Mothbox Tools and Materials
The Mothbox 3.21 uses a Raspberry pi 4, Pijuice, Talentcell Battery, as its core. The entire materials cost is about $400
Mothbox Bill of Materials / Parts List
Parts for creating N- amount of Mothboxes
1x the following:
- Dielectric grease
- IP68 Waterproof Electrical Junction Box, 3 Way Line Quick Wiring Connector
- White cotton fine-weave sheet
- 53mm hole saw bit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R5RZNQK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_d53etails
- Plastic epoxy
- Spools of Wire
- Red
- Black
- Wago connectors
- M2 M2.5 and M3 Screws and nuts
- Zip ties
- Materials Holder (Tripod or Big stake with 1/4in bolt)
N-x the following:
Electronics
Core Logic and Sensors
- Raspberry pi 4
- (can work with a Rpi5 now too)
- Power Management Pi Hat (Pijuice)
- Arducam 64MP Autofocus Camera
- Relay Expansion Pi Hat (Waveshare 3x relay)
Power and Connection
- Battery : Talentcell 12V Lithium ion Battery PB120B1
- USB accessories
USB Micro Cable
12. Old USB cables to slice apart (we need a USB A plug)
13. or these are useful and easier to build with than cutting your own USB cables
14. [Female USB socket with Pigtails ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BD756DQR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
15. [USB cable extender (Female USB port)](https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Extension-Cable-Male-Female/dp/B00NH136GE/ref=sr_1_1_ffob_sspa?crid=1HSHOAK18Q9AR&keywords=usb+cable+extender&qid=1683518620&sprefix=%2Caps%2C362&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFORDhWQUVBVFVMRlgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNDA0NTIxQkZTU1dIREg5Q0RaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5ODExMzkzU0lDVEVENVZWMjImd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl)
16. [USB Cable Splitter ( very handy in case you want Two Black lights)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKQSTCB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) 15. [5.5x2.1mm cables](https://www.amazon.com/TalentCell-Adapter-5-5x2-1mm-5-5x2-5mm-Splitter/dp/B0BTBQJBSF/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=TalentCell+Power+Adapter+Cable%2C+DC+5.5x2.1mm+Male+to+DC+5.5x2.5mm+Male+Cable%2C+DC5521+1+Female+to+2+Male+Power+Supply+Y+Splitter+Cord%2C+DC5521+Male+to+DC4017+Male+Cable+for+CCTV+Camera%2C+LED+Strip+Light&qid=1682353719&sr=8-2)** ** 16. step-down to 5V dc "Buck" converter
17. [These have been reliable, and we have designed a custom connector that lets you connect them to a Rpi kind of like a hat](https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Supply-Converter-Module-Transformer/dp/B076ZLHLD3/)
18. In theory, other 7+ to 5V dc converters that have high output power can work, but may require more wiring and organization
Lights
- 2x 144 LED Ring light
- 2.55” (65mm) inside and 3.75” (95mm) overall outside diameters
- UV lights
- Any UV light that takes a 5 V input via USB should work
- These light bars are the absolute cheapest ones we can find that attract moths (395nm) https://www.amazon.com/Black-Light-Bar-Glow-Party/dp/B09BCND2J9/
- We are also testing out custom Mothbeams which are like bespoke, low cost- lepileds
- Lepileds can also be connected
- Backlight pad (this current design does not use a backlight anymore) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7FLJX1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Camera Lens Gear
We are turning the box into a kind of 55mm lens camera so accessories that work for a 55mm lens should work
- UV Lens Protector and Mount
- Lens cap
- Lens Hood (includes lens cap)
Structure
- Clear Waterproof Case -Plano 1460-00 (sometimes called plano 3600) 11”L x 7”W x 4”H
- Plastic for laser cutting (the design is currently set for 3mm acrylic)
- 1/4in bolts and nuts
- bolts
- wingnuts
- hex nuts
- Socket “Tee Nut” https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tee-nuts/thread-size~1-4-20/
- For the custom tripod attachment on bottom of mothbox
- We used the kind with 3 prongs, but you can also use a flat round weld nut
- Optional - you can get waterproof connectors for the boxes like these, or we are just going to epoxy the holes after we run the wires through