The goal of this article is fairly basic, to try and find various sensors and modules that you can use with an Arduino (and other microcontrollers if you want) but I had a few criteria
- There must be more than one source at the price listed and it cannot be on some sort of sale
- None of those 37 sensor kit modules, i know they are cheap but i wanted additional useful sensors and modules
- All sensors and modules are under $2
- Where possible I want a module, not a component that needs a breadboard and other components
The prices should stay constant and you don't have to use the links I have supplied. Also I will add to this list when I have tested the parts listed, all of the parts listed have been tested.
1 – MAX 7219 LED Matrix
An 8×8 LED matrix that can be driven from an Arduino using minimal pins. A MAX7219 is the main controller
You can get one of these for about $1.20
MAX7219 dot matrix module microcontroller module display module
2 – MAX 7219 7 segment display
This module uses two standard 4 digit seven segment displays to display a total of 8 digits in RED with decimal point
You can get one of these modules for about $1.60
MAX7219 LED Dot Matrix 8-Digit Digital Tube Display Control Module
3 – LM35 Temperature sensor
The LM35 series are precision integrated-circuit temperature devices with an output voltage linearly-proportional to the Centigrade temperature
This module comes in at just under $2, you can but the actual LM35 cheaper though
4 – MQ-2 Gas Sensor
A fairly basic gas sensor, there are several variants which can be pick up specific gasses. This one is suitable for detecting H2, LPG, CH4, CO, Alcohol, Smoke or Propane.
You can get these for about a $1 a piece, there is a set of 9 different gas sensors available for about $16
1pcs MQ-2 Smoke Liquefied Flammable Methane Gas Sensor Module
5 – DS3231 RTC module
The DS3231 is a low-cost, extremely accurate I²C real-time clock (RTC) with an integrated temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and crystal
You can easily get one of these for under $1
DS3231 AT24C32 IIC Module Precision Clock Module
6 – PCF8574 IO Expansion Board
An 8 bit expansion board using an I2C connection, very easy to use. You can connect 8 of these together. There are a couple of different modules available out there
These are priced at about $1.10
PCF8574 IO Expansion Board I/O Expander I2C-Bus Development board
7 – L9110S DC Stepper Motor Driver Board
The L9110S 2-Channel motor driver module is a compact board that can be used to drive small robots. This module has two independent motor driver chips which can each drive up 800mA of continuous current. The boards can be operated from 2.5V to. 12V
Only $0.60 for one of these
1pcs L9110S DC Stepper Motor Driver Board H Bridge L9110
8 – BH1750FVI ambient light sensor
BH1750FVI is an digital Ambient Light Sensor IC for I2C bus interface. This IC is the most suitable to obtain the ambient light data for adjusting LCD and Keypad backlight power of Mobile phone. It is possible to detect wide range at High resolution. ( 1 – 65535 lx ).
Just under $1 for the module
GY-302 BH1750 BH1750FVI light intensity illumination module for arduino
