Frequently Asked Questions

What do the kits include?

All kits are available as a full kit of parts.  They are supplied with pre-programmed microcontrollers (if applicable), high-quality silk screened printed circuit board and all electronic parts, including IC sockets, wire and cable, battery holders and (optionally) project cases.  Mounting hardware, such as screws and double sided tape, is also included.

Batteries are not included (to avoid problems of leakage and limited shelf life) and of course you'll need to supply your own tools such as a soldering iron, solder, side cutters, wire stripper, screwdriver, pliers and drill.  To complete some kits, such as the toy traffic lights, you'll also need to provide your own materials and have available tools for wood or metal working to build custom cases.

Where projects include microcontrollers, we provide the option of ordering only the pre-programmed chip, if you're comfortable making your own PCBs (PCB layouts are available for download).  Also available are short-form kits, consisting of only the pre-programmed microcontroller and PCB, where you source all the other parts yourself - we're not really trying to compete as a parts supplier. A complete parts list is provided.

What if I can't make it work?

Should you open a kit and find any damaged or faulty components, please send the kit or faulty parts back to us with your receipt for an exchange.

We cannot of course replace any parts after you have cut the leads off them or soldered them in place.  Nor can we repair kits that you are unable to make work; there may be a part damaged through excessive heat when soldering, electrostatic discharge, a dry solder joint, or perhaps a solder bridge between copper tracks.  Such problems can take hours to locate; at normal service rates the service charge would almost certainly exceed the cost of a new kit - many times over!

Do you offer a re-programming service?

Yes.

If you have overwritten or erased the code in your microcontroller, making it inoperable, return it to us with your original receipt and we will reprogram it with the original project code for a payment of A$5 (plus A$5 p&p within Australia or New Zealand, or A$15 if outside AU/NZ).

How do I place an order?

We use PayPal's secure Internet payment gateway.

To order, click on the "Add to cart" button next to the item you want to buy.  This takes you to a secure PayPal-hosted page, where you can either continue shopping and add other items, or checkout.  You have the option of paying with a credit card, or from an existing PayPal account.  If you would prefer to pay through a bank transfer, you need to set up a PayPal account first.  But you don't need a PayPal account if you're going to pay by credit card.

You'll then be asked for billing and shipping details, which are forwarded to us on completion of the order.  You'll receive a confirmation order from PayPal, and we'll send you your kit(s) with a printed receipt the next business day.

What if I prefer not to pay online?

If you would prefer to pay by cheque or money order, please email us details of the item(s) you would like to order, and we will contact you with payment details.  Please note that we will wait for your cheque to clear before shipping an order.

Will you ship internationally?

Yes, we'll ship anywhere in the world, provided you can pay via PayPal or can send an international money order in Australian dollars.

You much also add an "international shipping" fee of A$10 to your order. If you are ordering a number of kits, you only need to add the international shipping fee to one of the kits

Shipping rates

Postage costs are calculated on a sliding scale, depending on the total value of your order:

Order value	Shipping
$1 - $19	$5
$20 - $49	$7
$50 - $99	$9
$100 - $199	$12
$200 and up	$15

All values are in Australian dollars.

For international orders, an additional flat rate of A$10 applies, as mentioned above.