Arduino Controlled Nerf Vulcan

Yes, this is exactly what the title says it is. This instructable will teach you how to control any Nerf Vulcan, with your Arduino. The provided tutorial will just shoot for 2.5 seconds, stop for 2.5 seconds, and so on. It is like a "hello world" program for controlling your Nerf Vulcan. It can easily be expanded to do whatever you want, you could use a proximity sensor to make security system, you could use an ethernet shield to shoot it remotely, the possibilities are endless.


Here's a quick demo video:

Step 1: Supplies

Here is the list of what you'll need:
1 Nerf Vulcan
1 Arduino or clone
1 5v Relay Switch
1 NPN Transistor
1 Diode
1 10k ohm Resistor
A Soldering Iron
1 Breadboard
Duct tape

Comments

[forge35]

Alecnotalex, I really think your project is great and would like to build it in the near future, but I really need to learn more about Arduino first. Could you please recommend some books by any chance? Thanks.

[alecnotalex]

If you're looking to learn about Arduino, I can offer some advice.
In terms of books, I would suggest the Arduino Cookbook, Getting Started with Arduino, and Programming Arduino. While these books are helpful, you can actually learn easily without any books. For me, owning the Sparkfun Inventor's Kit was enough to be able to learn everything I needed. The way I learned best was trying to come up with a project far beyond my skill level, and then searching the Internet to learn how to do each component of it. There is a lot of free information out there, I don't think you're going to have any trouble learning the world of Arduino, even if you didn't get any books.
I wish you luck!

[forge35]

Thanks for the replying and suggesting the books, I greatly appreciate it. I was looking at the reviews of these books online before but still wasn't sure; you advice has helped me make a decision. I'm more of a book reader because of the way I learn. I need several books and have to see the large and small picture at the same time plus the information laid out a certain way. For me the internet is kind of like the encyclopedia and periodical/magazine section of the library. I still need books! Thanks again for everything.

[Tobor 2.0]

use this with: http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-Sentry-Gun-with-Laser-Trip-Wire-System-/ and chaos is sure to follow!

[zcbaker]

now make it so the arduino is mounted on wheels and the vulcan can move side to side because of this

[alecnotalex]

Just wait until my next instructable

[roanmartigan]

Wonderful ! You must take it to the next step and include servos on the feet and a movement detector to trigger the fire !

[alecnotalex]

Yes, I was thinking about doing something like that, but I didn't have the supplies, or the time, really. I think later on I'll try something of that nature.

[csiquet]

Nice project!
If you ever want to upgrade it, here is a nice one:
http://www.jeremyblum.com/2009/05/15/nerf-sentry-gun_be-afraid/

[lucashaley]

Dig the D&D boxset.

[tpobrienjr]

I'm inspired. I want to build a turret mounted remote control paintgun. It would be mounted on top of my car and used only in freeway traffic. Yellow paintballs would be best, I think.

[schwerer]

Make two and sell me one.

I've always fantacised about something like this.

Can you also include a feature to obscure my license plate and retract the gun to a hidden configuration.

I promise to only use this when appropriate.

[joedog86]

Very nice! I just posted a similar project and I hadn't even seen this one yet! There's just *something* about a turret that's not controlled by any human being that is awesome and kinda frightening! Nice hack!

[alecnotalex]

I know what you mean!