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Kit Form Products
Products with Order Codes ending with the letters KT are supplied
in kit form and require assembly.
You receive the parts required to complete the project as depicted
in the product picture (unless stated otherwise in the product description).
This generally means a pack of components, printed circuit board (PCB),
assembly instructions (these are not a detailed introduction to electronics
and are written on the assumption that you know the basics), schematic
diagrams and circuit explanations where appropriate. You may need to
supply some additional items like connecting wires, PCB fixing screws,
etc.
You will need a soldering iron, some solder, wire cutters, screwdrivers
and preferably some experience to construct the kit. We have a number
of starter tools kits including the HTK300,
HTK362, HTK365
and HTK368 to name a few - please see our
Tools page for more
choices.
Please note that we accept only a limited liability when you purchase
a product from us in kit form. For more information please see the
Project Kit Refund Guarantee and
Project Kit Limit of Liability
details below.
Assembled Format
A large number of our electronic kits are also available ready assembled
and tested. The Order Code for pre-assembled items begin with the letters
AS and are generally supplied as per the product picture (with
the notable exception of ZIF sockets which must be purchased separately).
You will receive the project with the board pre-soldered and boxed
(but ONLY if the kit version is supplied with a box). You will still
need to make any external connections that are required to the board
i.e. power supply, audio inputs and outputs, computer leads, etc.
Boxes (with Order Codes ending BX) are available for a limited
number of projects. Please note that additional items like connection
wires, connectors, screws, lamps, switches, etc. must be supplied by
the user. It may also be necessary to drill holes for switches, etc.
General Kit Information
All of our electronic kits are fully tried and tested, modern designs
that are guaranteed to work when correctly assembled. Our electronic
kits carry a CE mark meaning that they have been tested and approved
according to EC regulations (European Directive 89/336/EC). Please note
that our range of Kit-Form projects are intended for educational and
demonstration purposes only. They are not intended for use in commercial
applications. If they are used in such applications the purchaser assumes
all responsibility for ensuring compliance with all local laws.
 All
kits (i.e. any product with a KT suffix in the Order Code) require assembled
by the purchaser. This involves soldering and the use of a range of
small hand tools. Kits are supplied with the components required to
complete the project as a bare board assembly unless stated otherwise
in the kit description.
Most mains powered projects require some additional components like
mains leads, plugs, safety fuses, etc. Boxes and hardware packs are
available for some of these projects. These enable you to produce a
safe and professional looking finished project. Construction, testing
and use of these kits should only be attempted by competent persons,
or under supervision of someone fully experienced in this field.
PCB's are top quality fibre glass boards that have a tinned and solder
resist finish to aid component soldering. A screen printed legend ensures
easy and correct positioning of each component. We don't use cheap and
nasty Tripad strip board offered by some of
our competitors (note the lack of product pictures on their websites!)
Documentation is provided with every kit. You will find step-by-step
assembly instructions, trouble shooting hints and schematic circuit
diagrams PLUS many also have a detailed explanation of the circuit's
operation and other useful information about the components used. This
makes it both interesting and easy to develop your knowledge of many
different electronics and the components used to build them. With their
strong emphasis on education, our kits are ideal for use in schools
or colleges as teaching aids.
All of the kits that we sell have been tried and tested by 'Alf',
our resident professor in electronics. We only offer a kit for sale
once it has received Alf's official seal of approval!
New, commercial grade components are used, not odd job lots or factory
seconds. Faulty components will be replaced free of charge.
Printed Circuit Boards
The PCB's supplied with our kits are made to a very high level of
quality. They are produced from 1.6mm fibre glass and include a silk
screen printed overlay guide for easy component placing and a solder
mask to aid in soldering. Wherever possible, solder pads and tracks
are generally on the larger side.
Mains Powered Kits and Modules
 To
ensure your safety, please observe these safety measures. In no way
are these complete. As safety requirements vary, please check with your
local authorities, in order to comply with local requirements. If in
doubt, seek the help of a qualified person.
Some kits and modules operate at 110/240V mains voltages.
Mains power may need to be connected either directly to the PCB or to
a voltage transformer. Extreme care should be taken when assembling
and testing such items. Mains power can cause serious injury
or death and must therefore be treated with extreme CAUTION. Construction,
testing and use of these units should only be attempted by competent
persons, or under supervision of someone fully experienced in this field.
Most mains powered projects require some additional components like
mains leads, plugs, etc. Boxes and hardware packs are available most
of these projects. These enable you to produce a safe and professional
looking finished project. Where these are not available, you will need
to provide your own box and hardware.
To ensure electrical safety, and also protection from fire or personal
injury, male sure your mains operated equipment complies with these
safety hints:
- Use a suitable plastic enclosure. If a metal enclosure is used,
make sure it is properly earthed.
- Use a power switch if the device consumes more than 10W. Use
a double pole switch for mains operated, transformer-less kits.
- Mount a fuse in series with the mains switch. Use a slow blow
(T) 50mA fuse for transformers up to 10W and a 100mA fuse for transformers
up to 20W.
- Use a mains input connector, or a robust power cord with a clamp.
- Internal wiring carrying mains voltages must have a minimum
cross-sectional area of 0.5mm2.
We accept no responsibility for injury, loss, or damage of any kind
as a result of the purchase, assembly or use of any of our products.
We want your projects to work first time as much as you do. The main
reason for kits not working is poor soldering technique and incorrect
placement of components. Although full assembly instructions are provided
with every kit, they do assume that you know the basics like soldering
and basic component recognition. Component placement should not really
be a problem with our kits as all the components supplied are all clearly
identified both in the instructions and on the PCB legend. So with our
kits the most important skill for the beginner to learn is soldering
and the more you practice the better you get! Here are a few useful
sites that will teach you what you need to know.
Careful attention to these details should help to ensure your projects
work the first time they are powered up. If not then please refer to
our Basic Project Kit Fault Finding
Guide. This outlines some simple fault finding techniques that should
get you going.
Technical Support
If, after careful checking, the kit still won't work then please
contact us. We will be glad to provide whatever assistance we can within
reason. We have over 15 years experience in the electrical/electronics
industry and have been involved in the design of a number of kits. If
you need further information or technical support please feel free to
email us at
If you feel that you will have difficulty building any Kit-Form product
purchased from us (and you cannot get assistance from a friend) you
can return it for a refund provided a Returns Number is obtained first
from our Customer Services Department by email
or telephone. The items must be returned to us (insured against loss
or damage in transit) at your expense and received by us in original
condition (with all product packaging, documentation and a copy of the
original sales invoice) within 14 days of original invoice date. The
returns number must be clearly stated on the parcel..
Kit-Form
products may not be returned for any form of refund or credit once the
inner component packages have been opened or construction has been commenced.
If this is the case please refer to the
Project Kit Limit of Liability
below.
Where a product is supplied in Kit-Form and assembly or construction
has commenced or the inner component packages have been opened we are
unable to offer any form of refund, replacement, exchange or free repair.
This is because we cannot guarantee the labour you provide and components
can be damaged during assembly.
Component packages should be checked
against the components list supplied without opening the plastic bags.
Any shortages or breakages must be advised to the
Customer Service Department of Quasar within 7 days of delivery
date and the complete unopened component bag(s) must be returned for
replacement.
It is recommended that if a kit builder does not have
enough knowledge to diagnose faults, that the project should not be
started unless assistance can be obtained. (Unfortunately, one small
faulty solder joint or wiring mistake can take many hours to locate
and at normal service rates, the service charge could well be more than
the total cost of the kit).
We do offer a
Get You Going service if you find that
you cannot get your project kit up and running without professional
help.
Mains Powered Projects
Due to their nature and function, some kits require Mains Power (110
- 230Vac) to be connected directly to the PCB. Extreme care should be
taken when assembling and testing these kits. They must be placed inside
a suitable box with mains leads fully secured according to general safety
standards. Mains power must be treated very carefully. You must have
had appropriate experience of working with main power before attempting
assembly of these kits. We accept no responsibility for injury, loss,
or damage of any kind as a result of the purchase, assembly or use of
any of our products.
Please refer to our Conditions
of Sale for full details.
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