Need help with really simple thing!

[hyaku_]

Hello!
I need a little help! I'm really new to electronics! Please take a look at this picture:

That C1! How is it called? when I connect my led with C1 and battery, it only flashes once and then only flashes second time, if I disconnect and connect wires again! What is the point of this C1? Thank you!

 

[Dazza]

Hi hyaku_

You do realize that you have a NPN(Q1) and PNP(Q2) transistors?. C1 is an electrolytic capacitor polarised,(+ and -).
D1 and your LED are also polarised. If you have connected one of your transistors incorrectly it may be damaged.

More than likely you have made a connection error .

I hope this helps .

 

[Kevin Weddle]

C1 is the oscillator portion of the circuit. It charges from the apllied 12volts and discharges from the last transistor that turns on when there is 12volts and turns off when the discharge reduces the voltage at the first transistor.

 

[hyaku_]

Thank you!
I haven't created that circuit jet, but soon I will !!! ;D
Can you please tell me more about this C1! Where is it used for? Thank you!

 

[Yevgenip]

C1 is a component called a capacitor(cap for short). The simplest capacitor is non-polorized and consists basicly of two metal plates that are seperated by a thin layer of non-conducting material. It is capable of storing energy and releasing it. It's capacitance is measured with Farads. One Farad is the capacitance of such a capacitor that a voltage of one volt over it will create a charge of one Colon in it. That is a lot so we use mF, uF, nF and pF.
An electrolytic capacitor is similar, only it is polorized.

Hope I Helped! ;D

 

[hyaku_]

Thank you very much!!! ;D