Raspberry Pi Forums

I am going to order a Raspberry Pi from Amazon soon. It's my first time! I've not thought about what I'll be making yet, thinking of a security camera for now. Thing is, I don't know if I should buy a breadboard and jumper wires with it. Because I don't really know what they're used for.

So my question would be, how are breadboards important when used with a Raspberry Pi? Is it used in most of the projects? Or only for basic ones? Like switching on LEDs and that sorta stuff. I'd like to know the uses!

And also, is buying one mandatory?

Thanks!

A breadboard enables you to connect other components, especially to the GPIO pins without soldering.

If you will only ever use ready made peripherals which plug on to the GPIO header or into the USB ports, you will not need a breadboard.

Thanks for your reply! Could you give me examples of a few common peripherals that would use a breadboard?

shahlin wrote:Thanks for your reply! Could you give me examples of a few common peripherals that would use a breadboard?

Components such as switches, LEDs, resistors, Analogue to Digital Converter ICs etc

drgeoff wrote:Components such as switches, LEDs, resistors, Analogue to Digital Converter ICs etc

Thanks! Which one do you think is more useful for a beginner - A breadboard w/ Jumper wires or a WiFi Network adapter?

shahlin wrote:

drgeoff wrote:Components such as switches, LEDs, resistors, Analogue to Digital Converter ICs etc

Thanks! Which one do you think is more useful for a beginner - A breadboard w/ Jumper wires or a WiFi Network adapter?

If the beginner will be using the Pi in a desktop configuration (USB keyboard and mouse, connected to a display) then a breadboard and jumper wires would be more useful. (IMO).

The first thing I bought after my Pi was a Breadboard and some jumper leads.
I find them invaluable for connecting to the GPIO pins.

I currently use Switches, LED's and Resistors in the Breadboad.

If your projects will be purely software you don't need a breadboard.

If your RPi can always be hardwired from its ethernet port to your router, you don't need a Wi-Fi adapter.

BMS Doug wrote:If the beginner will be using the Pi in a desktop configuration (USB keyboard and mouse, connected to a display) then a breadboard and jumper wires would be more useful. (IMO).

But Keyboard, mouse, etc can be connected via USB right? Why would I need a breadboard for that purpose?

drgeoff wrote: If your RPi can always be hardwired from its ethernet port to your router, you don't need a Wi-Fi adapter.

True. And if you can't easily connect to Ethernet you will need a WIFi adapter. Internet connectivity is pretty much essential for most Pi uses.

drgeoff wrote:If your projects will be purely software you don't need a breadboard.

If your RPi can always be hardwired from its ethernet port to your router, you don't need a Wi-Fi adapter.

Thanks, I think for now I'll buy a breadboard and jumper wires! Because I have an Ethernet connection available at all times!

RDS wrote:The first thing I bought after my Pi was a Breadboard and some jumper leads.
I find them invaluable for connecting to the GPIO pins.

I currently use Switches, LED's and Resistors in the Breadboad.

I'll get a breadboard then! And for the jumper wires, I'll have to get Male to Female ones right?

It's worth having some of each. M->M, F->M, F->F.

From Pi to breadboard you want F->M, but from breadboard to other places on the breadboard you need M->M. F->F are, for example, for when you need to connect from pins on PI to Pins on other boards.

However many you have you always need more.

piglet wrote:It's worth having some of each. M->M, F->M, F->F.

From Pi to breadboard you want F->M, but from breadboard to other places on the breadboard you need M->M. F->F are, for example, for when you need to connect from pins on PI to Pins on other boards.

Oh, 10 of each will be enough for now right? Instead of 40 of M->F.

They come in 40's normally. If you search for "dupont cables" you can find them very cheaply on ebay and other places (e.g.99p or less delivered from china) - they're so cheap that there's little point looking for smaller numbers.

piglet wrote:They come in 40's normally. If you search for "dupont cables" you can find them very cheaply on ebay and other places (e.g.99p or less delivered from china) - they're so cheap that there's little point looking for smaller numbers.

Oh alright! Thanks! I'll check them out!
One more thing! I'll have to buy resistors and stuff like that too? Or just breadboards and jumper wires are enough?

shahlin wrote:

piglet wrote:They come in 40's normally. If you search for "dupont cables" you can find them very cheaply on ebay and other places (e.g.99p or less delivered from china) - they're so cheap that there's little point looking for smaller numbers.

Oh alright! Thanks! I'll check them out!
One more thing! I'll have to buy resistors and stuff like that too? Or just breadboards and jumper wires are enough?

You can't do anything useful or educational with just breadboards and jumper wires.

shahlin wrote:

piglet wrote:They come in 40's normally. If you search for "dupont cables" you can find them very cheaply on ebay and other places (e.g.99p or less delivered from china) - they're so cheap that there's little point looking for smaller numbers.

Oh alright! Thanks! I'll check them out!
One more thing! I'll have to buy resistors and stuff like that too? Or just breadboards and jumper wires are enough?

Depends on what you want to do with it, usually yes, but you need the right values. Is there a tutorial that you are looking at?

kusti8 wrote:Depends on what you want to do with it, usually yes, but you need the right values. Is there a tutorial that you are looking at?

I watched a basic tutorial on how to connect LEDs. They showed the use of resistors. I've decided not to get a breadboard because I'm not gonna do much of hardware stuff for now. I'm mostly into programming!

I find a breadboard invaluable for making projects that I find on the internet. Projects that are simple such as making a LED blink, or a Ultrasonic Sensor to measure distance, or a motion sensor. These circuits, while they are very simplistic are the examples I am using to learn how to program in python. A cheap half size breadboard can be had for a couple dollars, I picked up a variety pack of resistors (approx. 400 pieces) in values ranging from 1ohm to 1Mohm for another couple bucks off ebay. A handful of LED's for a dollar. My point is that all of these various sensors can be had for very little money. The breadboard is kind of like the holder, the jumper wires to connect them, and the individual sensors so I can study the code and learn and then modify the code and learn more about how it all works.

I guess in theory I could just study the code to learn but I find building the circuits hands on to be very gratifying.

If your reasons for choosing between a wifi adapter or a breadboard and supplies are financial I understand. IMHO internet connectivity is nearly mandatory, whether wired or wireless doesn't matter.

When you say you want to learn to program, what is it specifically you would like to do with your pi? IT's a cool little tool and there are so many different things you can do. I got mine because I wanted to build a media center and run Kodi, then I found the magpi magazine and some example circuits and it gave me a whole different perspective on what can be done with it.

RustySocket wrote:I find a breadboard invaluable for making projects that I find on the internet. Projects that are simple such as making a LED blink, or a Ultrasonic Sensor to measure distance, or a motion sensor.

Thanks, your post was really helpful! I'll buy a breadboard with jumper wires and resistors, that's all I'll be needing right?
As for the internet connection, I'll use my Ethernet cable.

You should learn how to use the electronic components you need for each purpose. Using the wrong components or wiring them wrongly could ruin your Pi or start a fire. Be a lot more careful if you are using higher voltages or external power supplies.

Just buying the breadboard and leads is certainly not enough. You should also consider something like the Pi Cobbler - a small board that you plug in to the bread board that has a ribbon cable to connect to the Pi. Then you only need male to male wires to push into the breadboard. Consider getting some 0.6mm diameter single/solid core wire (insulated) instead of specific cables, you can then cut your own lengths.

Two other suggestions: look around for electronic kits (often in a sale) - I got a discounted kit with lots of LEDs for a lot less than buying new LEDs. Also, if you know what you are doing, try picking up cheap devices and taking them to pieces - cheap toys often have lights and buzzers and switches - of course, you cannot take them apart before you have bought them to check, but perhaps check charity shops

Navyscourge wrote:You should learn how to use the electronic components you need for each purpose. Using the wrong components or wiring them wrongly could ruin your Pi or start a fire. Be a lot more careful if you are using higher voltages or external power supplies.

Is there an online source/guide to know the power the Pi can take and stuff like that?

try googling 'raspberry pi electronic kit' or similar

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SunFounder-Rasp ... ronics+kit


or http://www.adafruit.com/products/2380 to see the basics you can add

gordon77 wrote:http://www.amazon.co.uk/SunFounder-Rasp ... ronics+kit


or http://www.adafruit.com/products/2380 to see the basics you can add

Unfortunately they don't ship to my country of residence. I've decided to buy only the Pi for now. As I start working on it, I'll see the things I need, thanks though!