Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for assembling and operating your Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit. This kit is designed to enhance electronics knowledge and soldering skills, making it an ideal project for STEM education and hobbyists aged 15 and above. Upon successful assembly, the kit transforms into a decorative 3D Christmas tree with flashing RGB LED lights.

Five assembled Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kits, showcasing the finished product with green circuit board trees and clear LED lights.

Image: Five fully assembled Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kits, demonstrating the final appearance of the product.

Safety Information

Please read and understand all safety precautions before beginning assembly. This kit involves soldering, which requires careful handling of hot tools and electrical components.

Age Recommendation: This kit is recommended for individuals 15 years and older. Younger users should have direct adult supervision.
Eye Protection: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from solder splatter and fumes.
Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling solder fumes. Consider using a fume extractor.
Hot Tools: Soldering irons become extremely hot. Handle with care and always place the iron in a suitable stand when not in use. Avoid touching the hot tip.
Electrical Safety: Ensure your workspace is dry. Do not touch live electrical components.
Component Handling: Some electronic components can be sensitive to static electricity. Handle them by their bodies, not their leads.

Package Contents

Verify that all components listed below are present in your kit before starting assembly. If any parts are missing or damaged, please contact customer support.

Contents of the Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit, including two tree-shaped PCBs, one base PCB, a battery holder, USB cable, various resistors, LEDs, capacitors, transistors, and small hardware.

Image: All components included in the Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit, laid out for inspection.

Component List:

2 x Tree-shaped PCB boards (CTR-30A, CTR-30B)
1 x Base PCB board (CTR-30C)
1 x 3xAA Battery Holder
1 x USB Power Cable
36 x RGB LED Diodes
Various Resistors (e.g., 1KΩ, 10KΩ, 220Ω, 470Ω)
Various Capacitors (e.g., 100uF, 104)
Transistors (e.g., S9014)
Power Socket
Switch
Small Screws and Nuts

Setup and Assembly

Assembly of the 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit requires basic soldering tools, which are not included in the package. You will need a soldering iron, solder wire, and potentially desoldering braid or pump, and wire cutters.

Assembly Steps:

Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure your soldering area is clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated. Have all necessary tools ready.
Identify Components: The PCB boards have clear markings for each component (e.g., R1, C2, D3). Match the physical components to their designated spots on the PCB. Refer to the detailed English user manual (PDF) available for download on the product page for schematics and component values.
Solder Resistors and Capacitors: Begin by soldering the smaller components like resistors and capacitors onto the tree-shaped PCB boards (CTR-30A and CTR-30B). Pay attention to the orientation of polarized capacitors if applicable.
Solder Transistors: Solder the transistors onto the PCB boards. Ensure they are oriented correctly according to the markings on the board.
Solder LEDs: This is a critical step. Each RGB LED diode has a positive (longer leg) and negative (shorter leg) lead. Insert the LEDs into the PCB holes, ensuring the longer leg aligns with the positive (+) marking on the board. Solder them securely. There are 36 RGB LED diodes in total.
Assemble Tree Boards: Once all components are soldered onto the two tree-shaped PCBs, carefully interlock them to form the 3D tree structure.
Solder Tree to Base: Solder the assembled 3D tree structure onto the base PCB (CTR-30C). Ensure a strong, stable connection.
Solder Power Components: Solder the power socket, switch, and battery holder wires to the base PCB as indicated by the markings.
Final Inspection: Before applying power, carefully inspect all solder joints for cold joints, bridges, or poor connections. Ensure all components are correctly oriented.

A person soldering components onto the circuit board of the Christmas tree kit, demonstrating the assembly process.

Image: A user engaged in the soldering process, illustrating the hands-on nature of the kit assembly.

For detailed schematics and step-by-step visual guides, please refer to the official PDF instruction manual. You can often find a link to download this manual on the product's online listing page.

Operating Instructions

Once assembled, your 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit is ready for operation.

Powering the Device:

The kit supports two power modes:

3 x AA Batteries: Insert three AA batteries (not included) into the provided battery holder. Connect the battery holder to the designated port on the base PCB.
USB Power Adapter: Use the included USB cable to connect the kit to a DC 4.5V-5V USB power adapter (e.g., a phone charger, power bank, or computer USB port).

Two images showing the power supply options for the Christmas tree kit: one with a USB cable connected to a power bank, and another with AA batteries inserted into the battery case.

Image: Illustration of the two power supply methods: via USB cable or 3xAA batteries.

Light Functionality:

After connecting power and flipping the switch to the 'ON' position, the 36 RGB LED diodes will begin to flash, creating a bright, colorful, and dynamic light display. The LEDs cycle through various colors and patterns automatically.

An assembled 3D Christmas tree soldering kit with its RGB LED lights brightly flashing in multiple colors, set against a festive background.

Image: The assembled Christmas tree kit displaying its vibrant 7-color flashing LED lights.

Maintenance

The Icstation 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit requires minimal maintenance to ensure its longevity and performance.

Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the PCB and LEDs to remove dust. Avoid using liquids or abrasive cleaners.
Storage: When not in use, store the assembled tree in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity.
Battery Care: If using batteries, remove them if the device will not be used for an extended period to prevent leakage.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your assembled Christmas tree kit, refer to the following common troubleshooting steps:

Problem	Possible Cause / Solution
Some or all LEDs do not light up.	Incorrect Component Direction: Ensure all LEDs, transistors, and polarized capacitors are installed with the correct polarity/orientation. LEDs have a positive (longer) and negative (shorter) leg. Poor Solder Connections: Carefully inspect all solder joints. Re-solder any joints that appear dull, cracked, or incomplete (cold joints). Ensure there are no solder bridges shorting connections. Missing Components: Verify all components are present and soldered in their designated locations. Faulty Component: Although rare, a component might be defective. If all other troubleshooting fails, try replacing the specific non-working LED or component.
Tree does not power on.	Power Source: Check if batteries are inserted correctly and have sufficient charge. If using USB, ensure the adapter is working and the cable is securely connected. Power Switch: Ensure the power switch is in the 'ON' position. Power Connections: Verify the solder connections for the power socket, switch, and battery holder are solid.
Lights are dim or flicker inconsistently.	Low Power: Replace batteries with fresh ones or try a different USB power source. Loose Connections: Re-inspect solder joints, especially those related to power delivery and the main control circuit.

Specifications

Feature	Detail
Product Dimensions (Assembled)	Approximately 1.96 x 1.57 x 0.78 inches (5 x 4 x 2 cm)
Item Weight	10.5 ounces (approx. 298 grams)
Power Supply	DC 4.5V-5V (3 x AA batteries or USB power adapter)
LED Type	RGB LED Diodes (36 PCS)
Recommended Age	15 years and up
Model Number	13484

Diagram showing the dimensions of the assembled Christmas tree kit, with measurements in centimeters for height, width, and depth, and the length of the USB cable.

Image: Dimensional specifications of the assembled Christmas tree kit and its USB cable.

Support

For further assistance, technical inquiries, or if you encounter issues not covered in this manual, please contact the Icstation customer service team. A responsive service team is available to provide professional help and support.

You may also find additional resources and a downloadable PDF user manual on the product's official listing page or the Icstation brand store on Amazon.

Visit the IS Store on Amazon

IS 13484