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Portable, modular Electronics /Arduino Experimenters and repair Lab set up.
by johnag on July 1, 2013

Table of Contents
Portable, modular Electronics /Arduino Experimenters and repair Lab set up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: Portable, modular Electronics /Arduino Experimenters and repair Lab set up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Equipment / Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Power tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Prototyping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 7: Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 8: Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 9: Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 10: Adhesives and cable management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Intro: Portable, modular Electronics /Arduino Experimenters and repair Lab set up.
This is a modular, portable lab setup that I use to enjoy prototyping and building electronic projects with the Arduino. I sometimes travel overseas, and take this with me
to distract myself during the free time I have. I have built most of my arduino based instructables using this portable workstation system.
Because of different locations, travel requirements, and space constraints I have made the system modular, that is, a small compact system that fits almost anywhere, a
mid sized (shoe box size) that fits in a suitcase, and a briefcase sized that contains a fully equiped electronics worstation.

Image Notes
1. Old Toshiba Tablet PC- Works surprisingly well for my purpose
2. Fluke 12 Multimeter
3. Parallax USB Ocilloscope
4. Seedstudio -SideKick A collection of popular components for DYI Projects
5. Arduino uno R3
6. Portable Arduino workstation set up and "out of the box."

Image Notes
1. PC Power supply , converted into a workbench power supply
2. A small breadboard hooked up to power supply
3. 4 relay module, used in several projects

Image Notes
1. Jumper wires,in bags and in tacle box container
2. Tackle box with electronic components
3. Arduino IDE

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Image Notes
1. Parrallax oscilloscope display

Image Notes
1. laptop runinng Arduino IDE and Parallax DSO
2. Parallax Osilloscope
3. Breadboard
4. Breadboard With some Electronic parts on it
5. Arduino Uno R3
6. USB Cable hooke up to Arduino and Laptop
7. 5v Relay Module

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

8. Another Breadboard
9. Another Arduino Uno R3
10. Arduino Proto shield
11. 2.3 " Color LCD Display
12. Fluke 12 multimeter

Step 1: Equipment / Components

I include the following equipment in my full kit:
Equipment
Toshiba Tablet PC
Fluke 12 Multimeter
Parallax USB DSO
Arduino uno x2
Arduino NANO Clone
Arduino Mega 2560 x2
Raspberry pi
Components
Jumper wires
Digital and analog ic's
Resistors
Capacitors
Diodes
Leds
2.8" TFT Lcd displays x2
switches
Pots
Photo resistors
Thermistors
Transistors
5v motors
5v stepper motors
5 v servo
Tools
Wire cutters
Long nosed pliers
Battery powered soldering iron
Multi purpose tools
Parallax USB Oscilloscope
Radioshack pen oscilloscope
battery powered dremel tool & accesories
Black &Deker. 12v drill, jigsaw, sander.
Power
12 v Solar panel
12 Battery charger
12 power pack with USB charger & 90 watt, 110 volt inverter
USB Phone charger
Rechargeable. Bateries
6 x AA
6 x AAA
2x9v
AA to C & D adapters
Communications
USB WIFI Router
USB HDD
Cat 5 cable
HDMI CABLE
RCA COMPOSITE VIDEO CABLE
USB POWERED 4 port hub
12v 5" monitor
21" autovolt TV / PC Monitor with HDMI, VGA, DVI Inputs.
USB RECORDER
Usb video capture
Usb card reader
SD memory card
Micro sd Card adapters adapters
Usb flash drive
Space pen(not shown)
Engineering pencil
Notebook
Flypen computer
Rulers / stencils
Optics
Pen microscope / telescope
Magnifiying glass
Battery powered iIluminated Gooseneck magnifier
Lighted magnifying glasses.
USB gooseneck LED lights

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Misc
USB Gooseneck fan
Colapsable table
Reference
Reference books
Documentation
Storage

Image Notes
1. laptop runinng Arduino IDE and Parallax DSO
2. Parallax Osilloscope
3. Breadboard
4. Breadboard With some Electronic parts on it
5. Arduino Uno R3
6. USB Cable hooke up to Arduino and Laptop
7. 5v Relay Module
8. Another Breadboard
9. Another Arduino Uno R3
10. Arduino Proto shield
11. 2.3 " Color LCD Display
12. Fluke 12 multimeter

Image Notes
1. Capacitor assortment
2. Motors and servos
3. LEDassortment
4. ICs and transistors
5. Resistor assortment
6. Components. Inside small tackle box

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Image Notes
1. IC assortment
2. Power pack

Step 2: Power
For power supplying, I have 4 options:
A 12 v solar panel, used to charge the power packs when there is no electrical outlets available. Otherwise you can charge the batteries from transformers, or USB PORT
ThE ENERCELL portable AC power adapter and 90-watt power inverter does double duty . You can use it to power AC devices (up to 90W) or to power electronic
devices that can be powered by the USB port on the inverter. It powers USB devices like wireless phones, handheld games and MP3 players; it also serves as an inverter
for digital cameras, some laptops, camcorders, wireless phones, and many other equipment. I have a larger unit that I use and carry if space in suitcase permits.
Duracell emergency phone power pack
Rechargeable. Batteries and 12v battery charger.
Power transformers (110-240 ac volt in, 12 v and 5 volt dc out)

Image Notes
1. 12 volt solar charging panel
2. Enercel power pack wis USB Power port and 90 watt 11volt inverter
3. Durasel USB POWER PACK ( used to recharge phones on the go, but can power Arduinos)
4. Large power pack with USB power port and. 90 watt 110 volt outlet
5. 12 battery charger,

Step 3: Tools
These are the tools I usually select to take with me, most of them are multifunction tools similar the leatherman and gerner tools.
See pictures for description.

Image Notes
1. Multipurpose pliers and wirecutter combo
2. Multipurpose. Hammer
3. Weller battery powered. Solder iron and accesories
4. Mini jewlers pliers
5. Micro screwdriver. Kit

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

6. Magnifiying Glass
7. Pen microscope / telescope

Step 4: Power tools

Power tools include. A rotary., Dremel type, tool and a drill / jigsaw / sander combo made by Black and Decker.

Image Notes
1. Black and decker 12 cordless drill,jigsaw, and sander
2. Drill bits
3. Jigsaw head for the B&D drill
4. Saw blades
5. Sander head
6. Screw. Kit
7. Nali kit

Image Notes
1. 12v Rotary tool and accesories

Step 5: Prototyping
For prototyping, testing and designing circuits, I. Always carry two plastic tackle boxes filled with components one has a full sized solderless breadbord attached to the
top, and the other a half sized bread board. The boxes are filled with the most commonly used components used to build circuits, plus my Duracell power pack. These
two boxes are my small, compact system that I take anywhere I go.
They include an assortment of resistors, capacitors, sensors, motors, servos, and an Arduino Nano plus 2.8" color LCD display.
Check out my other instructables for details of some of the projects you can build.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Image Notes
1. 2.8" display
2. Arduino Nano inserted in1/2 size breadboard
3. Battery. Pack powering circuit
4. Components inside box

Image Notes
1. Large tackle box with full. Sized. Breadboard
2. Small tackle box with half sized breadboard

Image Notes
1. My oscilloscpe powered. By duracell power. Pack.

Image Notes
1. Arduino running my graphic voltmeter program. Powered by duracel power
pack.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Image Notes
1. IC assortment
2. Power pack

Image Notes
1. Capacitor assortment
2. Motors and servos
3. LEDassortment
4. ICs and transistors
5. Resistor assortment
6. Components. Inside small tackle box

Step 6: Reference
You can have all the tools and components, but you won't be able to do anything. Without knowledge. I always. Carry. My engineer. Mini notebooks with me they were
sold by radioshack and authored by Forrest M. Mims III. They are a goldmine of information for experimenters and engineers. You can find copies of some of them here:
http://www.files.jedijf.com/(electronics)%20-%20Forrest%20Mims%20-%20Radio%20Shack%20-%2011%20vols/

Image Notes
1. Had all my books copied and ringbound into one book.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Step 7: Communication
Communication equipent I carry with me include a
TP- link wifi router,
Hdmi cable
Ethernet cable
Wifi adapters
Hdmi to vga adapter
Usb cables and adaptes as well as a 4 port powered hub.
5" 12v video monitor with speakers meant for a car DVD player, used for Raspberry Pi
Mini wireless keyboard with mouse pad.
If you want more information on these components, check aut my BOSS INSTRUCTABLE . some are the same parts.

Image Notes
1. 12v 5" video monitor
2. TP-Link Mini Wifi Router
3. TP-Link USB WiFi adapters
4. 4 port USB hub
5. Keyboard with mousepad
6. SD Card Drive USB
7. USB 5 in 1 card reader, includes SIM Slot
8. Cables, HDMI, Cat 5 Ethernet USB, etc.
9. HDMI to VGA adapter
10. PCduino in case
11. Micro Android PC HDMI output
12. 110-240 volt to USB power adapter
13. USB Cable for TP-Link Router
14. Ethernet cable for TP-Link Router

Step 8: Storage
I use a samsonite laptop case to fit most of the stuff I need. I fond this case in marshalls aeveral years ago.
The only things taht don't fit in here are the power tools. This is the full sized workstation. In a briefcase.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Step 9: Documentation
I always carry a notepad, some rulers and stencils, a drafting pencil, my space pen (not shown) to document Ideas, draw circuits, amd take notes.
I also take my fly pen fusion computer plus a fly paper. It is an interesting toy computer in a pen. It lets you draw things on special fly paper and then upload it to a
computer. It also has a talting calculater calendar, reminder and many other applications. If you haven't heard of it google it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

Image Notes
1. Normal pen
2. Note paper

Step 10: Adhesives and cable management

Several adhesives and cable ties included in my kit.

Image Notes
1. Conductive glue from radio shack, can be used for circuit repair
2. Electrical tape
3. Scotch tape
4. Aluminium tape
5. Electric paint. Also used for circuit repair, or to draw circuit paths.
6. Transparent packaging tape
7. Silicon glue and super glue
8. Glue gun
9. Velkro fasteners
10. Cable ties and wire cutter stripper
11. Phone line tester
12. Power outlet tester
13. Velkro patch

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/

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Comments
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Penolopy Bulnick says:

Oct 29, 2013. 2:28 PM REPLY

Hello, I am glad that you want to participate in the Instructables community. Unfortunately, this does not qualify as an Instructable. However, this would make
a great forum topic. Please post this in the forums.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-Arduino-Experimenters-Lab-set-up/