What is the relation between the .1 cap (connected to trig and gnd) and the 555 timer. What is its funtion? If I put a higher value what does it do to the overall circuitry?

 

Sounds like its time for you to experiment some.. .

Have you tried LT Pspice? It a free download circuit simulator. You place the components and use a draw tool to connect them. Right click on them and set values(10k,22uf,etc). Run the simulation,specify stop time and then use mouse to click around circuit and 'see' what the signals are doing.

 

The 0.1uF capacitor is discharged then when the battery is connected the capacitor causes pin 2 to be low which starts the timer. The 33k capacitor quickly charges the 0.1uF capacitor so that pin 2 is high allowing the timer to time-out. If the 0.1uF capacitor has a much higher value then the timer will never time-out.

 

This is a power up delay. You are triggering a monostable from the power up of the circuit. Look familiar?

 

So whats the highest I can safely go. I notice that if I put a small value that the micro vibrator has a tendency to turn on immediately after I turn on the unit.

The 0.1uF capacitor is discharged then when the battery is connected the capacitor causes pin 2 to be low which starts the timer. The 33k capacitor quickly charges the 0.1uF capacitor so that pin 2 is high allowing the timer to time-out. If the 0.1uF capacitor has a much higher value then the timer will never time-out.

 

Doesn't the circuit work properly with 0.1uF as the capacitor and 33k as the resistor as is shown on its schematic?

On another thread or on another website I asked if the 50M resistor (it is not a standard value and is much too high) works properly?
Did the Red LED burn out?
Do you have an ordinary 555 or a Cmos 555?