Parts, Tools, and Supplies
Since a lot of supplies for our classes, 211, 262, 311, 346, 347, 490A, 490B etc… are common, I’ve put this page together to give some sources and ideas for assembling your own parts.
Lab and Test equipment like Soldering Irons, Multimeters, Oscilloscopes and Logic Analyzers have their own dedicated pages.
Online is not the only location, JK Electronics located in Westminster is a great source of parts especially at those last minute times when you need something specific that you couldn’t find an amazon/ebay special for…. http://www.jkelectronics.com/
Resistor Assortment of 1/4 watt, Various Values
All the different values of resistors you would need on strips of cut-tape in bulk. Not the most convenient packaging. But they work, you can also find kits with nice bags all marked with the values.
Amazon – Guanruixin Resistor Kit
Capacitor Kit – Assorted Values
An assortment of of different valued Electrolytic and Ceramic Capacitors is good to have avaiable
Amazon – Ceramic Capacitor Kit 100nF to 10uF
Amazon – Electrolytic Capacitor Kit 0.1uF to 1000uF
These are just two links that I found for two kits that cover 90% of the values you would want for any future electronics projects. You could always split up these kits 2 or 3 ways with other students to go cheaper. You can always find a better assortment by searching amazon more looking at ebay, or you can just buy them in smaller quantities at specific values from a electronics store retailer like JK Electronics or possibly Radio Shack if they still exist.
Wire Strippers
I like the Greenlee’s but any wire strippers will get the job done. Wires come in many different diameters (Gauges/AWG). I prefer the strippers that work on the range of 30-20 AWG, as I find these to be the most useful for the gauges of wire that we work with…
Amazon – Greenlee Wire Strippers
Side Cutters / Flush Cutters / Wire Cutters
Although you can use the above wire strippers to cut wire, being able to snip wire close to a prototype or reach into small places is invaluable. I like these as they are cheap and hold up well.
Oscilloscope Probes
In the lab we have oscilloscopes provided on the bench but they do not have the probes that are necessary, you will have to provide your own
Amazon – Oscilloscope Probes x2
Other Project Parts
This section has not been updated in a few years, I’m just keeping it around for ideas.
Ranging Sensor – GP2Y0A41SK0F – 4cm – 30cm Distance – Analog Voltage
Analog Digital Converter – ADC0804
Mosfet – IRL510PBF N-Channel Logic Level
Other Sources: JK Electronics
Potentiometer – 10k – Variable Resistor
Geared Motor with Tire/Wheel Ideas
A motor in the 3-6v range should work well. Also, pay attention to the RPMs. How fast do you want your line follower to go? What about current draw? You might have to measure the current under normal operating conditions to get an idea of how to build the driver circuitry.
Amazon – Geared Motor and Wheel Pair
Amazon – Geared Motor and Wheel – Single
Other Sources include Radio Shack and JK Electronics
Sensor Ideas –
Photocell, CdS Cell (Cadmium Sulfate) – A variable resistor that changes based off of light.
Radio Shack, JK Electronics
Phototransistor – A transistor whose base is light-sensitive and controls the Collector/Emitter Current.
Radioshack, JK Electronics