Kitronik Straight Single Row PCB pin headers, 2.54mm, 36-way

With the Kitronik Compact Robotics Board, the BBC micro:bit can be used to drive 4 motors (or 2 stepper motors) and 8 servos. Coupled with 17 other I/O expansion points, this means the BBC micro:bit can very easily become the core of a whole variety of robotics projects. The board is small on footprint but big on features and connectivity. Please note, when used with a stepper motor, half-stepping is supported - but not micro-stepping.

The Robotics Board features 2 Dual H Bridge Motor Driver ICs (capable of driving 2 standard motors or 1 stepper motor each) and 8 servo outputs (capable of driving standard and continuous rotation servos), all controlled from the BBC micro:bit using the I2C protocol via a 16 channel driver IC. Kitronik's custom MakeCode blocks make using I2C easy, even for novice users.

The Link header breaks out all the usable pins from the BBC micro:bit, and is designed to allow 2.54mm pitch pin header to be easily soldered into place. The 17 available I/O pins allow other input devices, for example, sensors, or output devices, such as ZIP LEDs, to be added to the board. The I2C communication lines are also broken out (Pins 19 & 20), which means other I2C compatible devices can also be added to the board and controlled by the BBC micro:bit.

Power is provided via either a terminal block or servo style connector. The supply is then controlled by an on/off power switch to the board. There is also a green LED to indicate when the board is turned on. The board then produces a regulated 3.3V supply which is fed into the 3V and GND connections to power the connected BBC micro:bit. This removes the need to power the BBC micro:bit separately. The 3V and GND pins are also broken out on the Link header, which means external devices can also be powered.

To use the compact robotics board, the BBC micro:bit should be inserted firmly into the edge connector, with the LEDs and buttons visible from the front.

Kitronik has produced a set of custom blocks for the MakeCode editor to simplify using the Compact Robotics Board for BBC micro:bit. To add them to the editor, select the cog icon in the top right of the editor. Then, select Extensions from the drop-down menu and in the search bar type and enter Kitronik. Pick the Kitronik robotics Board from the list and the new blocks will be added to the menu in the editor.

Features:

A compact yet feature-packed board designed to sit at the heart of your robotics project.

It can drive 4 motors (or 2 stepper motors) and 8 servos.

The board also has 17 other I/O expansion points.

The link header is designed to allow 2.54mm pitch pin header to be used.

The I2C communication lines are also broken out allowing other I2C compatible devices to be controlled.

This board also features an on/off switch and power status LED.

Power the board via either a terminal block or servo style connector.

The 3V and GND pins are also broken out on the Link header, allowing external devices to be powered.

Code with the Microsoft MakeCode editor with custom blocks by Kitronik or with Python.

When used with a stepper motor, half-stepping is supported - but not micro-stepping.

Contents:

1 x Compact Robotics Board for BBC micro:bit.

Dimensions:

Length: 68mm.

Width: 46.5mm.

Height: 10.6mm.

PCB Thickness: 1.6mm

This 3 x AAA battery holder with power leads that terminate in a JST connector. The leads are colour coded and 150mm long. The holder also features two mounting holes so that the battery holder can be permanently mounted on a project or surface.

This battery holder is ideal for any project that requires 4.5V of battery power delivered via a JST connection.

Features:

Holds 3 x AAA Batteries.

Mounting holes allowing for permanent attachments to projects or surfaces.

150mm colour coded leads with a JST connector.

Contents:

1 x (3xAAA) Battery holder with JST connector.

Dimensions:

Length: 52.5mm.

Width: 37.5mm.

Height: 12mm.

Unlock the secrets of nature with code, engineering, and the Environmental Control Board for micro:bit!

The Kitronik environmental control board provides a variety of sensor inputs and connection points for the BBC micro:bit (V1 & V2) and provides the ability to control outputs for devices such as a water pump, fan, servo or heater pad. This makes it ideal for feedback control systems. This board is also supplied as part of the Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit.

The BBC microbit slots directly into the board via an integrated edge connector. The micro:bit can then read input from the onboard BME 280 environmental temperature, barometric pressure and humidity sensor and also the Real-Time Clock. There is an onboard piezo buzzer, 2 x 1A outputs (ideal for a water pump, heater pads or fan), 3 status ZIP LEDs, a ZIP LED expansion connector and servo output. In addition to these, 3 BBC micro:bit pins are broken out to croc-clip connections as further inputs and outputs, along with pads for 3V and GND.

Power is provided via the onboard 3xAA battery holder or the 2.1mm DC Jack. There is an on/off switch for controlling power supply to the board and there is a green LED to indicate when the board has been turned on. The board also produces a regulated 3V supply which is fed into the edge connector to power the inserted BBC micro:bit, removing the need to power the BBC micro:bit separately.

The board also features a solar cell input and will charge rechargeable batteries if inserted into the onboard battery holder. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important and this board can be used to help illustrate greener ways of delivering desired outcomes.

The environmental control board can be coded with the MakeCode editor and Kitronik have produced a set of custom blocks to make the job as simple as possible. There are blocks for reading input and for controlling additional devices such as a pump. This can be added via the add Extensions function in the editor by searching “Kitronik” or from https://github.com/KitronikLtd/pxt-kitronik-smart-greenhouse. The supplied datasheet has detailed coding advice, so much so that the beginner will have no difficulties following along.

The board can be coded without using our custom blocks in the MakeCode Blocks, Javascript, and Python workspaces. Coding for some of the board's features, e.g. I2C, requires an in-depth knowledge making it mainly suitable for the more advanced user.

Features:

Build automated systems that react to environmental changes, such as plant watering and greenhouse systems.

It is compatible with both micro:bit V1 and microbit V2.

The board features a number of sensor inputs that can be coded to control the board's outputs.

There is an onboard BME 280 environmental temperature, barometric pressure and humidity sensor and a separate Real-Time Clock (RTC).

The board also features an onboard piezo buzzer, 2 x 1A outputs (ideal for a water pump, heater pads or fan), 3 status ZIP LEDs, a ZIP LED expansion connector and servo output. In addition to these, 3 BBC micro:bit pins are broken out to croc-clip connections as further inputs and outputs, along with pads for 3V and GND.

It can be powered via the onboard 3xAA battery holder or the 2.1mm DC Jack, and the power controlled via the on/off switch with an adjacent LED indicator.

There is also a solar-cell input that can be used in conjunction with rechargeable batteries.

The board produces a regulated 3V supply for powering the micro:bit via its edge connector i/o connections.

Code it with MakeCode. Kitronik has produced custom blocks to make the job of coding the board as simple as possible, opening up activities for younger student

These custom blocks are optional, the board can be coded without them in the Blocks, JavaScript and Python editors. Opening up activities for those that require more of a challenge.

This board is also available as part of the Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit.

Contents:

1 x Environmental board for greenhouse kit.

Dimensions:

Length: 74.5mm.

Width: 66mm.

Height: 29mm.

The Mini Prong soil sensor is a short version of the original Prong sensor that has been specially adapted for use with the Kitronik Greenhouse Kit for BBC micro:bit. The Mini Prong soil moisture sensor for BBC microbit is a sensor board that can be connected to a BBC micro:bit with crocodile clips to monitor the moisture present in the soil. The two conductive tines are placed into the soil. Any water or moisture in the soil will conduct to give an analogue voltage that can be read by the BBC micro:bit.

Mini Prong is powered from the 3V supply of the BBC micro:bit. Use either the USB or JST connector on the BBC micro:bit to power the circuit. The board has been designed to work with croc-clips, to connect between the Mini Prong and the BBC micro:bit. When fitted to the Mini Prong moisture sensor, the micro:bit can be coded via any of the micro:bit editors, such as the Microsoft MakeCode editor. The Datasheet at the foot of this page includes technical information and a MakeCode blocks coding example.

Note: To ensure that the mini Prong moisture sensor has a long and fulfilling life, it is better to write your code to perform a moisture check every so often rather than continuously. When the check is performed continuously it promotes rapid erosion of the electrodes.

Features:

Measure soil moisture levels.

Attach to the micro:bit with crocodile clips.

Compatible with both BBC micro:bit V1 and BBC micro:bit V2.

Write code for it with any micro:bit coding editor.

Dimensions:

Length: 33mm.

Height: 43mm.

PCB Thickness: 1.6mm.