APPENDIX: GET THE PARTS
The projects in this book use a lot of parts, and unfortunately, there is no one supplier that has all of them. If you find a project you want to build or an experiment you want to try, carefully look through the “What You’ll Need” section and make a note of the things you don’t have. This will be your shopping list.
The tables in this appendix will help you find the items on your list. If you’re struggling to find something, do an internet search on the item’s name or description, and you’ll usually find somewhere you can buy it.
The Monk Makes Electronics Starter Kit for micro:bit (https://monkmakes.com/mb_kit/) will provide you with alligator clip cables as well as the Monk Makes Speaker and Sensor boards used in several of the projects in this book.
USEFUL TOOLS
Most of the projects and experiments in this book don’t require any tools beyond your hands. However, there are a few tools that every Mad Scientist should have available. You probably already have many of these in your home.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
Scissors |
|
|
Adhesive tape |
|
|
Screwdrivers |
Flat head and Phillips (cross head) |
|
Drill (for Chapter 6) |
|
|
Soldering kit (for Chapter 6) |
A low-cost kit is fine. You don’t need anything fancy. |
Ladyada’s Electronics Toolkit: https://www.adafruit.com/product/136. For lower-cost alternatives, search Amazon and eBay for “soldering kit.” |
Craft knife |
To cut shapes out of cardboard |
Craft/hobby store |
Pliers |
Medium-sized general-purpose pliers are useful for bending wire. |
Hardware store |
Ruler (inches and cm) |
|
Office supply store |
Blu-Tack/Adhesive putty |
This is great for sticking micro:bits to things in a nonpermanent manner. |
Office supply store |
Only the roving robot project in Chapter 6 requires any soldering. If you don’t plan to make this project, you won’t need a soldering kit.
Also in Chapter 6, the animatronic head project requires you to use a drill to make holes in ping-pong balls. Otherwise, you don’t need this piece of equipment.
COMMON PARTS
Here are some of the parts that are used in many of the projects and experiments in this book. A number of micro:bit “getting started” bundles include some or all of these items, and some of these are listed here as well.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
USB to micro USB data cable |
To power and program your micro:bit |
These cables are often used to charge cell phones, so you may have one lying around. If not, they are readily available from stores that carry cell phones or computers. They are also included in the micro:bit Go bundle and Pimoroni micro:bit accessories pack. |
Alligator clip cables |
To connect the micro:bit to various things |
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1592 |
Alligator clip to male header cables |
To connect the micro:bit to a servomotor |
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255 |
Here are some kits that contain some or all of these items.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
Pimoroni micro:bit accessories kit |
Includes a USB cable and battery box |
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/micro-bit-accessories-kit/ |
BBC micro:bit Go bundle |
Includes a micro:bit, USB cable, and battery box |
|
Monk Makes Electronics Starter Kit for micro:bit |
Includes alligator clip cables and a number of accessory boards |
https://www.eduporium.com/store/monk-makes-electronics-starter-kit-for-micro-bit.html |
POWERING YOUR MICRO:BIT
Here are some of the options available for powering your micro:bit.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
2 × AAA battery pack |
Holder for AAA batteries |
Available in the micro:bit Go bundle: https://www.adafruit.com/microbit |
Kitronik MI:power board |
Coin-cell power for your micro:bit |
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/5610-mipower-board-for-the-bbc-microbit.html |
Monk Makes Power for micro:bit |
Powers the micro:bit from a 4.5V to 12V DC source, which is useful for long-term powering of the micro:bit |
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/46144-monk-makes-power-board-for-microbit.html |
ElecFreaks micro:bit Power Supply Module |
The same concept as power for micro:bit (Note that the connecting cable is not included.) |
https://www.elecfreaks.com/estore/micro-bit-power-supply-module-3-3v-2a.html |
Charger kit for micro:bit |
Rechargeable battery and case kit for micro:bit |
|
USB backup battery |
A useful rechargeable battery option (not suitable for high-current projects) |
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1959 |
MICRO:BIT ACCESSORIES
This book makes ample use of micro:bit accessories, like speakers and sensors. Here are some options for the accessories.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
Monk Makes Speaker for micro:bit |
Loudspeaker for sound-related projects |
https://www.eduporium.com/store/monk-makes-speaker-for-micro-bit.html |
Mini.Mu speaker |
Loudspeaker for sound-related projects |
|
Monk Makes Sensor for micro:bit |
Sound, temperature, and light sensor |
https://www.eduporium.com/store/monk-makes-sensor-for-micro-bit.html |
Adafruit MEMS Microphone Breakout |
Advanced option for sound sensing (soldering required) |
|
Kitronik Motor Driver Board for the BBC micro:bit (V2) |
For the robot rover project in Chapter 6 |
https://www.kitronik.co.uk/5620-motor-driver-board-for-the-bbc-microbit-v2.html |
MISCELLANEOUS
As well as the add-on accessories, you’ll need a few other items.
Item |
Description |
Some Sources |
Neodymium magnet (10 mm disc) |
A very powerful disc magnet |
You might find these in a hobby/craft shop, but eBay is probably your best bet. Search for “neodymium magnets.” |
3V Servomotor |
Low-power servomotors that will operate at 3V |
https://www.adafruit.com/product/169 |
12V aquarium metering pump |
Used in the plant waterer project in Chapter 9 |
Tropical fish store or eBay, searching for “12V aquarium metering pump” |
1kΩ resistor |
Used in the plant waterer project in Chapter 9 |
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14492/ |
Female DC barrel jack to screw terminal adapter |
Used in the plant waterer project in Chapter 9 |
https://www.adafruit.com/product/369 |
12V power supply for the pump |
To power the pump in the plant waterer project in Chapter 9 (Pick one with your country’s type of AC outlet plug that can supply 12V at 1A) |
US: https://www.adafruit.com/product/798 |