In this blog post, I've decided to do something that feels a little personal but probably useful to anyone building their own rover project. It is a (mostly) complete parts list a long with current prices and where I got them. This list doesn't include all of the parts I tried and ultimately didn't use. This is just a list of what is currently on Inspiration. The Amazon links are my affiliate links so if you end up ordering something from the Amazon links, I'll get a small commission (at no cost to you of course). The other links are just simple links to those pages. The link for the Radio Shack solar panels is broken. I can't find them anywhere on the internet so I couldn't update the link.
This post is to show (mostly) what all has gone into this project and how quickly parts add up. This was supposed to be a simple and cheap project but as the years have gone by, new, smaller, and more capable products have come out so I've crammed as much stuff into this rover as I can without it getting too big and heavy (I still want to launch this thing ya know).
After many tests outside, the rover has grown in size to accommodate hills, rocks, and anything else in its way. It's still growing actually. I'm in the process of finally adding the ability to tilt the camera up and down as well as giving the metal detector more reach. I also plan on going back to the 2 battery system and have an Arduino Teensy serve as the brains of the power distribution system. That way the main system can be off at night or for efficient charging while the power sipping Teensy monitors sunlight and properly distributes power.
So enjoy the grocery list and I really hope it helps for anyone out there working on their own rover project. Feel free to leave a comment if you know of something better that I should be using or struggles you may have had with something. I'd love to hear how your projects are going!
If you haven't already, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and the website www.StrayRobotics.com (which needs work).
| Parts | Price | Quantity | Total | |
| Amazon orders | ||||
| Motor Driver | $5.50 | 1 | $5.50 | |
| Temp. Sensor | $6.79 | 1 | $6.79 | |
| Darlington Transisters | $8.27 | 1 | $8.27 | |
| Metal Detector Pinpointer | $35.39 | 1 | $35.39 | |
| Arduino Mega | $27.24 | 1 | $27.24 | |
| GPS | $17.66 | 1 | $17.66 | |
| Relays | $7.99 | 1 | $7.99 | |
| 5/32 tubing | $6.09 | 1 | $6.09 | |
| Sonic Range Finder | $6.95 | 1 | $6.95 | |
| sub-micro servo | $14.70 | 1 | $14.70 | |
| Battery Charger | $21.95 | 1 | $21.95 | |
| Li-Ion Battery | $19.99 | 2 | $39.98 | |
| Pololu | ||||
| 5V Regulator | $10.95 | 2 | $21.90 | |
| motors | $17.95 | 6 | $107.70 | |
| Motor Brackets | $4.95 | 6 | $29.70 | |
| Motor to Wheel Adaptors | $3.95 | 3 | $11.85 | |
| Sparkfun | ||||
| XBee Kit | $95.95 | 1 | $95.95 | |
| Hobby Wireless | ||||
| Wireless video system | $35.99 | 1 | $35.99 | |
| Wireless camera | $26.99 | 1 | $26.99 | |
| Radio Shack | ||||
| 6v Solar panel | $21.99 | 2 | $43.98 | |
| McMaster -Carr | ||||
| 3/8" Aluminum tubing | $18.30 | 1 | $18.30 | |
| 1 pack of Retaining rings | $10.77 | 1 | $10.77 | |
| Ace Hardware | ||||
| Snap Ring Pliers | $15.99 | 1 | $15.99 | |
| 24x36x1/8 Acrylic sheet | $25.99 | 1 | $25.99 | |
| King Kong Hobby | ||||
| Ultra Plugs | $3.19 | 3 | $9.57 | |
| Wheels | $29.99 | 3 | $89.97 | |
| High Torque Servos | $34.99 | 4 | $139.96 | |
| RC Transmitter/Reciever | $229.99 | 1 | $229.99 | Optional |
| Shapeways | ||||
| 3D Printed Parts (estimated) | $150.00 | 1 | $150.00 | |
