Tutorials/Arduino Projects/RC car Hacking Project/Connecting the Arduino

Latest revision as of 07:11, 11 July 2012

Physically connecting the Arduino can be a challenge or fairly simple depending on the size of the vehicle. Skip to the section appropriate to your vehicle.

A Large vehicle

On a large vehicle, like the Interceptor or the Gymkhana, we will be using a full-size Arduino UNO, as well as a small breadboard.

Finding room

The first thing to do is analyze the vehicle and find where we can place both the Arduino and the breadboard without impeding the placement of the covering as we aim to replace this once the hack is completed.

The control board

The first important decision you will need to make is whether or not to keep the control board. Keeping the control board will allow the Arduino to receive radio signals from the remote control, which can then be translated by the program. In the case of the Interceptor, there was plenty of room to keep the control board.

In the Gymkhana, there was no possible place to put the Arduino which allowed the cover to fit unimpeded. However, if we removed the control board, there was just enough room for the Arduino to fit. Because the Arduino was approximately the same size as the control board, it was a good compromise as it had a perfect location so not much securing would be needed.

Placement

After this decision has been made, you need to find the best place to fit the Arduino and the breadboard.

Looking at the Interceptor, a good place for the Arduino and breadboard seems to be here:

We'll place the Arduino in front of the control board and the breadboard behind.

We were very lucky with the Gymkhana. We fit the breadboard and the Arduino like so:

There was just enough room for both components.

Attaching the Arduino

Now we need to investigate how to attach the components. Usually, the Arduino will be attached with screws but since the breadboard is so light and has an adhesive backing, zip ties or even relying only on the adhesive backing will be plenty.

We are going to use TETRIX standoffs to attach the Arduino as these fit nicely.

On the Interceptor, drill two holes to line up with the Arduino's holes.

Since the Arduino is so snug, we will only need one standoff to attach it securely to the Gymkhana.

Now, it is a simple matter to screw in the standoffs...

Screwing in the standoffs for the Interceptor.

Screwing in the standoffs for the Gymkhana.

And finally attach the Arduino to the top.

Attach the Arduino to the Interceptor.

Attach the Arduino to the Gymkhana.

Attaching the breadboard

The breadboard comes with a very adhesive backing. If you can find a flat, smooth surface to stick it to, that will be sufficient. However if there is not enough surface area to stick to, you will need to use zip ties.

Attach the breadboard to the Interceptor using zip ties. If the holes are too far away, you can 'double up' your zip ties by attaching one to another.

There was a smooth surface on the Gymkhana, so it just stuck right on.

Be sure to trim the zip tie ends.

Now that you have attached the components, you are ready to begin wiring.

A medium-sized vehicle

A small vehicle