How To Build An Optical Theremin

Step 1Gather Materials!

Gather Materials!
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This needs very few parts, I made mine for under $20.

Here is what you need:

Two phototransistors
One TLC555 timer IC
One .047 uF capacitor
One 100 uF capacitor
One 1 megohm resistor
One 10k ohm resistor
A battery pack that holds 4 AA batteries
Some wire
A breadboard
A small speaker

Tools:
A wire stripper

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6 comments
May 18, 2010. 12:25 PMelectrosam says:
Well, as per my knowledge, thats not Photo Transistor, its Photo Diode. Probably IR Detector Diode.
Mar 29, 2011. 8:10 AMBassGeek says:
I found it at Radioshack as a photo transistor
May 15, 2010. 9:18 PMninjin says:
Mine turned out great, annoying, but great! thanks for this 'ible!
Apr 28, 2008. 4:22 AMAnkeladden says:
which capacitor do you youse 0.047 uf?? I'm going to make one
Mar 14, 2010. 2:57 PMBassGeek says:
 Do you mean like an electrolytic, monolithic, tantalum, etc?
Mar 29, 2009. 8:36 PMTXTCLA55 says:
Question! you mean the 555 timer IC right?
May 3, 2010. 1:21 PMtrubshac says:
Yes, it's a 555 timer IC.  The 7555 timer should also work fine.

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