Table of Contents
Bill of Materials (BOM)
 | This document for the 3rd Generation Crowbox! |
|---|
Total cost will depend on where you buy your parts plus shipping, but we worked hard to keep it as low as possible - likely between $200-300 USD.
Acrylic Housing Components
Parts must be laser cut from acrylic sheets which are 3mm thick. You may download the ready-to-cut geometry files for the CrowBox housing parts for free, right here. If you have access to a laser cutter, you may cut these yourselves. Otherwise, you may be able to have the parts cut at a local MakerSpace if you have one near you.
The CrowBox is built using two different colors of acrylic: A solid (opaque) color, and transparent. The transparent parts must be transparent so that birds can see the rewards that are on offer. You may choose whichever solid color pleases you, but you should make sure to pick a color which results in a neutral, natural color scheme in your intended environment.
You can also buy made-to-order CrowBox acrylic parts online, directly from a provider such as Ponoko. (We have no financial interest in Ponoko, but have used them extensively for parts in the past.) Here are links to two preconfigured shopping carts at Ponoko, to make ordering easier:
The price of ordering parts from Ponoko may vary as raw material prices change. Also note that you may opt for longer lead times on manufacturing and shipping to save 10% or 20% on your order. This is a good option to save money on your order if you're not in a big hurry to receive your parts.
Materials and Supplies
Please consult the Bill of Materials video on the Crowbox YouTube channel for more detailed information on the required tools and supplies.
Each entry lists “Online Search Terms” which may be helpful when shopping for these supplies online.
An attempt has been made to provide approximate costs for each item. These are provided in US Dollars (USD)
We offer a printable checklist to help you track all of these items as you buy them. You can find this on the Printable Tools & Helpers page.
Fasteners and Hardware
| Item Name | Picture | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Machine Screw Assortment, stainless steel |  | A kit containing a large assortment of machine screws of 3mm (M3) size Important Notes -MUST be M3 (3mm) size -MUST be ‘button head’ style -MUST be shiny metal (no black or other types of coatings) -MUST include 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, and 20mm lengths -MUST include nuts -MUST include washers Online search term: “m3 machine screw assortment stainless steel button head” Approximate cost: $10.00 to $25.00 |
| Fender Washers (for counterweight) |  | Each rocker arm will require between 30 and 50 grams of counterweight installed. The most convenient objects to use for counterweights are thick, heavy 'fender washers' which are large washers with small holes in the middle. NOTE: maximum outside diameter is 1.25 inches! Suggested size: 3/16“ (hole diameter) x 1 1/4” (washer diameter) Online search term: “3/16 x 1 1/4 fender washer” Approximate cost: $4.00 to $15.00, depending on type of metal and number of pieces purchased. You can probably buy these individually at most hardware stores. |
Adhesives and Tapes
| Item Name | Picture | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sci-Grip #16 Acrylic Cement |  | This is THE ONLY acceptable adhesive for the Crowbox assembly. Super glue, model airplane cement, and other adhesives ARE NOT suitable substitutes! 5oz tube recommended. Online search term: “scigrip 16 cement” Approximate cost: $15.00 |
| Precision glue applicator tips |  | Required for proper application of Sci-Grip cement Online search term: “precision glue applicator tips” Approximate cost: Around $6.00 for 100 pieces |
| Cyanoacrylate super glue |  | A small amount of super glue is required for electronics assembly. DO NOT attempt to use super glue as a primary adhesive to assemble the Crowbox. |
| High-quality outdoor duct tape |  | We recommend name-brand duct tape labeled as “outdoor”or “all weather” or “snow and ice” type for better durability and adhesion. We recommend duct tape in colors OTHER than silver. Roll width must be 1.75 inches or greater. Online search term: “outdoor duct tape” Approximate cost: $5.00 to $12.00 |
| Aluminum foil tape OR copper foil tape |  | This tape must be REAL metal foil. This is extremely important! Please see the “Bill of Materials” video for more details on selecting the right kind of foil tape. Roll width must be 1.75 inches or greater. Online search term: “aluminum foil tape” or “copper foil tape” Approximate cost: $6.00 to $20.00 |
| Non-skid tape |  | Used to provide positive traction on the Crowbox perch. Must be a type suitable for outdoor use. Rubber style is acceptable but ‘sandpaper’ style is recommended. You MAY use duct tape for this purpose if you wish to avoid purchasing this item. It is not recommended but it will work. Online search term: “non skid tape” or “anti slip tape” Approximate cost: $6.00 to $20.00 |
| Masking tape |  | Used to temporarily secure parts during construction. Any style and size of masking tape or painter’s tape will work. |
Electronics
| Item Name | Picture | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arduino Uno Rev3 Microcontroller |  | Clones are usually OK. “Elegoo” and some other clone brands may come bundled with the USB Type A/B cable that is required to connect the board to a computer for programming (see next item below), which can be a good option for reducing the cost of the project. Genuino Arduino boards (genuino) do not come bundled with the required cable. Online search term: “arduino uno r3” Approximate cost: $15.00 (clone) - $30.00 (genuino) |
| USB Type A/B Cable |  | Required to connect the Arduino UNO to a computer so that the Crowbox software can be installed. Many Arduino clones come bundled with one of these cables so if you choose an Arduino UNO board that comes with the cable you won't need to buy one separately. Online search term: “usb a/b cable” Approximate cost: $4.00 - $10.00 |
| 170 point mini breadboard |  | A small and inexpensive item, almost always purchased in multipacks. Only one piece is required for the Crowbox. Online search term: “170 point breadboard” Approximate cost: $4.00 - $6.00 for several pieces |
| 6mm PCB mount pushbutton |  | A small and inexpensive item, almost always purchased in multipacks. Only one piece is required for the Crowbox. Online search term: “6mm pcb pushbutton” Approximate cost: $5.00 for ten to twenty pieces |
| Screw terminal blocks |  | Must be 5mm pitch. Terminals may be 2P or 3P (two terminals per block or three terminals per block). A total of 9 terminals are required. So five pieces of 2P terminal blocks, or three pieces of 3P terminal blocks. Online search term: “pcb screw terminal block 5mm” Cost: $3.00 to $14.00 per set |
| HiTec HS-311 Servo |  | We strongly recommended the “Hitec HS-311” servo, as this is the servo we have tested the most and have found to be a very reliable servo at low cost. Online search term: “hitec hs311 servo” Cost: $13.00 to $16.00 |
| 20AWG stranded hookup wire |  | We strongly recommend “silicone insulated” hookup wire due to its exceptional flexibility. -Wire should be stranded, not solid. -A kit that provides multiple colors is recommended. Online search term: “20awg stranded silicone wire” Approximate cost $12.00 to $30.00 for a multicolor kit |
| Breadboard jumper wires |  | A small collection of various solid-core wires used to make electrical connections on the breadboard. Do NOT buy “Dupont” style flexible jumper wires! Buy 'preformed' or 'u-shape' jumper wires. Online search term: “breadboard jumper wire kit” Approximate cost: $6.00 to $13.00 for a full kit |
| M3 Ring Terminals (20AWG) |  | Used to make solder-free wiring connections inside the Crowbox. This is an inexpensive part that is always bought in multipacks. Twenty pieces are required for the build. -It is very important to use the “M3” size. -Ring terminals designed for 20 AWG wire will always be RED. Online search term: “m3 ring terminals 20AWG“ Approximate cost: $6.00 to $12.00 for several dozen |
| USB Type A screw terminal |  | Used to connect a USB power bank to the Crowbox. -Must be “MALE” -Usually sold in pairs. (Only one required) Online search term: “usb a screw terminal block male” Approximate cost: $4.00 to $12.00 per pair |
Power Source
Power Option A: AC Adapter
This power option allows a Crowbox to be run off of household power. Please follow all safety precautions and use a GFCI protection device.
| Item Name | Picture | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power Pigtail |  | Only one is required but almost always sold in lots of 10 or more. Be sure to get the FEMALE type Online search term: “2.1 x 5.5mm female power pigtail” Approximate cost: $5.00 to $12.00 for several pieces |
| 5V 2A AC adapter |  | These are inexpensive and widely-available. The appearance of the wall socket plug may vary from what you see here. NOTE: Be sure that you buy an adapter with 5.5mm plug! NOTE: Be sure to buy a 2 amp adapter! Online search term: “5v2a 5.5×2.1mm DC power supply” Approximate cost: $6.00 to $12.00 |
| GFCI safety device | A wide variety of different types are available. See our complete section on electrical safety | To safely run any device outdoors on AC power, some kind of GFCI safety device is required. See our complete section on electrical safety for more information that may help you decide what type is right for your installation. |
Power Option B: USB Power Bank
This power option provides truly wireless power for a Crowbox installation. Without a solar panel the USB power bank will need to be swapped out or charged every 3-7 days, depending on the capacity of the power bank and the Crowbox's activity level.
The good news is that the rise of wireless home security cameras over the past several years has resulted in a wide variety of low-cost solar panels pre-wired for connection to USB devices!
| Item Name | Picture | Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 'Always On' USB Powerbank |  | It is extremely important to ensure that you buy a powerbank with an “Always On” feature. Most power banks do not have this feature!!! The only powerbank that we have extensively tested with the Crowbox is the V25 USB Battery Pack from Voltaic systems, as this battery pack has the 'Always On' feature the Crowbox requires to run at low current for long periods of time. Approximate cost: $45.00 to $100.00 (depending on capacity) |
| USB Solar Panel |  | There are no specific wattage requirements for this type of panel, but remember that the Crowbox doesn't use much energy. Panels rated for more than 5 watts are probably overkill. The panel should be a 5 volt panel. All panels that come with USB cables are 5 volt panels. Online search term: “usb solar panel” Approximate cost: $15.00 to $30.00 |
Tools and Other Supplies
- Wire stripper & crimper tool
- Screwdriver compatible with whichever style of M3 machine screws you selected
- Cable ties (small four inch type recommended)
- Cable ties (standard size, optional)
- Hobby knife or razor knife
- Needle nose pliers
- Sandpaper (180 or 300 grit)
- Ruler