Arduino Kit - Cheap

From OpenCircuits
Jump to navigation Jump to search

This page will attempt to put together a list of parts for a "cheap" arduino kit that might be suitable for school use. We will start sourcing on ebay and amazon, then perhaps branch out. Be aware that sources and prices change fast so this will get out of date fast.

Components

Lets assume that we have 10 students and they will work in teams of pairs. For some components each team will need one component ( Arduino and BreadBoard ) for others one kit will do for a whole class. A few of the components we will scrounge up.


  • Arduinos -- must be usb ( will need usb cables )
  • Prototyping Bread Board
  • Wire for proto board
  • LED
  • Power Supply
  • IR transmitter/receiver - cause remote control is cool.

Sourcing

I will assume that the buyer has Amazon Prime, and that the Ebay prices include ( the often free ) shipping. Note that Prime shipping is usually much faster than Ebay, and while its prices ( now ) seem to be higher, the time factor sometimes makes it worth it.


Arduino

  • Ebay $xx per unit
  • Amazon $xx- $7.00 per unit ( higher price has voltage regulator )
  • So for a class of 10, 10 units: Ebay $xx, Amazon $xx

Criteria

  • USB
  • Proto Board Friendly
  • Willing to do some soldering to save money
  • Indifferent to speed or lots of IO as long as it has the basics
  • Cable for usb nice but seems to add $1.00 on ebay

Some Links

  • Search sting suggestion: arduino nano usb with cable

Proto Board

  • Ebay $2.50 per unit
  • Amazon $3.00 - $7.00 per unit ( higher price has voltage regulator )
  • So for a class of 10, 10 units: Ebay $25.00, Amazon $70.00

Some Links


Proto Wire

Cost $0.00

Salvage from old phone wire or ethernet cable.

Power Supply

Cost $0.00

At low currents ( no motors for example ) use the computer's supply ( through usb ). At higher currents use salvage stuff, old wall warts, and computer power supplies.

IR Sensor

For now get with transmitters.

IR Transmitter

Seem easy to get with sensor so go for both.

  • Ebay, about $1.50 per unit
  • Amazon arout $6.00 per unit
  • So for a class of 10, 5 units: Ebay $7.50, Amazon $30.00

Some Links


LED and Suitable Resistor

  • Some color
  • Some some white
  • No multi colored or built in blink at leas for now.
  • will need current limiting resistors, see resistors section.

Get in kits, one kit per class of 10 ( or more ) should do.

Resistors

for LED and what ever


Ebay about $10.00 per kit

One kit per class $10.00


LCD

Nice to have a backlight but not necessary

Stepper Motor and Driver

  • Ebay $2.50
  • Amazon $3.00 ( 5 at a time )

Servo Motor

Laser

Tools

  • Needle Nose Plyers
  • Wire Cutters
  • Wire Strippers
  • Multi Meter
Retrieved from "http://www.opencircuits.com/index.php?title=Arduino_Kit_-_Cheap&oldid=79411"