I have an LED, I'll probably buy more at RS though.
Anything else that's cheap that I could have fun with, preferably at radioshack, (I don't want to buy from another online store) would be cool if you could recommend.
From the looks of that list you’re just starting out with microcontrollers, am I right??? If so, you’re going to want to build an inventory of parts. Just all sorts of stuff, especially transistors, resisters and capacitors. The best way is to collect a bunch of old electronics, rip out the circuit boards and go at them with a soldering iron disordering every part you see. Things to look for, computer mother boards, VCRs (fun mechanical parts as well), TVs (be careful of high voltages, do some research), telephones, clocks, radios, you get the picture. Ask your friends for all their old junk.
I have ever only used a BASIC Stamp, so I don’t know much about the Arduino. But as for new stuff you may want to order and play around with some registers, memory chips, ADC and DACs, and rs232 drivers. Also that battery clip you want is great for robots but you should look into making or buying a wall wart if you plan on sinking or sourcing much current as the battery will dye quick, especially with servos.
I’m fairly new to all this as well so that’s just my 10 cents (inflation LOL)
Good luck, and remember never pass up a piece of gold (junk), even if it’s in someone’s garbage.
Thanks, I’m on a fairly low budget, with me needing a phone and all these new things that I <sarcasm>ABSOLUTELY NEED</sarcasm> And my dad won’t let me take apart too many things because he doesn’t want me to take apart things I spent a lot of money on, even if I had completely forgotten about it.
I’m off to my ugly basement to find exciting random electronics.
[and yes, I’m just starting with microcontrollers]
Ok well low budget describes most of us, so don’t ever let it discourage you. I mean look at me I’ve been working on a 3-axis CNC since 7th grade, I graduate high school in about a month and it’s still not finished, for what reason, lack of money… If I had money I could have built that thing in a week LOL!!! And your listen to your dad, if something still works just leave it be. Keep your eyes on the lookout for junk, always!!! Do you have a local electronics recycling center, sometimes they will let you take a few circuit boards if you promise to bring the scraps back to them. How old are you by the way? Oh and I’ll get you a list of cool sites ok!!!
I’m only 11, so my dad will be helping me build the robot for the most part, but I’ll be doing the coding… Because my dad and I can both agree that I’m better at coding than him
And since my last post, I’ve already said good-bye to a $1 remote and a $0.02 blinking circular reflector thing… lol.
Very nice choices, but you’ll need a different battery pack to run the servos. A 9 volt isn’t powerful enough (current) where 4 AAs work very well for servos, rated for 4.8 volt (rechargeable) operation. Remember to tie the grounds together if you use both the 9 volt ( to power the Arduino) and a 4.8 volt pack (for the servos).
Thanks, I forgot about the servos. Can I do something like this for the servo+arduino connection? Sorry for bad diagram, did it in like 5 mins in paint.
I already have a couple 4AA battery packs, so I should be good there.
Relative voltage, a 5 volt logic signal generated by the Arduino could appear to be 0.1 volts at the servo, unless a “common ground” is shared to measure the voltage from. If the ground of the servo power is connected to the ground of the Arduino power, then 5 volts from the Arduino looks like 5 volts on the servo.
Imagine you, standing 5’ whatever on the floor, with your buddy also standing 5’ whatever on a platform beside you. Because you both aren’t on a “common floor” he appears much taller than you. If you both use the floor as a reference, then you are the same height. The ground wire between the 2 power sources makes them start from a common floor.
This is great I’m glad to see that you’re asking questions, and not just taking someone’s word! And that analogy is perfect, going to use it sometime! You’re not a “noob” trust me, there is no one out there that knows absolutely everything there is to know about every electrical component. Though I must say there are defiantly some very experienced people and it amazes me to talk with them!!! Hey question do you have a Digital Electronics class at school? We do, and I was in it last year, good place to pick up some resisters, LEDs, and logic chips (AND, OR, NOR, IN….)
No electronics class at No electronics class at school, and none in middle school, but there’s a robotics club in high school, but it’s about 4 yrs away
Ok that’s all right, this robotics club? Do you know if it’s a FIRST team? Well whatever it is go there, seriously go to one of their meetings and just check it out. I’m currently on the team at school and I know I’d be supper excited if someone like you showed up, even if you are in middle school. Id show you around our shop, let you mess with the robot, and most importantly just let you watch us work on stuff, that’s how you learn!!! So please I encourage you to call over to the high school and ask to speak to the teacher who is in charge of robotics, and see if you can’t set up a day to go over there. I guaranty whoever you speack to would be very impressed that you called and tell you to come on over, who knows you may get some free stuff… I know we have a bunch of scrap Lexan, wire, tubing, and hardware that id let you take home. If you have never heard of FIRST look it up http://usfirst.org/and I have pictures and movies of our robot on this site so search: “2009 FIRST FRC Robot, Team 2197”
OK awesome, FIRST teams are all about being gracious and professional so let them help you. I used to be and still am very shy, something I have to work really hard at and make conscience efforts to improve every day. I don’t know anything about you but you’re just like me I can tell. And as a caring human bean I want you to succeed and I’m willing to help. Would it help if I called this robotics team for you? I could explain to them your situation and like I said, just get you in there look at some stuff and meet a few really awesome people. I’m serious id do that for you! Or even e-mail, if you can just tell me what the name of your high school is or even what team number they are I’ll get a hold of someone for you. And again don’t be shy!!! Especially in classes, if you have a question ask it, that’s something I regret not doing every day.
