Arduino | 37 in 1 Sensors Kit Explained

Hi there, Arduino enthousiasts!

In this Instructable I will be explaining the basics about all the individual sensors in the "37 In 1 Sensors Kit For Arduino".
Every Step will contain a tiny bit of information about one sensor and a basic code will be provided.
Most of the codes use a LED on pin 13.

The kit contains:

1. JoyStick
2. Flame Sensor
3. RGB LED
4. Heartbeat Sensor
5. Light Cup
6. Hall Magnetic Sensor
7. Relay
8. Linear Hall Sensor
9. SMD RGB
10. 7 Color Flash
11. Tilt Switch
12. Temperature Sensor
13. Big Sound Sensor
14. Touch Sensor
15. Two-Color LED
16. Laser Emitter
17. Ball Switch
18. Analog Temperature Sensor
19. Small Sound Sensor
20. Digital Temperature Sensor
21. Two-Color LED (small)
22. Button
23. Photoresistor
24. IR Emission
25. Tracking Sensor
26. Buzzer
27. Reed Switch
28. Shock Sensor
29. Temperature And Humidity Sensor
30. IR Receiver
31. Avoidance Sensor
32. Passive Buzzer
33. Mini Reed
34. Rotary Encoders
35. Analog Hall Sensor
36. Tap Module
37. Light Blocking

Please note that none of the provided codes are mine. I tested them all and they work fine.

Step 1: JoyStick

The JoyStick is a analog sensor that can be used to control your arduino.
Analog JoySticks are basically potentiometers, so they return values which can be made visible using the provided code in this step.

By clicking the serial monitor you will see the values. Once you move the JoyStick the values will change. This code is also handy if you want to control your Arduino using a JoyStick.

Step 2: Flame Sensor

These sensors are used for short range fire detection. They can be used for safety or to monitor projects.

Step 3: RGB LED

This LED contains light emitting diodes. A red one, a green one and a blue one. Combining those into one LED will give you a RGB LED. You can all different kind of things with this LED.

Step 4: Heartbeat Sensor

This sensor uses a bright IR LED (infrared) and a phototransistor to detect the pulse of the finger.
A red LED flashes each pulse.

Step 5: Light Cup

The Light Cup modules contain Mercury Switches that provide a digital signal. The LED's are dimmable.

To use this module you need at least two. (Ofcourse the kit includes 2)

Step 6: Hall Magnetic Sensor

The Hall Magnetic Sensor is a magnetic switch. If no magnetic field is present, the signal line of the sensor is HIGH. If a magnetic field is presented to the sensor, the signal line goes LOW, at the same time the LED on the sensor lights up. The polarity of the magnetic field is of influence to the switching action. The front side of the sensor needs the opposite polarity as the back of the sensor to switch on.

Step 7: Relay

A relay is used to switch high voltage applications using a lower voltage. This is often used in houses as well since it's a safe option to switch on and off high voltages.

You apply a small voltage (5V) to one side of the relay and it will switch the other side on or off.

Step 8: Linear Hall Sensor

This sensor produces a voltage when placed into a magnetic field. The voltage can be used to control your Arduino.

It is a analog sensor which means it can read out the value of the magnetic field.

Step 9: SMD RGB LED

This LED contains light emitting diodes. A red one, a green one and a blue one. Combining those into one LED will give you a RGB LED. You can all different kind of things with this LED.

So, this LED is basically the same as the one in step 3. The only difference is the package.

Step 10: 7 Color Flash LED

This LED automatically switches between 7 colors. The LED has a integrated IC. If you disconnect the LED the colors will reset and the animation will start over.

Step 11: Mercury Tilt Switch

The Tilt Switch is a mercury tilt switch that allows you to detect the tilt of your object. It provides a digital output.

Step 12: Temperature Sensor

This temperature sensor outputs a analog signal. The sensor is accurate which makes it useful for precise appliances.

Step 13: Big Sound Sensor

This sensor can detect sound and outputs both a analog signal as well as a digital signal that can be used to for example create a clap on/clap off light switch. This sensor is very useful with the relay module.

Step 14: Touch Sensor

This sensor will provide a signal when a finger (or any other body part) touches the bent pin of the transistor.

It can be used as a switch.

Step 15: Two Color LED

This LED contains two light emitting diodes. One pin is the GND and the other two are for a red and green LED.
By powering both GND and one of the pins you can see one of the colors. You can also power GND and both pins at the same time to mix the color and get a yellow/orange color.

Step 16: Laser Emitter

This is a laser module that emits a laser light when powered. There is also a signal pin that allows you to make the laser blink for example.

Step 17: Ball Switch

This sensor contains a small metal ball which will complete a circuit depending on the position in the sensor. Because the sensor is very basic, it can only detect large changes when its tilt, and can not measure the angle of its tilt.

Step 18: Analog Temperature Sensor

The analog temperature sensor acts as a variable resistor (NTC/PTC). As temperature increases, the sensor will decrease it’s voltage output. Once we can measure the voltage output, we can calibrate the sensor and convert the output in voltage to temperature.

Step 19: Small Sound Sensor

This sensor can detect sound and outputs both a analog signal as well as a digital signal that can be used to for example create a clap on/clap off light switch. This sensor is very useful with the relay module.

This sensor is exaclty the same as his larger brother.

Step 20: Digital Temperature Sensor

This is the same temperature sensor as stated in a previous step, but this one outputs a digital signal instead of a analog signal.

Step 21: Two Color LED (small)

This LED contains two light emitting diodes. One pin is the GND and the other two are for a red and green LED.By powering both GND and one of the pins you can see one of the colors. You can also power GND and both pins at the same time to mix the color and get a yellow/orange color.

This is the same LED as stated in a previous step, but smaller.

Step 22: Button

This is, ofcourse, a push button. Nothing more, nothing less...

It outputs a digital signal.

Apart from that there isn't much to say about this module.

Step 23: Photoresistor

This is a variable resistor. The resistance value depends on the amount of light coming onto the LDR (Light Dependend Resistor).

This could be used to switch on a light when it becomes dark.

Step 24: IR Emitter

This is a LED that emits a IR (infrared) Light that can be used to for example control your TV or as a light source for a IR security camera.

No code has been provided since IR has different effects on all electronics so there is no point in writing a "universal" code.

Step 25: Tracking Sensor

This sensor can detect lines in black and white. You could for example make a robot/car follow a line.

Step 26: Buzzer

This active buzzer is easy to use and you can have a lot of fun with it. You can even program full songs into your Arduino and have the buzzer play them!

Step 27: Reed Switch

A reed switch is a switch that needs a magnet in front of it to switch on or off. This works the same for the Arduino module.

Step 28: Shock Sensor

This sensor module can detect vibrations/shocks. It's switched off in the neutral state and will switch on when it catches a vibration.

Step 29: Temperature and Humidity Sensor

This sensor can monitor the temperature and humidity. Since it's so small it's not very effective in larger area's, but it works fine in for example a reptile sanctuary.

Step 30: IR Receiver

This module can be used with the IR Emitter. You can also use this in combination with a TV remote to control your Arduino.

Step 31: Avoidance Sensor

This sensor uses a infrared emitter and receiver to check whether there are any obstacles in front of it. This can be useful for a robot.

Step 32: Passive Buzzer

This buzzer is the same as the one stated in a previous step. The only difference is that this one has a better frequency control.

It also needs a different kind of code in order to work.

Step 33: Mini Reed Switch

This reed switch works the same way as the one stated in a previous step. It's just a smaller version.

Step 34: Rotary Encoder

By rotating the rotary encoder can be counted in the positive direction and the reverse direction during rotation of the output pulse frequency, unlike rotary potentiometer counter, which Species rotation counts are not limited. With the buttons on the rotary encoder can be reset to its initial state, that starts counting from 0.

Step 35: Analog Hall Sensor

The analog hall sensor is an analog magnetic field sensor module. The strength of the field is given by an analog voltage at the signal pin of the module. The output signal is, ofcourse, a analog signal.

Step 36: Tap Module

The knock sensor, detects the knocks and the taps. It can work like a switch. The sensor sends data momentarily to the board. To keep the LED on, the button state change codes should be used. So the sensor will work as a switch.

You could also use a piezo element.

Step 37: Light Blocking Sensor

This is a light block sensor module, where there is an object in the middle of the U shape. The sensor will output a high level signal.