Good evening all. I'm in the very beginning stages of planning an Ardunio project and could use some help. My issue is that I have no idea what I need to start with.
I've been looking into the various project kits available, but most contain parts and pieces that I'll probably never use. I would like to piece together a "kit" for my project, but have absolutely know idea what I need......
Here's what I'm looking for. I would like to build a control system for my dart frog vivarium. I would like it to include the following:
Control LED's including auto on/off with sunrise and sunset
Monitor temp. and humidity with a probe
control fogger to automatically turn on and off
control two 12v fans individually including speed
5)I would also like the ability to manually control the above items
add the 1620 LCD or touch screen
Could I get a list of all of the individual Arduino pieces needed to build this. I do not need the fans, fogger or LED's but I do need a list of ALL of the components needed, everything from the Ardunio to the resisters.
Can someone help me compile a list of all the pieces I would need?
Control LED's including auto on/off with sunrise and sunset
Controlling LED wont be problem , You can use to Normal LED for indication. You might require DS1307 or DS3233 sensor to determine time. usally time get drift based on months ,year etc. so choose appropriate RTC
Monitor temp. and humidity with a probe
This depend on you. LM35 internal temperature & RTD sensor can used for extenal, based on application you choose your Temprature & humidity sensor
If this is your first Arduino project don't try to buy everything at once. You need time to learn the system before you can know what you really need.
An Uno is the best Arduino to start with because nearly all the software and add-ons work with it.
Buy a solderless breadboard for connecting things while you experiment.
Buy a few LEDS and some resistors to limit the current. You MUST use a resistor with an LED. 1000 ohm resistors will work nicely.
Perhaps buy an LM35 or LM335 temperature sensor - they are cheap and easy to work with for learning purposes.
Then learn to write programs. There are many examples with the Arduino IDE.
Don't try to create your complete project in one go. Write short programs to learn each piece separately. When you can do them all separately it will be time to start joining them together.
Robin2:
If this is your first Arduino project don't try to buy everything at once. You need time to learn the system before you can know what you really need.
An Uno is the best Arduino to start with because nearly all the software and add-ons work with it.
Buy a solderless breadboard for connecting things while you experiment.
Buy a few LEDS and some resistors to limit the current. You MUST use a resistor with an LED. 1000 ohm resistors will work nicely.
Perhaps buy an LM35 or LM335 temperature sensor - they are cheap and easy to work with for learning purposes.
Then learn to write programs. There are many examples with the Arduino IDE.
Don't try to create your complete project in one go. Write short programs to learn each piece separately. When you can do them all separately it will be time to start joining them together.
You will also pick up a lot of knowledge just by reading Threads on the Forum even if they don't seem related to your concerns.
Thanks for all of the help everyone. I don't plan on trying to buy everything at once, but would like to know what pieces I will need to get to my ultimate goal. I have every intention to start off slow and learn about code and the Arduino before I start an official "project".
I have this mental hurdle that comes with all of my hobbies about buying stuff I don't necessarily need. I've been becoming a pack rat lately and really don't want to have to store more project pieces than I have to. I know it sounds crazy, but between building vivariums(hobby) and building custom furniture(career) I have a lot of misc. pieces all over the place. That and I also have a little issue with getting distracted easily. If I don't buy a kit with all the little motors and servos, than I can't get overly distracted playing with other things than the task on hand.
My List So Far.....
Ardunio Uno R3
RTC
1620 LCD
4 or 8 channel 5v Relay shield
bread board
transistors
resisters
wire
is there any other MAJOR piece that I'm missing? such as power distribution, MOSFET, and so on?
Keep in mind that this is all new to me, please feel free to explain it to me in terms a 5yr old would understand
