Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories / evilmadscientist.

com
175 San Lazaro Ave., Ste. 150 Sunnyvale CA 94086

Questions? Please contact us: [email protected]

DATASHEET

The “Three Fives”

Discrete 555 Timer
Kit version 2.0

Re-create one of the most classic, popular,

and all-around useful chips of all time.

The “Three Fives” Discrete 555 Timer kit is a

faithful and functional transistor-scale replica of
Block Diagram / Pinout
the classic NE555 timer integrated circuit.
Designed by Eric Schlaepfer (tubetime.us), in
collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

Main Specifications

• Kit type: Through-hole soldering kit

• Assembly instructions: Printed, included with kit
• Assembly time: 30-60 minutes (typical)
• Function: Equivalent circuit to NE555 timer IC.
Some performance characteristics differ; Refer to Abs.
Maximum ratings and Electrical Characteristics
• RoHS compliance: All kit components are RoHS
compliant (lead free)
• Connection methods: Terminal posts (bare wire, lug,
or alligator clip) or solder

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 1

Kit Contents
Printed circuit board
Aluminum Display Stand (2 pieces)
w/ threaded inserts.
Transistors

Resistors

Screws and spacers for stand

Thumbscrew terminal posts: 6 gray, 1 red, 1 black

Contents of the Three Fives kit:

•The Three Fives printed circuit board (extra thick 0.100”),
pre-fitted with eight 8-32 threaded inserts
•The transistors and resistors required to assemble the kit
• Eight thumbscrews (terminal posts) with color-coded caps (1 red, 1 black, 6 gray)
•Two-piece “IC Legs” stand, anodized aluminum
•Mounting screws and spacers for attaching the “IC Legs” stand
•Printed assembly instructions (not shown)

Tools and materials required for assembly (not included with kit):
•Soldering iron
•Solder
• Wire clippers
•Phillips head screwdriver (#2 size recommended).

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 2

 Schematic Diagram
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Electrical Components
Reference Qty Type Value
Q1-4, Q14-18, Q20-22, Q24 13 NPN Transistor 2N3904
Q5-13, Q19A, Q19B, Q23, Q25 13 PNP Transistor 2N3906
R1, R3, R7, R8, R9, R11, R15 7 Resistor, ¼ W 4.7 k
R2 1 Resistor, ¼ W 820
R4 1 Resistor, ¼ W 1k
R5 1 Resistor, ¼ W 10 k
R6, R17 1 Resistor, ¼ W 100 k
R10 1 Resistor, ¼ W 15 k
R12 1 Resistor, ¼ W 6.8 k
R13 1 Resistor, ¼ W 3.9 k
R14 1 Resistor, ¼ W 220
R16 1 Resistor, ¼ W 100

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 3

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Y
Parameter Symbol Value Unit

Supply Voltage VCC 18 V

AR
Output current IO ± 100 mA

Input voltage (Control Voltage, Threshold, Trigger, Reset pins) VIN VCC1

Notes:
1. Exception for kit version 1.0 (without R17 and notch in PCB outline) only:
Input voltage at reset pin (VRST) should be kept to lesser of VCC or 6.6 V.
For VCC > 6.6 V, Reset pin may be pulled up to Vcc through a 100 kilohm resistor.

IN
IM
EL
PR

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 4

Electrical Characteristics

Y
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Unit

Supply Voltage VCC 4 18 V

Supply Current ICC VCC = 5 V, Low state 3 mA

AR
VCC = 15 V, Low state 10

Threshold Voltage VTH VCC = 5 V 3.3 V

VCC = 15 V 10.0

Threshold Current ITH 10 nA

Trigger Voltage VTR VCC = 5 V 1.67 V

IN
VCC = 15 V 5.0

Trigger Current ITR TRIG at 0 V 10 nA

Reset Voltage1 VRST 0.4 V

Reset Current IRST 0.2 mA

IM
Control Voltage Level VC VCC = 5 V 3.33 V

Discharge Pin Leakage ILKG 1 nA

Discharge Pin Output Voltage Low VDL VCC = 5 V, IO = -5 mA 50 mV

Output Pin Voltage High2 VOH VCC = 5 V, No load 4.5 V

VCC = 5 V, IO = 100 mA 3.3 V

EL

VCC = 15 V, IO = 100 mA 13.3 V

Output Pin Voltage Low2 VOL VCC = 5 V, IO = -5 mA 50 mV

VCC = 5 V, IO = -8 mA 100 mV

VCC = 15 V, IO = -10 mA 0.1 V

PR

VCC = 15 V, IO = -50 mA 0.4 V

VCC = 15 V, IO = -100 mA 2.0 V

Notes:
1. Specified with trigger input high.
2. For long term static operation, limit to 50 mA maximum.

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 5

Printed Circuit Board:
Physical layout and mounting holes

Terminal hole X8
• PCB in kit has 8-32 threaded insert
(PEM #KF2-832-ET) pre-installed. Mounting hole X6
•Bare PCB: .250” Thru .145” Thru (#6 Clearance)

Note: All dimensions are in INCHES.

Additional physical specifications:

• Printed Circuit Board size: 5.215 X 3.175 inches (13.25 X 8.06 cm) wide
• PCB thickness: 0.100" (2.54 mm) nominal, not including threaded inserts
• PCB thickness: 0.196" (4.98 mm) nominal, including threaded inserts
• Overall thickness: Allow 0.5" min. clearance above and below circuit board
• Mounting holes: Six #6 clearance holes provided. See drawing for locations.
• Nominal height of “IC legs” stand: 1.25 inches (3.175 cm), not including spacers
• Nominal height of “IC legs” stand: 1.31 inches (3.33 cm), including spacers, to bottom of PCB.

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 6

Additional Photos

Bare PCB

Assembled PCB with stand

(Terminal posts removed)

Assembled kit with stand and

terminal posts (top view)

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 7

Suggested Circuits

LED flasher:

Variable-speed Larson Scanner

Repeat for LEDs #2-6

Three Fives Kit Datasheet (Rev 2.01, August 2014) 8