Total solder points: 271

Difficulty level: beginner 1  2  3  4  5  advanced

2 x 15 LED STEREO VU METER

K4306
level
high pre c ision audio
For
indication

ILLUSTRATED ASSEMBLY MANUAL H4306IP-1

Features & Specifications

Features:
For visualization of audio signals.
Use with mixing panels, amplifiers, car audio systems…
Easily connects to the line-level output (LOW INPUT) from any tape deck, stereo system, or CD player.
A special input (HIGH INPUT) is provided, so that the unit can directly be connected to the speaker
output of most systems*.
To make it universal, the readout can be set as DOT or BAR indication.
The supplied display window for vertical or horizontal mounting, makes the unit very attractive.

Specifications:
Bar or dot readout.
Scale: -23dB to +5dB, 15 LED’s per channel.
dB-linear division from -4 to +5dB (1dB per led).
Systematically growing steps below -4dB.
Accuracy: ±0.5dB (1KHz).
Frequency range: 20Hz to 30KHz (-3dB).
Three different LED colors: green, orange and red.
Adjustable input sensitivity: 150mV to 5Vrms Low input
1.5V to 50Vrms High input
Input impedance: 47K Low input / 470K High input
Power supply: 12 to 15VDC / 300mA
Dimensions: 150 x 57mm


NOT SUITED FOR CONNECTION TO HIGH POWER CAR STEREO SYSTEM

2
 Assembly hints

1. Assembly (Skipping this can lead to troubles ! )

Ok, so we have your attention. These hints will help you to make this project successful. Read them carefully.

1.1 Make sure you have the right tools:

 A good quality soldering iron (25-40W) with a small tip.

 Wipe it often on a wet sponge or cloth, to keep it clean; then apply solder to the tip, to give it a wet look. This is called ‘thinning’ and will
protect the tip, and enables you to make good connections. When solder rolls off the tip, it needs cleaning.
 Thin raisin-core solder. Do not use any flux or grease.
 A diagonal cutter to trim excess wires. To avoid injury when cutting excess leads, hold the lead so they
cannot fly towards the eyes.
 Needle nose pliers, for bending leads, or to hold components in place.
 Small blade and Phillips screwdrivers. A basic range is fine.
0.0
00
For some projects, a basic multi-meter is required, or might be handy

1.2 Assembly Hints :

 Make sure the skill level matches your experience, to avoid disappointments.
 Follow the instructions carefully. Read and understand the entire step before you perform each operation.
 Perform the assembly in the correct order as stated in this manual
 Position all parts on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) as shown on the drawings.
 Values on the circuit diagram are subject to changes.
 Values in this assembly guide are correct*
 Use the check-boxes to mark your progress.
 Please read the included information on safety and customer service
* Typographical inaccuracies excluded. Always look for possible last minute manual updates, indicated as ‘NOTE’ on a separate leaflet.

3
Assembly hints

1.3 Soldering Hints :

1- Mount the component against the PCB surface and carefully solder the leads

2- Make sure the solder joints are cone-shaped and shiny

3- Trim excess leads as close as possible to the solder joint

REMOVE THEM FROM THE TAPE ONE AT A TIME !

DO NOT BLINDLY FOLLOW THE ORDER OF THE

COMPONENTS ONTO THE TAPE. ALWAYS CHECK
THEIR VALUE ON THE PARTS LIST!

4
 Construction

1. Jumper wires

BAR readout :

BAR DOT

JB1


ht

ht
ft

ft
Rig

Rig
Le

Le
JB2


+5

+5
JB3


+4

+4
JB4


+3

+3
+2

+2
+1

+1
J1
 J7
 DOT readout :

B
0d

0d
J2
 J8


-1

-1
J3
 J9


-2

-2
J4
 J10

J5
 J11


-3

-3
JD1

J6


-4

-4
JD2


-6

-6
-8

-8
0

0
-1

-1
3

3
-1

-1
3

3
-2

-2
5
Construction

2. Diodes. Watch the polarity ! 4. Metal film resistors R10

 : 47K (4 - 7 - 3 - B)
R11
 : 2K2 (2 - 2 - 2 - B)
R... R12
 : 18K (1 - 8 - 3 - B)
CATHODE
D... R13
 : 18K (1 - 8 - 3 - B)
R14
 : 2K2 (2 - 2 - 2 - B)
R15
 : 1K (1 - 0 - 2 - B)
R16
 : 1K (1 - 0 - 2 - B)
R17
 : 2K2 (2 - 2 - 2 - B)
D1
 : 1N4148 R18
 : 2K2 (2 - 2 - 2 - B)
D2
 : 1N4148 R19
 : 2K2 (2 - 2 - 2 - B)
D3
 : 1N4148 R1
 : 3K (3 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1)
R2
 : 3K9 (3 - 9 - 0 - 1 - 1) R20
 : 330 (3 - 3 - 1 - B)
D4
 : 1N4148
D5
 : 1N4148 R3
 : 3K (3 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1)
D6
 : 1N4148 R4
 : 3K9 (3 - 9 - 0 - 1 - 1) 6. IC sockets. Watch the
D7
 : 1N4148
D8
 : 1N4148 position of the notch!
D9
 : 1N4007 5. Resistors
R...
3. Zenerdiode. Watch the
polarity !
ZD1 : 6V2

IC1
 : 8p
CATHODE R5
 : 470K (4 - 7 - 4 - B) IC2
 : 8p
R6
 : 47K (4 - 7 - 3 - B) IC3
 : 18p
ZD... R7
 : 47K (4 - 7 - 3 - B) IC4
 : 18p
R8
 : 470K (4 - 7 - 4 - B) IC5
 : 18p
R9
 : 47K (4 - 7 - 3 - B) IC6
 : 18p

6
 Construction

7. Capacitors. 9. Electrolytic Capacitors. 11. LEDs. Watch the polarity!

Watch the polarity !
C...
C...

23mm
- LD... 13mm
0.9"

CATHODE

C1 : 220nF (224) 
C4 : 470µF
C2 : 220nF (224)


C5 : 47µF
C3 : 220nF (224)


C6 : 47µF LD1
 : green

C7 : 470µF LD2
 : green
8. Trim potentiometers
LD3
 : green
10. 1W resistors LD4
 : green
LD5
 : green
R... LD6
 : green
LD7
 : green
LD8
 : green
LD9
 : green
LD10
 : green
RV1 : 220K
 2mm

RV2 : 220K
 LD11
 : green
LD12
 : green
R21 : 47 (4 - 7 - 0 - B )

R22 : 47 (4 - 7 - 0 - B )


7
Construction

LD13
 : green 12. IC’s. Watch the polarity !
LD14
 : green
LD15
 : green
LD16
 : green
LD17
 : green
LD18
 : green
LD19
 : green
LD20
 : green
LD21
 : yellow
LD22
 : yellow IC1
 : 741
LD23
 : yellow IC2
 : 741
LD24
 : yellow IC3
 : LM3916
LD25
 : red IC4
 : LM3916
IC5
 : LM3916
LD26
 : red IC6
 : LM3916
LD27
 : red
LD28
 : red
LD29
 : red
LD30
 : red

8
 Assembly

13. Assembly

141.5
Ø3.5 21.5

(A) Make the holes in the housing or panel (fig.1.0) :

7
22.6

47
6mm M3 COUNTERSUNK-HEAD BOLT
118

7
5.4
Fig. 1.0

(B) Mount the suitable spacers (fig. 2.0) :

10mm M3 SPACER

LOCK WASHER
6mm M3 COUNTERSUNK-HEAD BOLT

2...3mm FRONTPANEL
SHAKEPROOF WASHER

10mm M3 SPACER

Fig. 2.0

9
Assembly

(C) Mount the PCB onto the spacers (fig 3.0) :

6mm M3 COUNTERSUNK-HEAD BOLT

2...3mm FRONTPANEL
4mm M3 BOLT SHAKEPROOF WASHER
10mm M3 SPACER
PCB

Fig. 3.0 4mm M3 BOLT

10
 Connection

14. Connection to a suitable signal

Connecting to a line level output (tuner, preamplifier, cd player… ) and connecting a power supply
from 12 to 15VDC / 300mA max..

HI LEFT
LO
TAPE L
OUT
R LO
HI RIGHT
FROM AUDIO AMPLIFIER +V
K4306

1N4007
+
12V/300mA 1000uF/25V
MAINS +
12V/300mA 12...15VDC
1N4007 POWER
SUPPLY
12V/300mA
MAINS +
1000uF/25V

Fig. 4.0

Connect the unit to a suitable supply voltage between 12VDC and 15VDC, this can also be a standard DC
adapter. You can also build your own power supply, see diagram. Use a 2x12V transformer, two rectifier
diodes and a electrolytic capacitor or use a single 12V transformer with a bridge rectifier and a electrolytic
capacitor.

11
Connection

15. Connection to a speaker output

Connecting to a speaker level output and connecting a power supply from 12 to 15VDC / 300mA max.

LEFT SPEAKER L+ HI LEFT

LO
L-
INPUT (0)
R- LO
RIGHT SPEAKER HI RIGHT
R+
FROM POWER AMPLIFIER +V
K4306
1N4007
+
12V/300mA 1000uF/25V
MAINS
12V/300mA +
12...15VDC
1N4007
POWER
12V/300mA
SUPPLY
MAINS +
1000uF/25V

Fig. 5.0

Connect the unit to a suitable supply voltage between 12VDC and 15VDC, this can also be a standard DC
adapter. You can also build your own power supply, see diagram. Use a 2x12V transformer, two rectifier
diodes and a electrolytic capacitor or use a single 12V transformer with a bridge rectifier and a electrolytic
capacitor.

12
 Connection

16. Connection to a car radio

Connecting to a speaker output from a regular car radio.

L+ HI
LEFT SPEAKER LEFT
L- LO

R- LO
RIGHT SPEAKER HI RIGHT
R+
+12V ANTENNE POWER OUT +V
K4306
CAR RADIO
Fig. 6.0


REMARK: Do not connect the unit to a high power car booster or car stereo, this equipment uses
isolated ground connection. The connection to this kind of amplifier can cause permanent damage to the
amplifier or car radio!


Adjust the units sensitivity according to your preference by means of the trim potentiometer RV1

13
PCB

17. PCB LAYOUT

14
 Diagram

18. DIAGRAM
R8
HIGH IN
470K
C2 RV2 +V +V
R7 +V +V
LOW IN V+ V+
47K 220K
RIGHT 220n 3 +5dB LD29 3 +5dB LD30
R10 10 10
RED RED
GND JB3 JB4
47K 1N4148
+4dB LD27 +4dB LD28
MODE 11 MODE 11
+V D4 9 RED 9 RED
DOT/BAR IC5 +3dB LD25 DOT/BAR IC6 +3dB LD26
2 7 D3 12 12
6 LM3916 RED LM3916 RED
IC2 SIG SIG
3
5 +2dB LD23 5 +2dB LD24
4 1N4148 RLO 13 RLO 13
YELLOW YELLOW
4 LD21 4 LD22
R3 RHI
+1dB RHI +1dB
UA741 3K 14 14
6 YELLOW 6 YELLOW
REF 15 NC REF 15 NC
7 16 NC
7 16 NC
IC1 = A1,A2
R4 R17 17 NC R18 17 NC
3K9 2K2 2K2
ADJ 18 NC ADJ
18 NC
R5 8 2 1 NC 8 2 1 NC
HIGH IN
470K R19
2K2 V- V-
R6 C1 RV1 +V +V
DOT/BAR DOT/BAR
LOW IN D6 D8
220K JD2 R15 1N4148 JD1 R16 1N4148
47K 220n 1K
LEFT JB2 D5 JB1 1K
D7
R9
GND +V 1N4148 1N4148
V+ MODE V+ MODE
47K 1N4148
+V D2 3 9 0dB LD19 3 9 0dB LD20
10 10
GREEN GREEN
R20 2 7
330 6
D1 SIG -1dB LD17 SIG -1dB LD18
3 IC1 5 11 5 11
GREEN GREEN
4 1N4148 R12 R13
R1 IC4 IC3
UA741 18K 18K
3K
LM3916 LM3916
C5 -2dB LD15 C6 -2dB LD16
47u
12 47u
12
R2 GREEN GREEN
3K9 -3dB LD13 -3dB LD14
RLO 13 RLO 13
GREEN GREEN
4 4
RHI
-4dB LD11 RHI
-4dB LD12
6 14 6 14
ZD1 C7 GREEN GREEN
REF REF
6V2 470u 7 -6dB LD9 7 -6dB LD10
15 15
R14 GREEN GREEN
1N4007 R11
2K2 -8dB LD7 2K2 -8dB LD8
D9 ADJ 16 ADJ 16
GREEN +V GREEN +V
+ +V 8 8
-10dB LD5 -10dB LD6
12...15VDC 17 17
C4 C3 GREEN GREEN
GND 470u 220n -13dB LD3 -13dB LD4
18 R21 18 R22
GREEN 47/1W GREEN 47/1W
-23dB LD1 -23dB LD2
2 1 2 1
GREEN GREEN
V- V-
modifications reserved

15
 VELLEMAN NV
Legen Heirweg 33, B-9890 GAVERE
Belgium (Europe)

Modifications and typographical errors reserved

© Velleman nv. H4306IP - 2014 - ED1 (rev.1) 5 410329 289959