Learn How a Switch-Controlled Electric Fan Works | STEM Project

A switch-controlled electric fan is a simple and fun STEM project that helps students understand how basic electrical components work together. Using a small motor, a switch, and a battery, we can build a working electric fan while learning important science and engineering concepts.

Learn how a simple switch-controlled fan works through a hands-on STEM project.

✳️What Is an Electric Fan?

An electric fan is a household appliance that uses an electric motor to rotate fan blades. When the blades spin, they push air forward, helping to circulate air and create a cooling effect. Electric fans are commonly used in homes, classrooms, offices, shops, hospitals, and hotels.

✳️Components Used

Identify all electronic and structural parts before starting the project.

• Wooden board parts (Numbered boards)

• DC motor

• Fan blade

• Battery box

• On/Off switch

• Red/black wires

• Double-sided tape

• White glue

✳️Step-by-Step Assembly

➡️Step 1: Prepare the Parts

Open the STEM invention kit and take out all the components. Carefully separate all the wooden board parts and make sure everything is ready before starting assembly.

Separate and prepare all wooden board parts before assembly.

➡️Step 2: Assemble the Base

Insert the two Number 1 boards and the two Number 2 boards together to form the base structure of the fan.

Assemble the base structure using boards #1 and #2.

➡️Step 3: Attach Board Number 3

Insert board Number 3 onto the top of boards 1 and 2 to form the main platform for the switch and wiring.

Install the main platform for the switch and wiring.

➡️Step 4: Attach the Battery Box

Apply double-sided tape to the bottom of the battery box. Attach the battery box near the switch for easier wiring. Thread the red wire through the square hole to connect to the switch, and thread the black wire through the small round hole from the bottom.

Fix the battery box near the switch for easy wiring.

➡️Step 5: Install the Switch

Pull back both red wires slightly and press the switch into board Number 3. Thread the single red wire through the small round hole and connect it to the battery box.

Install the switch and route the wires correctly.

➡️Step 6: Connect the Motor

Connect the red wire to the metal terminal on the left side of the motor and the black wire to the terminal on the right side. Insert board Number 4 into board Number 3.

Connect red and black wires to the motor terminals.

➡️Step 7: Assemble the Upper Structure

Insert board Number 6 into board Number 5. Then attach board Number 5 onto boards 4 and 3. Place the motor into the top holder securely.

Build the motor holder and secure the motor.

➡️Step 8: Install the Fan Blade

Carefully push the fan blade onto the motor shaft until it fits securely. The fan assembly is now complete.

Attach the fan blade to complete the assembly.

✳️Testing the Fan

Insert the batteries into the battery box and switch it on. If assembled correctly, the fan blades should begin to spin. If the fan does not rotate, recheck the wiring and battery placement.

Switch on the circuit and see the fan spin.

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. Switch Fan

Lazada:

1. Switch Fan

TikTok:

1. Switch Fan

Aliexpress:

1. Switch Fan

✳️Conclusion

This switch-controlled electric fan project is a great way to learn about electrical circuits, switches, motors, and air circulation through hands-on experience. Simple projects like this help make STEM learning fun, practical, and easy to understand.

XPrinter N160II Unboxing & Setup | USB + LAN Thermal Receipt Printer Installation & Test

Looking for a reliable and affordable thermal receipt printer for your shop, café, or retail business? The XPrinter N160II is a popular choice. This guide walks you through unboxing, setup, and best use cases, making it easy even for beginners. The XPrinter N160II is a compact thermal printer designed for fast, smooth printing. Perfect for POS systems in retail stores, restaurants, minimarkets, and online businesses.

XPrinter N160II – compact, sleek, and ready for your POS system.

What’s Inside the Box?

When you unbox your XPrinter N160II, you’ll find:

• XPrinter N160II Thermal Printer

• Power Adapter & Cable

• USB Cable

• Driver CD / Manual

• Sample Thermal Paper Roll

Everything you need to start printing included in the box.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Insert the Paper Roll

Open the top cover and place the thermal paper with the printable side facing correctly. Pull out a small portion and close the lid firmly.

Insert the thermal paper correctly for smooth printing.

2. Connect the Cables

Plug in the power adapter and connect the USB cable to your computer or POS system.

Connect power cable to power adapter.

Connect power adapter to printer.

Connect one end of the USB cable to the printer and the other end to your computer.

3. Install the Driver

Install the driver using the CD or download the latest version from the XPrinter website.

Install the printer driver for seamless computer integration.

4. Configure Printer Settings

Go to your computer’s printer settings and select XPrinter N160II as the default printer.

Set XPrinter N160II as your default printer to start printing receipts.

5. Test Print

Press the feed button or print a test receipt from your POS software.

Perform a test print to ensure the printer is ready.

Best Use Cases

Ideal for:

• Retail counters

• Food & beverage outlets

• Online order processing

• Logistic and courier systems

• Small business POS stations

Why Choose XPrinter N160II?

Durable, easy to maintain, and delivers sharp, clear receipts every time. Affordable and reliable, it’s perfect for businesses seeking efficiency.

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. XP-N160II Thermal Printer

Lazada:

1. XP-N160II Thermal Printer

TikTok:

1. XP-N160II Thermal Printer
   
   

Final Thoughts

The XPrinter N160II is easy to set up and reliable for daily business operations. Boost workflow and enhance customer service with this dependable thermal printer.

XP-460B Thermal Printer Maintenance | How to Lubricate Printer Gears with Grease

Lubricating your XP-460B thermal printer’s internal gears is a simple yet essential task. It keeps the feeding mechanism smooth and reduces wear on the motor and rollers. Here’s a step-by-step guide with captions straight from our video for easy reference.

XP-460B thermal printer maintenance.

⚙️Safety First: Power Down

Before you start, always turn off your printer and unplug it. Working on a powered printer can be dangerous and may damage the unit. Safety first!

⚙️Step 1: Access the Gear Assembly

1. Remove the back or side cover to access the internal gears.
   

   

   Use a screwdriver to carefully remove the side screws.

2. On the XP-460B, the main gears are behind the left side panel, close to the motor assembly.
   

   

   Gently lift off the cover to expose the gears.

⚙️Step 2: Apply Lubricant

1. Use a thin layer of printer-safe grease. Less is more — over-lubrication can cause grease to spread onto sensors or belts.
   

   

   Apply a thin, even layer of grease.

   
   

   

   Lubricate all key gears: main drive gear, intermediate idler gears, and platen roller drive gear.

   
   
2. Wipe away any excess around the edges to prevent contamination.

⚙️Step 3: Reassemble and Check

1. Once lubrication is complete, reinstall the cover and tighten all screws securely.
   

   

   Reinstall the side or back cover and tighten screws securely.

   
   
   

2. Double-check that no grease has gotten onto sensor windows or rollers.
   

   

   Inspect sensors and rollers to ensure they are clean and free of grease.

   
   

⚙️Step 4: Test Your Printer

Power on the printer and run a test print. The feeding mechanism should feel smoother, and the motor should operate with less strain. Regular lubrication like this prevents costly repairs and keeps your printer running efficiently.

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. XP-460B Thermal Printer
2. Screwdriver Set
   

Lazada:

1. XP-460B Thermal Printer
2. Screwdriver Set

TikTok:

1. XP-460B Thermal Printer
2. Screwdriver Set

Aliexpress:

1. XP-460B Thermal Printer
2. Screwdriver Set

⚙️Final Thoughts

Maintaining your XP-460B thermal printer doesn’t have to be time-consuming. A small amount of grease applied correctly can make a big difference in performance and longevity. If you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing, liking, and subscribing to stay updated on more printer maintenance tips!

How to Repair Philips LED Batten 18W Not Working (Step-by-Step Guide)

Have you ever turned on your LED batten light and realized — nothing happens? No glow, no flicker, just dead? Don’t rush to throw it away yet! In this guide, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot and repair a Philips LED Batten 18W Linear Light that’s not working.

Comparison between working and faulty Philips LED Batten 18W.

🔧 What You Need

• Multimeter (for voltage and diode testing)
• Soldering iron and flux
• Replacement MB10F bridge rectifier (if faulty)
• Screwdriver or pry tool
• Basic safety gear (gloves and insulated tools)

💡 Step 1: Check Power Input

Start by turning on the switch and using a multimeter to measure the input voltage.

Measuring AC input voltage with a multimeter.

If the voltage (around 220V AC) is present, that means the power supply is fine, and the issue lies inside the LED batten.

🔩 Step 2: Disassemble the LED Batten

Remove the end cover — look for a small clip or hole at the edge. Push down gently and pry open the cover using a small screwdriver.

Removing the end cover to access the LED strip and driver.

Once opened, slide out the LED strip to expose the internal wiring and driver.

Sliding out the LED strip to reveal the internal wiring and driver circuit inside the batten.

🔍 Step 3: Inspect the Wiring

When inspecting the LED strip, check for loose wires or bad solder joints.

Loose red wire disconnected from the LED strip solder joint.

In our case, the red wire was detached from its solder point — one clear reason for no light output.

⚡ Step 4: Measure DC Output Voltage

Use your multimeter to measure the driver’s DC output voltage. You should see around 24V–40V DC for an 18W batten.

Checking the DC output voltage of the LED driver circuit.

If you’re only getting 4V DC, it means the driver circuit or the bridge rectifier (MB10F) is likely damaged.

🧲 Step 5: Test the MB10F Bridge Rectifier

Refer to the MB10F pin diagram and switch your multimeter to diode mode. Measure these pairs:

• Pin 3 → Pin 4
• Pin 3 → Pin 2
• Pin 2 → Pin 1
• Pin 4 → Pin 1

Testing MB10F bridge rectifier using diode mode on a multimeter.

If there’s no reading between all pairs, it confirms the rectifier is open and faulty.

🔧 Step 6: Identify Root Cause

We found two issues in this repair:

1. Loose solder joint on the LED output wire.
2. Faulty MB10F bridge rectifier (no diode connection).

These two faults combined caused the LED batten to completely fail.

🔥 Step 7: Replace the Faulty MB10F

Desolder the damaged MB10F using a soldering iron or hot air gun. Apply some flux to make removal easier.

Removing the faulty MB10F bridge rectifier.

Removing and replacing the faulty MB10F bridge rectifier.

Then, solder a new MB10F IC in its place — ensure the polarity and pin orientation are correct.

⚙️ Step 8: Test and Reassemble

After replacing the component, connect the LED batten to the AC supply and test. If the repair was successful, your LED should now light up brightly again!

Testing the LED batten after repair — light working normally.

Finally, reassemble the cover and secure everything back in place.

✅ Result: Fully Working LED Batten

After fixing both issues, the Philips LED Batten 18W worked perfectly. A simple inspection and a few minutes of soldering saved it from going to waste — and saved money too!

Final result — repaired Philips LED Batten shining brightly.

📦 Where to Buy

Shopee:

1. Soldering Iron Heating Element
2. Solder Wire
3. Tip Cleaner
4. Screwdriver Set
5. MB10F IC

Lazada:

1. Soldering Iron Heating Element
2. Solder Wire
3. Tip Cleaner
4. Screwdriver Set
5. MB10F IC

TikTok:

1. Soldering Iron Heating Element
2. Solder Wire
3. Tip Cleaner
4. Screwdriver Set
5. MB10F IC

Aliexpress:

1. Soldering Iron Heating Element
2. Solder Wire
3. Tip Cleaner
4. Screwdriver Set
5. MB10F IC

📺 Watch the Full Video

You can watch the complete step-by-step repair process here:

💬 Final Thoughts

Most LED battens fail due to loose solder joints or driver circuit damage — both easy to diagnose with a simple multimeter. With a bit of patience and care, you can repair your light instead of replacing it.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share the video for more electronics repair tutorials. 💡🔧

How to Make a Bluetooth Controlled 2WD Smart Car Using Arduino

 Have you ever wanted to build your own robot car that you can control straight from your smartphone? 🚗💡In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a Bluetooth-controlled 2WD smart robot car using Arduino UNO, an HC-05 Bluetooth module, and an L298N motor driver. You’ll be able to move it forward, backward, left, right — and stop — all from your phone using the UBRcontrol app.

Bluetooth Controlled 2WD Smart Car using Arduino UNO.

⚙️ What is a 2WD Smart Car?

A 2WD (two-wheel drive) smart car is a small robotic platform powered by two DC motors and a caster wheel for balance. It’s widely used in Arduino robotics projects for learning motor control, Bluetooth communication, and basic automation.

🧩 Components Required

To build this project, you’ll need the following components:

All the essential parts you need to build your Bluetooth-controlled 2WD smart car using Arduino.

1. Arduino UNO × 1
2. HC-05 Bluetooth Module × 1
3. L298N Motor Driver × 1
4. 2WD Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit × 1
5. Breadboard & Jumper Wires × 1
6. Batteries × 4/6

🔧 Assembling the Car Chassis

Step 1: Mount the DC Motors

Attach the two DC motors to the chassis sides using the provided metal brackets and screws. Ensure both shafts face outward.

Attach both DC motors to the chassis using metal brackets and screws.

Step 2: Install the Wheels & Caster

Fix the wheels onto the motor shafts.

Attach the front caster wheel for support.

Press the yellow wheels onto each motor shaft and fix the caster wheel at the front for support.

Step 3: Mount the Battery Holder

Secure the 4 or 6×AA battery holder on the top plate of the chassis.

Fix the 6×AA battery holder at the top center of the chassis using screws or double-sided tape.

Step 4: (Optional) Power Switch

Install a small ON/OFF switch between the battery and motor driver if desired.

You can install a small ON/OFF switch between the battery positive wire and the motor driver — but in this project, we connected the battery directly.

🧠 Installing the Electronics

Step 1: Mount the Modules

Place the Arduino UNO, L298N motor driver, and a small breadboard on the chassis top plate.

Place the Arduino UNO, L298N Motor Driver, and a small breadboard on the top plate of the chassis.

Step 2: Connect Motors to L298N

Wire the left and right DC motors to the L298N motor driver outputs (OUT1–OUT4).

• Left motor → OUT1, OUT2

• Right motor → OUT3, OUT4

Step 3: Power Connections

Connect the battery holder directly to the L298N power terminals (12V and GND) and share ground with the Arduino.

• Battery + → 12V on L298N

• Battery – → GND on L298N

• L298N GND → Arduino GND (common ground)

Step 4: L298N to Arduino

Link the control pins IN1–IN4 from the L298N to Arduino pins 9, 8, 7, and 6.

• IN1 → Pin 9

• IN2 → Pin 8

• IN3 → Pin 7

• IN4 → Pin 6

• ENA, ENB → 5V (full speed)

Step 5: Connect HC-05 Bluetooth Module

Use a small breadboard to mount the HC-05 and resistors, then connect it to Arduino pins 2 and 3.

Use a small breadboard to attach the HC-05 and resistors:

• VCC → 5V

• GND → GND

• TX → Pin 2

• RX → Pin 3 (through 1 kΩ & 2 kΩ voltage divider)

💻 Arduino Code

You can download the code HERE.
#include <softwareserial.h>
SoftwareSerial BT(2,3); // RX=2, TX=3

// Motor pins (L298N)
const int ENA=10, IN1=9, IN2=8;    // Right motor
const int ENB=11, IN3=7, IN4=6;    // Left motor
int motorSpeed=200;

byte buf[10]; // buffer for incoming bytes
int bufIndex=0;

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);
  BT.begin(38400);
  Serial.println("🔹 2WD Car Ready - Waiting for commands");

  pinMode(ENA, OUTPUT); pinMode(ENB, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(IN1, OUTPUT); pinMode(IN2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(IN3, OUTPUT); pinMode(IN4, OUTPUT);

  stopCar();
}

void loop(){
  while(BT.available()){
    byte b = BT.read();
    buf[bufIndex++] = b;
    if(bufIndex > 9) bufIndex = 0; // prevent overflow

    // -------- Left Control --------
    if(bufIndex >= 3){
      // Upward - Forward
      if(buf[bufIndex-3]==248 && buf[bufIndex-2]==0 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("↑ Left Up - Forward");
        forward(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Downward - Backward
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==0 && buf[bufIndex-2]==128 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("↓ Left Down - Backward");
        backward(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Left - Turn Left
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==120 && buf[bufIndex-2]==248 && buf[bufIndex-1]==120){
        Serial.println("← Left - Turn Left");
        left(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Right - Turn Right
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==128 && buf[bufIndex-2]==0 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("→ Left - Turn Right");
        right(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Center - Stop
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==128 && buf[bufIndex-2]==128 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("■ Left Center - Stop");
        stopCar(); bufIndex=0;
      }
    }

    // -------- Right Control --------
    if(bufIndex >= 3){
      // Upward - Forward
      if(buf[bufIndex-3]==248 && buf[bufIndex-2]==128 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("↑ Right Up - Forward");
        forward(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Downward - Backward
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==0 && buf[bufIndex-2]==248 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("↓ Right Down - Backward");
        backward(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Left - Turn Left
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==120 && buf[bufIndex-2]==128 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("← Right Left - Turn Left");
        left(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Right - Turn Right
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==128 && buf[bufIndex-2]==128 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("→ Right Right - Turn Right");
        right(500); bufIndex=0;
      }
      // Center - Stop
      else if(buf[bufIndex-3]==0 && buf[bufIndex-2]==248 && buf[bufIndex-1]==248){
        Serial.println("■ Right Center - Stop");
        stopCar(); bufIndex=0;
      }
    }
  }
}

/* ----- Motor functions with duration ----- */
void forward(int duration){
  digitalWrite(IN1,HIGH); digitalWrite(IN2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(IN3,HIGH); digitalWrite(IN4,LOW);
  analogWrite(ENA,motorSpeed); analogWrite(ENB,motorSpeed);
  delay(duration);
  stopCar();
}

void backward(int duration){
  digitalWrite(IN1,LOW); digitalWrite(IN2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(IN3,LOW); digitalWrite(IN4,HIGH);
  analogWrite(ENA,motorSpeed); analogWrite(ENB,motorSpeed);
  delay(duration);
  stopCar();
}

void left(int duration){
  digitalWrite(IN1,LOW); digitalWrite(IN2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(IN3,HIGH); digitalWrite(IN4,LOW);
  analogWrite(ENA,motorSpeed); analogWrite(ENB,motorSpeed);
  delay(duration);
  stopCar();
}

void right(int duration){
  digitalWrite(IN1,HIGH); digitalWrite(IN2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(IN3,LOW); digitalWrite(IN4,HIGH);
  analogWrite(ENA,motorSpeed); analogWrite(ENB,motorSpeed);
  delay(duration);
  stopCar();
}

void stopCar(){
  digitalWrite(IN1,LOW); digitalWrite(IN2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(IN3,LOW); digitalWrite(IN4,LOW);
  analogWrite(ENA,0); analogWrite(ENB,0);
}

📱 Pairing and App Setup (UBRcontrol App)


Turn on the car and open UBRcontrol on your phone.
Insert the batteries and turn on your smart car the HC-05 Bluetooth module’s LED should start blinking.
Launch the UBRcontrol app on your smartphone to begin pairing.


Pair with HC-05.
Connect to the HC-05 Bluetooth module.


Go to Settings → Control Settings → Left Controls.


Assign buttons:


c: Forward


d: Backward


a: Left


b: Right


r: Stop

🚗 Final Test

Insert the batteries and power up your car. Once the Bluetooth module lights up, connect via UBRcontrol.



Press Forward (c) → Car moves forward


Press Backward (d) → Moves backward


Press Left (a) / Right (b) → Turns direction


Press Center (r) → Stops the car


Your Bluetooth-controlled Arduino robot car is ready — have fun driving it!

Enjoy your fully functional Bluetooth-controlled 2WD robot car!

📦 Where to Buy
Shopee:
UNO R3
2WD  Robot Car Chassis
L298N Driver
HC-05 Bluetooth
Dupont Jumper
Breadboard
Lazada:
UNO R3
2WD  Robot Car Chassis
L298N Driver
HC-05 Bluetooth
Dupont Jumper
Breadboard
TikTok:
UNO R3
2WD  Robot Car Chassis
L298N Driver
HC-05 Bluetooth
Dupont Jumper
Breadboard
Aliexpress:
UNO R3
2WD  Robot Car Chassis
L298N Driver
HC-05 Bluetooth
Dupont Jumper
Breadboard

📸 Conclusion

You’ve just built your own Arduino Bluetooth Smart Car! This project teaches basic motor control, serial communication, and smartphone interfacing — a great foundation for future robotics projects like line following or obstacle avoidance.


💬 Don’t forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more Arduino and DIY electronics projects! 🚗💡