Parts

To build a Mothbox Pro, you will need these parts (prices are estimates and fluctuate):

MB pro all parts 20260209_160744

Electronics

This newest version of the Mothbox has easy to assemble electronics! You only need

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  • Mothbox Mainboard - a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with most electronics already connected up for you! - $50
  • Mothbeam Boards - Little, super bright, metal LEDs that plug in to your Mainboard (up to 3) - $5 each
  • Raspberry Pi 5 4GB (or higher) - $75
  • SD Card - 32GB or bigger, Class A1 or faster (A2 is nice) - $15
  • Pi 5 RTC Battery - $8
  • Talentcell PB1202b - You can actually use any battery between 9-36 V to power the mothbox (it’s more efficient around 12V), but for these tutorials we will use the main battery we use for all our devices, this one by Talentcell - $80
  • 9-36V to 12V voltage Regulator - $15
  • Arducam 64 MP Owlsight camera - $55 (Don’t get the “Hawkeye” older version of this camera if you can avoid it!)
  • (Optional) Epaper Display (Waveshare 2.13in E-ink hat) - $15
  • Barrel Jack Sockets (x2) - $2

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Attractors

  • Mothbeams can plug right in to the PCB
  • External - You can also connect any 12V attractor you want via the “External attractor” port

Zip Ties

  • 7 really thin ones
  • 8 typical width
  • 2 really big

3D printed parts

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  • Inner Chassis
  • Outer Shell
  • Camera Glare Blocker
  • Front Lid
  • Back Lid

For really wet places

  • TPU Gasket - Front
  • TPU Gasket - Back

Laser Cut Parts

  • Front Acrylic Window
  • Arms

Connectors

To hold the lid on and the legs on you have 3 options:

  • Re-usable zip ties
  • Rubbery Silicone Ties
  • 3D printable TPU ties

Tools

Here’s some tools you need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Wire Strippers
  • Hot Glue Gun

Bonus tools could also be useful:

  • Flat Snips (Scissors could maybe work too)

Total Estimate: $350

Bonus Parts

You can also add:

  • Cheap Epaper display - ($15USD) to know what your Mothbox is up to!
  • External temperature sensor - Connects to a port on the PCB
  • Cheap GPS - gives super accurate timestamps and can automatically locate your mothbox - plugs in to ports on PCB - 5 pin or 4 pin