Mini breadboard

[firefox]

I was reading the 50$ robot tut. I have never built a robot and i really wanna try this tutorial out because it seems like a great one for beginner. I have a couple of quick questions about the electonics of it though.
1:Is a mini bread board a suitable replacement for a prototyping board?
2:Does it truely require no soldering?
3:Can i connect everything just like he did with the prototyping board and still get the same result?
4: I noticed he used wires on the back of his, is this just for organization or does it do something?

Thanks in advance 

[Joker94]

Is a mini bread board a suitable replacement for a prototyping board?

Yes a mini bread board will work but if you want to get into robotics i would recommend to get the next size up from the mini as it is really usefull later on and mini might not cut it.

A prototyping board is better for the loong term as it can fit onto the bot however(upside down, on its side, shoved into the pare space) where as bread boards have to be kept in a suitable position to maintain good connections and to make sure the components dont get caught on something

but to start with a bread board will be fine. just take into consideration if it is worth getting a bigger one. its upto you.

Does it truely require no soldering?

Yep no soldering, the entire point of a bread board. very good for prototyping cicuits.

although you will need to solder your sensors.

Can i connect everything just like he did with the prototyping board and still get the same result?

Most likely not. A prototyping board has indavidual pads for each hole where as a bread board has rows of holes. The set out of which holes are connected etc depend on your board.(i'll post a pic)

I noticed he used wires on the back of his, is this just for organization or does it do something?

the wires connect the pins of the MCU to some components and headers etc. so yes it is for orginisation. you can put them on the top but when they are on the bottom it keeps the circuit board looking good.

[Joker94]

with mine(a mini board in this case)

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The vertical lines are connected verticaly( 4 bars over all)
The horizontal holes are connected (5 holes are connected0
and there is a gap in the middle

i hope i made my self clear if not just ask a question

here is a youtube into to.

Intro to Breadboard Electronics

[firefox]

Alright I think I get it now.To be honest I was trying to avoid soldering even though its something i gotta know sooner or later.I might just get the prototyping board since I will have to solder the sensor anyway like you said.I was just reading the tut. on setting up the sensor, he didn't say the type of wires you need for them. I am sure its a standard type of wire but because of my lack of electric knowledge I have to ask for the specifics. :]

[Joker94]

well it is pretty simple. All it is is hook up wire. there ae various names but you should be able to get some from your local electroncis store. make sure it is around 26 guage( i dont want to confuse you but really if it is to thick it is alot harder to work with when i comes to crimping the crimp pins on to go into the housing).

Joker94

[firefox]

Alright that sounds good. Luckily i know the materials manager of  Belden wiring. Even if I cant get the wire from them I am sure he will know the right size and such. 

[Joker94]

Great. and remeber we are always here if you get stuck.

[firefox]

Thank you. Hopefully I can start ordering my parts this week.

[Soeren]

Hi,

A prototyping board is better for the loong term as it can fit onto the bot however(upside down, on its side, shoved into the pare space) where as bread boards have to be kept in a suitable position to maintain good connections and to make sure the components dont get caught on something

A breadboard is a generic name for just about anything you build prototypes (and the like) on, so there's really no clear distinction on protoboards and breadboards.
Dead Bug building and Manhattan Mount are other breadboarding methods, but they're still breadboards.

I guess that you ment to differentiate between solderless breadboards and soldered breadboards?

[Joker94]

Sorry i was using the names of what i think about when  think of those names.

yeah prototype boards=soldered
bread boards=solder less