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Other things you'll need to complete your BlimpDuino kit

Posted by Chris Anderson on May 30, 2009 at 10:30pm
Your Blimpduino kit comes with most of what you need to compete the blimp, and all the hard-to-find and unique parts. Here's what else you'll need:

  • A soldering iron and solder
  • A FTDI cable (DIY Drones cable recommended) to program the board.
  • Helium (Available in the balloon kits available for $18 at Target, or a larger tank from Amazon)
  • A 7.4v LiPo battery (any other one of that approximate size and capacity will do, as long as it's under about 35-40 grams)
  • A balancing charger (This one, with this power supply, will do the trick and is inexpensvie)
  • If you want to use RC mode, you'll need an RC system with at least three channels. Any will work, starting with simple systems such as this one. You''ll also need two female-to-female RC cables.
  • A 9v battery for the ground beacon
  • Double-stick tape to attach the board to the gondola
  • Velcro tape to attach the gondola to the envelope
  • Superglue
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Comments

  • Alberto Mennella October 31, 2011 at 4:18am

    Hi Chris,

    Any news about the new 2011 Blimpduino version?!

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson October 4, 2010 at 11:43pm
    Dom, it's out of stock and may not be available for a month or more.
  • Dom Burjak October 4, 2010 at 11:39pm
    Hi,

    I'm considering purchasing the Kit of this product. Do you now what I would require to purchase if I wish to stream video from the blimp to a ground station?
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson November 29, 2009 at 8:46am
    Thomas, do you mean to drive the whole thing? Yes, but you'll find it won't last long ;-)
  • Thomas Barnwell November 29, 2009 at 8:18am
    Could I use an off the shelf battery... a 9v maybe.. until I can get my hands on an actual battery pack?
  • Jason Y September 30, 2009 at 9:12pm
    Update: got the cables from SparkFun here, and they're a bit thicket (heavier) than I'd recommend.
  • Jason Y September 18, 2009 at 12:56pm
    FYI, the female-to-female RC cables mentioned above are currently sold out on Pololu, as are these three options on Hobby King: one, two, three. However, I found some on SparkFun here that should do the trick.
  • IKE July 4, 2009 at 11:13am
    Today I bought a battery for my BlimpDuino, I searched the local stores and the smallest one I could find is an 7,4 LiPo (of course) with 800mAh and 10C. It has a JST connector so I will use a different plug in the board.

    The battery that Chris suggests in this topic is 20C, so is it ok to use mine with 10C? Will it damage the board or produce any problems ?

    It is also a little heavier, but it should be within the lifting ability of the envelope if filled with helium.

    PS. photo of the battery here
    PS2. In Greece it seems that RC equipment is about double the price of US stores!
    Future home of helium.ps
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  • Cesar Agustin June 23, 2009 at 11:41am
    Much thanks.
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson June 23, 2009 at 10:46am
    This FTDI cable is the same as the DIY Drones one.
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