Timers are extremely useful in everyday life.  We use them to cook, play games, and sometimes during tests.  This activity will show you how to build your own 1–9 minute timer using only parts included in the BASIC Stamp Activity Kit (#90005).

Getting Started

If you are new to the BASIC Stamp microcontroller or to programming, it would be a good idea to review the following before continuing:

• Complete the following chapters in What’s a Microcontroller?  (#28123)
  • Chapter 1 (Getting Started)
  • Chapter 3, Activities 1 & 2 (Digital Input – Pushbuttons)
  • Chapter 5, Activities 1-3 (Measuring Rotation)
  • Chapter 6 (Digital Display)
  • Chapter 8 (Frequency and Sound)
• Review the following commands in the PBASIC Language Webhelp:
  • LOOKDOWN
  • LOOKUP

Parts List

This activity can be completed solely with the parts included in the BASIC Stamp Activity Kit (#90005) or the RadioShack What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit.  Below is a listing of all parts required for this activity:

• (1)  HomeWork Board with BASIC Stamp 2 (#28158)
•       The BASIC Stamp 2 on a Board of Education (#28103) is also suitable for this activity
• (1)  7-Segment LED display (#350-00027)
• (1)  Piezospeaker (#900-00001)
• (1)  10 kΩ potentiometer (#152-01031)
• (1)  Pushbutton (#400-00002)
• (1)  0.1 µF mono radial capacitor (#200-01040)
• (2)  220 Ω resistors (#150-02210)
• (8)  1 kΩ resistors (#150-01020)
• (1)  10 kΩ resistor (#150-01030)

Source Code

Source code for Build Your Own Mini Timer