application uses 100 mA at +5VDC, 900 mA is available for 12V lamps, solenoids or motors.

The kit includes a +9VDC @ 1.0A wall transformer. The voltage is actually close to +12VDC. Red and black 22 awg leads have been soldered to the power pack leads to permit easy interface with your solderless breadboard.

In addition, the kit includes a 7805 regulator in a TO-220 package equipped with a heat sink. The heatsink has been mounted on the 7805 using a screw and nut and is thermally bonded to the 7805 using thermally conductive grease.

The kit also includes two 47 uFd capacitors, a 1N400X diode to protect against reverse voltages and an LED and 330 Ohm resistor to provide quiescent current through the 7805.

Small lengths of 22 awg wire are included along with assembly instructions.

Note that the 1.0 Amp overall limitation is imposed by the power pack. The 500 mA limitation on the +5 VDC is imposed by the thermal limitations of the 7805. Note that the 7805 provides automatic thermal shut down circuitry. That is, if you accidentally exceed 500 mA and the 7805 gets too hot, the device will shut down, thus protecting it from irreversible damage.