Recommend me an interesting electronics kit

[pistonheadforum]

Hi,

I'd like to get back into electronics and thing building a kit would be a good way to kick things off. I thought about getting an Arduino kit and lots of sensors and building something by just messing around. However, I think it would be much better to dip in with something a bit more structured and with a definate outcome.

I've looked on Amazon but can't find anything particulary exciting to build.

Any suggestion for kits to build with links? Something clock based perhaps (nixie tubes?) or something that might be more than build it an put it in the drawer. Build a calculator type thing - they all looked a bit rough though. A radio? Something that's a little bit different.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

[808 Estate]

Nixie clocks do look cool. A couple of links to explore.
https://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/
http://www.nixiekitworld.com/

[troc]

How about building some eurorack audio synthesizer modules?

I can recommend the Erica synths edu series. Each kit comes with a manual explaining how it works (eg voltage controlled oscillator, step sequencer, filter etc) and there are also accompanying videos by the designer to watch. Plus they make awesome noises

Eg https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-kits-1/edu-diy...

[biggiles]

You can get home automation (e.g. for the central heating) or EV control/charger kits, if that's of interest?

[OutInTheShed]

Arduino is good fun, but for me, it has to be driven by something I want to do.

I have messed about with Arduino solutions to all sorts of things from battery chargers to yacht instrumentation.

I have an on/off interest in HiFi amps, you can buy kits, personally I've got more out of buying broken amps and either trying to fix them or improve them or use them as a parts source.

Arduino tends to drag you towards Raspberry Pi and various other cheap processing.
The Pi works for me as a budget PC replacement, I've dabbled with Pi audio toys, camera, web server things, it's not really me.
I'm old and analogue at heart, but the Arduino is increasingly used to cobble things together which could probably be done with a ball of string and some 74 series gates?

A few of us have been chatting about home automation, which means all things to all peeps, but controlling stuff like towel rail heaters, Velux openers, talking to your Witless thermostat etc Control over interweb or SMS is something people have been playing with for 20 years, and can be done for a few quid.
This being pistonheads, there's always DIY-EFI?

Or g large and start hacking EVs. We're still waiting for scrap EVs to be cheap enough!

[fiesta_STage3]

build Wozniak’s Apple 1…?
https://grab.smartykit.io/products/smartykit-compu...

[fiesta_STage3]

build an enigma…? (can personally vouch this kit is great)
https://www.cryptomuseum.com/kits/enigma/

[motco]

I built one these in about 1970. It set me one path of self-tought electronics knowledge.

[frisbee]

I built a gigatron a few years ago:

https://gigatron.io/

Playing Tetris on something with no processor is impressive.

[peterperkins]

I built an Interociter and then went to work for a bloke called Exeter..

Just typing electronics kit onto e-bay brings up loads of interesting little projects.

How about a little Tesla coil..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394028284313

[pistonheadforum]

Great suggestions - liking the audio and old computer ones - still searching for the ideal kit but these are great idea and show how much variety is out there.

Other suggestions gratefuly received.

[RizzoTheRat]

Could be worth having a read of the Raspberry Pi thread, nominally software based but quite a few things people do with Pi's need some additional hardware, eg wildlife cameras, homebrew temperature controllers (look up BrewPi), etc.

[808 Estate]

This will look good on the mantle piece. Dont go travelling with it though.
https://nootropicdesign.com/defusable-clock/

[jimmyjimjim]

fiesta_STage3 said:

build an enigma…? (can personally vouch this kit is great)
https://www.cryptomuseum.com/kits/enigma/

Thanks, I've been meaning to dig that out, keep forgetting. Bookmarked.

[jimmyjimjim]

I enjoyed making this a lot:

http://transistorclock.com/

And I've made a few of the follow-ups.

I've also had several electronics clocks off ebay (essentially from Ali, but quicker shipping).

The icetube and monchron clocks from here were good, but discontinued (worth keeping an eye open for additions):

https://www.adafruit.com/category/39

(there's a TV-B-gone that's worth a laugh for annoying TV shops)

Also, this was fun and simple:

https://www.tindie.com/products/hobbystone/px-15c-...

Tindie is a good source of projects and ideas.

[Nimby]

Bat detector

I have an earlier version of this - works surprisingly well.

[Jenny Tailor]

Valve amplifier kit.
Then you can add on a constant current source.
www.bottlehead.com

[ARHarh]

If you are interested in Arduino and sensors. Build a smart home with Home assistant.

Build your own sensors using esp devices connected to various sensors. Then whatever you build will have a use. You can take it as far as you like, and integrate all kinds of things

[NMNeil]

Project ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCvlsMdk-I
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjiVhIvGmRZixSzup...
https://www.youtube.com/c/greatscottlab/videos

Get an idea for a project.
Model it in LTSpice.
Maybe breadboard the design
Design a PCB with KiCad.
Have the PCB made.
Put it all together