How to Build a Robot - The BeetleBot v2 ( Revisited )

Step 1 The BeetleBot v2 ( Revisited ) - The component list

This is what you will need to build this robot.

Items for the robot:
2 x 1,5V motors
2 x SPDT ( single pole double throw ) switches with a metal lever
2 x AA or AAA battery
2 x Terminal connector ( see picture )
1 x AA or AAA battery holder
1 x Plastic or wooden pearl ( Spherical bead )
1 x 1 inch x 3 inch piece of metal or aluminum
1 x Toggle switch for the on/off switchs

Paper clips big and small
2 feets of wires around 22/24 Gauge size
Heat shrink that will fit over the motor shaft and some that will fit over the terminal connector
Electric tape and masking tape

Items for the body shell :
Round plastic lid to make the shell of the robot
Some spray can paint, the colour you want.
Clear varnish
Autobody filler putty or epoxy glue
2 x Small magnets to attach shell to body.

You need some 1,5Volts motor, not 3V or no event 12V!!
Each motors are powered by a single AA battery. You will drain your battery if you use a bigger motor. You can find them in toys or even at your local dollarrama, in little car, fans, etc! ( beware, they might really suck you battery down )

the recommended tools for this project:
1 x safety glasses!!
1 x soldering iron
1 x glue gun
1 x wire strippers
1 x side cutter
1 x scissors, knife, x-acto, etc

I recommend you to take the time to read this entire instructable before starting. In every page I have added a lot of pictures, so don't forget to look.

Comments

[Caassh]

I'm not too sure if these motors work

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DCM-299/1.5-3.6-VDC-MOTOR/1.html

[linkz601]

they work.

[r_carron]

also what size are the terminal connectors because the place i am shopping at has these . which should i choose? http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4c43f01f01e615be273fc0a87f3b06af/Product/View/H3203 http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4c43f01f01e615be273fc0a87f3b06af/Product/View/H3200 http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4c43f01f01e615be273fc0a87f3b06af/Product/View/H3201

[r_carron]

hello i was wondering if this motor will work http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4c43f01f01e615be273fc0a87f3b06af/Product/View/P9003 is the shape ok? please reply

[evan_jeffries]

 is a soldering GUN okay?

[r_carron]

 i was also wondering if i could get these terminal connectors?

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ae3c6f9026e8842273fc0a87f3b0729/Product/View/H3217

[r_carron]

 hey im a beginner at this and i chose the beetlebot to be my first robot which i will stat making very soon. I bought 2 micro mini SPDT switches and they are 240 VAC , 1.5 A .  are they the right ones? will they work? 

amazin work btw =]

[Caassh]

Thanks

[Caassh]

i meant i found the same SPDT switch but i still need the on/off switch help please.. thanks

[robomaniac]

The motor are perfect and good choice.

The power switch you showed me will work perfect.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SSW-37/DPDT-SLIDE-SWITCH/-/1.html

You have everything to start making a robot!

Have fun

[Caassh]

where did you buy the terminal connectors?
Also can i use any of these terminal connectors?
I'm making a beetlebot for a school project o.o

-http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104019

-http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104091
lol says female >.>

[robomaniac]

go at home depot and buy the blue ones, canadian tire also have them Have fun!

[Caassh]

nvm i found the exact saem switch you have :)

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SMS-220/SPDT-MINI-SNAP-ACTION-SWITCH-W/-LEVER/-/1.html

for anyone who needs it

[Caassh]

and will this switch work?

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SSW-37/DPDT-SLIDE-SWITCH/-/1.html

[rancher52395]

how big would you say the robot is?

[robomaniac]

depend how big you make it! it is palm size.

[rancher52395]

what is the estimated cost if you don't have any of the items for the robot? just the robot parts, not the shell or tools. thank you!

[rancher52395]

one more question- what should the circumference be for the heat shrinks? how big of round are the terminal connectors and the motor shaft? Thank you so much!

[rancher52395]

do the terminal connectors have to look like the ones in your picture? or can the have two prongs on the end?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103306

or

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103309

can they look like either of these?

[robomaniac]

Have you look closelly at the terminal connector attach to the switch?

The connector slide in the SPDT switch lever.

None of the one you showed me work since there is no way to attach them.

You need the one I show in the pictures

http://www.instructables.com/files/orig/F5P/QWX5/FHY0HABJ/F5PQWX5FHY0HABJ.jpg

[rancher52395]

ah, i c how yours are...where did you get yours? i can't find ones like that on radioshack.com...please help me!

[rancher52395]

okay I found them, whew!

[robomaniac]

3/32 for the heat shrink. The motor shaft depend of company that makes them. Mine are 2mm ( 0.0750inch). Terminal connectors use colours for size, yellow, red and blue. I use blue.

[rancher52395]

and where can you find the spdt switch?

[rancher52395]

never mind about the switch, I found it

[juggler4real]

where can i get a spdt switch for low price or free

[rancher52395]

radioshack.com has some for about 2 dollars i think

[rainger]

Just like Robomaniac mentioned about finding the motor, most $1 toys have one in it, even most HappyMeal toys... I tend to toss all my kids' McDonald's toys in my shop and cannibalize for motors, switches, LEDs, etc... AFTER they've finished playing with them of course!

[juggler4real]

thanks for the info

[crossfrost69]

How do you buy stuff from the cherry site? because, i find the switch but then all it does is gives me info about it and doesn't say anything about buying it.

[crossfrost69]

Can some one please tell me where i can get spdt switches like that other than from All Electronics, how do I order from Cherry? PLEASE REPLY

[ranger_ijo]

do the motor work in 1,5 v (i mean just one battery affect one motor) ? because i only have motor that can work in 3 volt...when i connect my motor in 1,5 v (1 battery)..my motor cannot work.. i have been searching motor that can work in 1,5 volt..but it's so hard to find...

[robomaniac]

yes the motor only work is 1,5V so that is why you need 1,5V motors. You can also use 2 x AA battery holder and use the same schematics. . so you will have 3V instead of 1,5V per motor. yes 1,5V motor are hard to find

[hotbabe3133]

how do i make a remote control or somethng like that... im in this competition to build a robot that can travel across the moon...... plz help me and fast........

[dawayne1]

hey dude how can i control it wat can i put in there to control and also do i need on and off switck

[bar513]

!!!great instructable!!! it's a very cool idea with very cheap parts! i like it! wish me luck XD

[smilespoon]

tHANKS MAN!ill win for sure with this

[maRiigeL]

Where can I find the 1.5V motors...? I know the rest is in radio shack but not the motors..

[robomaniac]

I have already bought motors from radioscrap that were use in a beetle robot! so you can find them at RadioShack. try dollarrama store solarbotics.com allelectronics.com