Arduino Power Supply + Breadboards

If your new to Arduino I would recommend playing with the starter kit first, before purchasing anything specific untill you know what kind of project you want to do. Also check out the vast array of add-on shields that are available from http://store.arduino.cc/eu/index.php

If you want to get a cheap power supply that will power an Uno and most shields (motors and LED strips, for example, take a lot more current/higher voltage) look at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-VOLT-9V-DC-MAINS-POWER-SUPPLY-ADAPTER-1000MA-ADAPTOR-/400230499907?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item5d2f98c643 .

A 9V adapter works great for Arduino, that adapter is 1A, so is plenty of current for most things, and the 2.5mm connector is the correct size for all Arduino boards (and Raspberry Pi, et al.).  Nothing magic about this particular adapter, other than with the specs I know it will work.  You can also use an old power adapter from some electronic device, that fits the specs.  Using a "breadboard power supply" is usually more trouble than it's worth when you're just starting off.  Having one you can plug into the wall and your Arduino's power port is much easier.

So using that adaptor i would use the Uno 5V rail to power any electronics?

Thanks for the advice.

You're welcome Neil.

One of the cool things about Arduino is the on-board voltage regulator (to me, anyway).  The uC can take power from USB (5V/300mA for USB 2.0), the barrel adapter (7-20V stated, but I wouldn't use anything above 12V, personally), or both (the uC will use 5V USB, with the other power for attached devices).  I don't know your background, so I apologize if I speak below your level - That's not intended,

Using a voltage divider circuit or voltage regulator allows you to take a given voltage and change it to something else - voltage=current x resistance (or E=IR for American purists).  The Arduino is designed to put the desired 5V to the CPU, and a different voltage to the pins on the board.  Just to pick oln something I use occasionally; LED strips want 12V, and generally 2A.  No way the Atmel chip would survive 2A of current directly through it.  Oversimplifying, the voltage regulator gives the ATMega chip the 5V it wants, and the 12V the LED strip wants.  You don't have to worry about a "5V rail" as this is all built-in to the board.

Arduino has a really good page on power adapters - This question comes up a lot: http://playground.arduino.cc/Learning/WhatAdapter .  Hopefully that answer your question Neil.  If I can clarify, or give more detail just reply.

Thanks for the info.  My background is IT Technician, but more trouble shooting hardware fixing (i.e. if the part is broke just replace).  But more technical on electronics on component level i'm a complete beginer.

Really tempted to get one before Xmas and hide it at work lol

You're welcome Neil!  Glad to help.

I know the "just get a replacement" world quite well.  Arduino is a great place to start.  You'll learn both basic electronics as well as micrcontrollers and "pseudo-C" (the Arduino language is based on Processing, which mostly follows C).  I've not generally seen prices go down around the holidays; but I have seen availability go down - No reason not to get one now.

I would suggest a "Starter Kit".  This has components, breadboard, and project examples that are invaluable when you're getting started.  There are all kinds of Arduino books, but also get to know the Newark community (as you already have) and the Arduino Playground (http://playground.arduino.cc).  If you're wondering; "No, I don't work for Arduino or Newark".  I just love making pretty much anything that moves electrons.

Yeah i'm looking at getting a super kit that has LCD/Survo/Motor/LED + Resistors etc etc, from 4tronix ebay store.

Thanks for all the tips.

You're welcome - Have fun!

Hopping on the bandwagon here.

I am fairly new to Arduino and E14.  I will attest to the success of the recommendations that the other guys have put forward.  First, I had the same question regarding power.   I have used a simple 5v battery pack, as well as a 9v and a 12v power supply from other cast off equipment, such as old cell phones.  The on-board voltage regulator works as advertised and I see no difference in operation so far.

Also, I agree with your approach starting with a Starter Kit, which is what I did.  I too have been working through some examples by Blum, as well as others.  There is a wealth of information on various sites and on Youtube.  The only other thing I did was to get a couple of book and one app.  I bought the, "Arduino Cookbook" by Michael Margolis.  It's an O'Reilly book.  This is very helpful on the programming side.  There are a number of very helpful books, including ones by Jeffrey Blum as well.

I have been having fun working on simple beginner projects with my little 8-yr old grandson.  I couldn't resist jumping ahead a couple of times and working some more complicated things.  This is a great hobby.  There's no end in sight!

Have fun!

Cool - That's what it's all about!

Most of the books out there are actually great - Jeff Margolis' "Arduino Cookbook" (make sure to get the 2nd Edition for Arduino IDE 1.0 and later) and Jeffrey Blum's "Exploring Arduino" are outstanding for their accuracy and information.  Massimo Banzi's "Getting Started..." guide is a great place to begin to get a feel for Arduino, if someone hasn't worked with it before.  Those are all O'Reilly books.  If you get the electronic version O'Reilly regularly updates them with changes based on Errata and coding/libraries.  That said, I usually get the Ebook and print versions, as I like having a paper book (if you interested in that "debate" read Scientific American this month).

The only rules are constraints of phsyics!  It really is a great hobby that can take you places most people never think of; let alone do.  I work with microcontrollers professionally; and I love the whole Arduino universe.  I once made a schematic of the components required to make a blinking LED (using 555 timer, etc.).  That would've taken at least a couple of hours to make on a perf board.  With a $30 Arduino it took about 2 minutes...and I could make it blink in different patterns without potentiometers, etc.

Have fun yourself!