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SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Arduino (Old Stock)
Replacement:KIT-11227. We've overhauled the SIK Manual with new graphics, revised code and in-depth instruction! Also, the kit includes a red translucent breadboard instead of the clear one which some found visually confusing, and the new and improved baseplate! This page is for reference only.
zOMG! This kit has it all. It includes the Arduino Uno, the fabled baseplate, and all the sensors you can shake a stick at. The SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Arduino is a box of goodies to get the very beginner started with programmable electronics. It includes all the bits you need to build 14 basic circuits, no soldering required! On top of that, we've joined forces with Oomlout to offer a small booklet to get you started. The SIK comes with everything pictured and a 36 page color printed 'starter' guide. The guide will take a complete novice and get them:
- Blinking LEDs
- Controlling a toy motor
- Controlling a servo
- Making (bad) music
- Responding to buttons
- Twisting a volume knob
- Detecting ambient light
- Reading temperature
- Controlling big devices
Mixing LED colors
We believe these to be the building blocks of any electronics project. Once these concepts are mastered, very impressive projects are possible using simple recombinations.
Note: No soldering required. We recommend this kit for beginners ages 10 and up.
Note: Because Atmel is moving more and more of their production capacity to surface mount ICs, the DIP packaged ATmega328 is becoming more and more difficult to get. To keep up with demand, we now offer the Arduino Uno with an SMD ATmega328. The board is identical to the PTH version of the Uno, but you won't be able to remove the ATmega328 without some hot-air. This change shouldn't affect most users.
Note: There is an error with CIRC-03. Omit the 10K resistor and hook pin 9 directly to the base of the transistor.
Note: This product is a collaboration with Oomlout. A portion of each sales goes back to them for product support and continued development.
Documentation:
- Web quality guide (1MB)
- Print quality guide (9MB)
- Circuit overlays
- SIK Review
- SIK Education Binder
- Parts Wishlist
- Example Code
Replaces:KIT-10152
- Arduino Uno SMD R3
- Arduino and breadboard holder
- Printed 36-page Oomlout manual
- 12 color circuit overlays
- Clear Bread Board
- 74HC595 Shift Register
- 2N2222 Transistors
- 1N4148 Diodes
- DC Motor with wires
- Small Servo
- 5V Relay
- TMP36 Temp Sensor
- Flex sensor
- Softpot
- 6' USB Cable
- Jumper Wires
- Photocell
- Tri-color LED
- Red and Yellow LEDs
- 10K Trimpot
- Piezo Buzzer
- Big 12mm Buttons
- 330 and 10K Resistors
- Male Headers
Comments
Looking for answers to technical questions?
We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
Customer Reviews
No reviews yet.
Maybe sell some of these kits WITHOUT the UNO?
This might solve some issues where we already have an XXuino.
I second this idea! I already have an duemilanove to play with but i'd like the rest of the kit (including the nifty box). Maybe offering an arduino-less kit would help solve some of the supply problems?
I vote for this as well! My interest is to use this with a Netduino and see if I can "rewrite" the guide for my son.
I third this......3 years later!
Forgive me if this has already been answered, but has any consideration been given to a version of this kit sans Arduino? I've already got one of those, but the rest of this stuff all in one place for about $70 sounds tasty.
Just received my kit. I don't know about you folks who had the mixed up resistors. All of my resistors came in individual baggies, sorted by value.
By the way, the kit is awesome. The instructions are almost worth the price of the kit. On a scale of 1..10 for value, this kit scores a 45!
Thanks Sparkfun!
We love to hear stuff like this. Thanks a lot and enjoy the kit. :-)
Says it's out of stock. Any ETA on new stock?
+1, no news ?
Every time I open the plastic case I spend at least a minute trying to get it back on. It's a pretty miserable.
Picture shows R3 of Uno, but check description below and you get SMD Uno. I just got this kit today. Should have read not relied upon misleading picture...
Just got mine, but the motor included doesn't won't work with circ_03. it spins just fine hooked directly to Vcc and Gnd, but not in the circuit.. i tore down and rebuilt that circuit 6 times. added lighting up the led on pin13 to make sure the code was running. put an led in place of the motor real quick to make sure current was traveling through the transistor. it was. the supplied motor just draws too much current for the circuit.
Wish I'd read this earlier, but I did diagnose - and fix - the problem.
Yes, the motor draws more current than the circuit (as shown) supplies. It works if you swap the 10k resistor (which limits the current from pin 9 to the transistor base) for a 1k resistor. The transistor isn't switching all the way on with the tiny current the 10k lets through. It will work with some low current motors (I got it to work with a tiny motor at 20ma) but not the bigger one with the kit.
The kit doesn't come with 1k resistors. The value isn't too critical, so if you don't have one handy you can use 330 ohm resistors in series (at least 2, for 660 ohms) or three 10k in parallel (3.3k) to get into the right ballpark. (You need enough resistance to prevent burning out the pin from too much current draw.)
same problem, same results. otherwise, i love the kit.
Great kit, especially love the included "Arduino and Breadboard Holder"
You bought one as well? Cool! Contact me on IRC :)
Great kit, especially love the included Arduino and Breadboard Holder.
Is this bundled with the Arduino Uno Rev3 like the retail kit? If not, are there plans to switch?
Is there a datasheet for the 2n2222 transistor?
Wikipedia page on them
Fairchild datasheet linked from that wiki page
This is a great little kit, I got mine yesterday and have been having a lot of fun with it. Although not specifically mentioned in the handbook it's also possible to use it for data logging to an SD card using only the components in the kit, I've written up a little how-to here: http://goo.gl/8tqOT
Hi cap9qd -
I got this kit for my son (age 11) and the two of us have been working through the circuits together. We love it - though we hit exactly the same problem you did last week w/the motor circuit and solved the same way with the help of a community member, by dropping the resistor down, in our case to 330 ohm, which worked fine.
I got this for my father for Christmas. He was working through the lessons and got stumped on the one where you run the little DC motor (Lesson CIRC-03). After finding a bad jumper wire we still couldn't get it to work. Changed the motor to an LED and resistor to verify the transistor circuit worked and it did. Finally had to replace the transistor base resistor from a 10k to 1k to get enough collector current to run the motor. Hope this helps someone else who has issues.
I really like this, but already have the Arduino. Is there the possibility of creating a version of this kit without the Arduino? Thanks!
Any spanish version of print guide?.
Many thanks
wowww... googled Arduino kit on google, looking for a kit for a guy and came to one of your first kit pages. its retired, so I clicked the replacement link. And lo and behold, the next kit was retired too. I did that for about 12 kits...
This kit currently ships with the SMD Atmega on the UNO.
Anyone know which type of UNO this is currently shipping with?
Hey, I tried to modify this code http://ardx.org/src/circ/CIRC06-code.txt to include an A#. I found the frequency, and then the 'timehigh' required for the note, and I changed the char names [] and int tones [] to include the a#, and I changed the for{} below to go up to 9. However, I am still getting an error, which I do not understand. Can anyone help?
I suggest trying to get help on our forums, where you can have an ongoing discussion instead:
Forums
Just got this in the mail today, opened it up after work. As a first time Arduino/Electronics user, I'm impressed. Great product for beginners!
Could you PLEASE make something like this for Netduino?
Would really appreciate.
Is there a similar kit, but without the Arduino? I asked for the Uno for Christmas last year, and haven't put it to much use yet. I just downloaded the manual, but it would be nice if I could buy the kit in one set, instead of finding all the pieces (and I assume it would be a little cheaper).
Thanks!
You can check out the beginner parts kit (KIT-10003). It has a bunch of similar parts already together, so it saves some effort of tracking all the pieces down.
I'm really wanting to make my own comparable pack for a Mega2560. Is there any place that has like an exact parts list with quantities so I can just swap out what I need to while getting rid of stuff like holder and bread board (as I already have a breadboard)?
the stock was blown in a few hours. this sells like banana!
This kit is awesome for those wanting to get into arduino. Did a bit of a review of it on my site.
Check it out and other ideas at my site Sparkfun Inventor's Kit
My imagination or this product has been out of stock for 6 months now?
I'm having trouble fitting the Arduino into its mount. Any tips?
Slide it into place with the clip closest to the SparkFun logo, then gently pop the other end into place
Ah, I think the back clip was a bit too long. I filed some off and now it works perfectly!
Okay, dumb beginner question, but the male headers provided have a long side and a short side. I get how this would work when soldering onto a PCB. However, the short side is too short to fit in the breadboard, and too short to fit the servo's connector. Before I "make it work" is there an elegant solution? Like a male header with two long sides?
Else, this is a great kit! Working on my "Evil Scientist" cackle...
okay, three jumper wires instead of a male header will work, too.
just use pliers to move down the little plastic piece.
I ran into the same problem, and gave up after trying to do it by hand, thinking it can't possibly take that much force. Then I tried it with pliers and managed to puncture holes in my plastic work surface with the pins (live and learn), but that loosened them up enough to make it work. Thanks :)
Since I already have a Arduino Uno, I'm making my own kit using your parts list. Is there a substitute that you offer for the 2N2222 transistors and the TMP36 temperature sensor?
the 2N3904 is a close replacement NPN BJT transistor replacement to the 2N2222. I think the 2N3904 can only handle a third of the current or something. http://www.sparkfun.com/products/521
For temperature, I use a thermistor on my UNO and it worked great. http://www.sparkfun.com/products/250 and the arduino code: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/ComponentLib/Thermistor
I just ordered this last night. How can I tell when it is going to be shipped?
The following code will answer your question:
int main() {
int wait_time;
int return_value;
wait_time=60;
while (go_check_your_email() == NOT_SHIPPED_YET) {
sleep(wait_time);
}
exit SUCCESS;
}
I got this baby today. It's my first step on electronics and I LOVE it!
Question : I just completed the 1st led example (and around 10 versions of mine with loops, moorse code etc!) and I just figured out how the breadboard works... but : Isn't the "to 5v" cable needless there? I mean... I took it off and it still works (the digital pin out, outputs 5v to the LED doesn't it?) Why is then that 5v in the scematic since it works without it?
When will this get back in stock (after the 20th of January?). The out of stock note is outdated ?: ]
When will this be back in stock?
:(
You guys should really make it more clear that this kit is in fact the smd version. The note leads one to believe that the thru-the-hole version will be becoming rare and that you are offering the smd version as an option.
We're currently packaging this kit with the SMD version Uno but that could change tomorrow. If you need a PTH Uno, look at the SIK with retail packaging (RTL-10339) currently. Though it too could change in the near future. You might also wish to contact customer service to confirm which Uno is currently being used in these two versions of the SIK.
Also, the PTH version is becoming more rare. We'll do our best to keep everyone updated on Arduino's plans for future production runs.
does this come with the inventor's kit box?
it comes as shown in the picture. You want this one:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10339
I bought retail version. They had about 50 in stock. Minutes after, all has been sold!
Felt kind of lucky!
Cheers!
I see from another comment that there is a boxed version of this that is in stock. Is it possible to cancel a back order? If so I would just order the boxed version.
Look at the email you got from your order, it has information regarding canceling or changing your order.
Hey! For those who are waiting this kit to arrive, I found this one, retail version, boxed! Same product, but boxed for $5 more! Perfect!<br />
<br />
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10339
woo, just received my kit today, excited to start playing. only problem I have is trying to mount the arduino on the little black plastic board, frustrating! but feel like it'd keep things together nice, not sure if i'm missing some trick or what. not necessary but I'm stubborn :)
Will this be back in stock any time soon?
Our only hold up is a lack of Arduino UNOs in stock. One shipment is headed our way now. There's a good chance we'll have more Inventor's Kits ready to go by the end of this week. Stay tuned...
If it's only the Uno that is holding things up, could you sub in the retail packaged version (60+ in stock this morning)? I'd gladly pay the extra buck to make sure I get this in time for Christmas.
@RoboN8r, that gets tricky. We have over 100 backorders for this kit at the moment. If we could fulfill all backorders for the SIK with those 60+ retail boards then we would consider it. However, I just got word that the next round of UNOs will be on our docks by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. :)
Thanks for answering. I�ll wait and buy as soon as it gets back in stock :D
Come on! Just waiting too!
Yea I'm also waiting for this part to be available. Hopefully before xmas, its my xmas gift to myself. :-)
I got one of these that included 1N4148 instead of the listed 1N4001 diodes. Which is it? Customer service says 1N4148, but this page says 1N4001. I got tired of arguing with Customer service and pointing to this page while they pointed to the manufacturing floor. I think these will work for the experiments in the guide, but cmon... <br />
<br />
Even though they kindly sent me a replacement diode, another 1N4148 I figured how much is a 15cent part worth fighting for? Moral - be sure to check your part numbers to the packing list and be prepared for a trip to the Shack or adding more hearty diodes to your Digi-key order.<br />
<br />
It's the details that matter.
if you look closely in the picture, there are 2 1n4148 diodes i \ think they put the wrong link up
That is right Nojo, but the guide book also calls for the 1N4001's. I still maintain MFG seems to use the wrong item.<br />
<br />
Those pesky details.
Odd. I changed the link above. I'll make sure that the next manual references the new diode, or at least says that you can interchange them. For this kit's purposes, it's essentially the same part.
Hi I was also wondering on the availability of this item.. I want to order it but only if it will arrive before Christmas
Any update on when this will be back in stock, RobertC?<br />
<br />
Wondering what the chances are of getting this for the holidays are...
Wow! Ask and ye shall, apparently, receive! <br />
<br />
TY, SparkFun!
Hey what did you hear back from them? Do they have it in stock?
@Nirvanaguy: I didn't actually hear back - I just saw that it went from out-of-stock to 100+ in stock, shortly after I asked when they'd be back in.<br />
<br />
Bummer that they're sold out again already. Hit up the autonotify and/or backorder button so you get poked when they're back in stock. I can't speak for SparkFun but I'd imagine that this is a pretty popular item and that they'll be trying to get more out in time for the holidays.<br />
<br />
Good luck!!
They're being built right now. They one of our most popular items and we go through them VERY quickly.
This is one of my staff picks and favorites at SparkFun. We've been working very hard to put a kit together that we can teach our friends and family about playing with electronics. After putting together the 14 circuits, you'll know enough to wow your friends and open doors to many new projects.
I'd tried tinkering with picaxe years ago, but after building the little board from a pen-drawn circuit sketch, and finally blinking an LED, I found myself in a, "Ok so... now what?" situation, and abandoned it. I hadn't actually learned much.
Less than a year ago I bought this kit. The amount of consideration that went into this thing is amazing. That simple little project booklet and circuit overlays are great. Things clicked, and now I do all kinds of fun and useful things with various mcu's, my own boards, etc. It was the perfect launch pad to a whole new hobby.
I might be a bit beyond one now, but if I'd known of a formal follow-on kit I almost certainly would have purchased it. Maybe something that dealt with voltage dividers, using additional libraries, maybe throw in that inexpensive dmm, etc. Does SFE have something like that?
Anyways, thanks! My nephews are definitely going to inherit this kit. They're going to love it.
any eta for availability?
I got a sample of this kit at the recent DC Science and Engineering Festival. It's totally cool. I showed it to the kids on my robotics team and they started salivating. I sent it home with one kid.... a programmer with minimal hardware experience. He brought it back the next day having completed the first two projects (started telling me how fast he got the LED blinking:)
His only negative comment was that the two-pin headers that are used to hold down the paper overlays were missing. I checked the kit myself and found two 40-pin headers. I guess the instructions didn't give him permission to cut them appart. D'oh!
Looking forward to some fun electronics sessions with the team.
Philbot
Just as a note for everyone, we are out of stock right now, but will have stock very shortly. We wanted to make it available for sale on the site ASAP.