Arduino Kit - Cheap

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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. Next i would like to look at https://www.aliexpress.com/ which seems to have even lower prices and longer lead times. Be aware that sources and prices change fast so this will get out of date fast.

Components[edit]

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.

Here is what we are looking for:

  • 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.
  • More sensors and actuators.

Sourcing[edit]

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[edit]

  • Ebay $4.00 per unit with cable
  • Amazon $5.00- $7.00 per unit ( higher price has voltage regulator ) no cable
  • So for a class of 10, 10 units: Ebay $40., Amazon $50.

Criteria[edit]

  • USB it turns out there are two common types CH340G and FTDI
    • CH340G about $2.00 cheaper per unit, may be harder to find drivers
    • FTDI easier to find drivers?? more or less the old standard
  • 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[edit]

  • Search sting suggestion: arduino nano usb with cable CH340G FTDI

Proto Board[edit]

  • 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

Criteria[edit]

  • 830 points, not a mini board


Some Links[edit]

  • Search sting suggestion: electronics breadboard 830 -mini



Proto Wire[edit]

Cost $0.00

Salvage from old phone wire or ethernet cable.

Power Supply[edit]

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[edit]

For now get with transmitters.

IR Transmitter[edit]

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[edit]


LED and Suitable Resistor[edit]

  • 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[edit]

for LED and what ever


Ebay about $10.00 per kit

One kit per class $10.00


LCD[edit]

Nice to have a backlight but not necessary

Stepper Motor and Driver[edit]

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

Servo Motor[edit]

Laser[edit]

Tools[edit]

  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Wire Cutters
  • Wire Strippers
  • Multi Meter
  • Soldering Iron and solder ( beware )
  • Small screw driver and similar tools
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