Raspberry Pi
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This step is optional. The Spirit Rover can operate without a Raspberry Pi unit present. If you wish to include a Raspberry Pi board, install it at this point. It can be added later, though not easily as some of the Spirit Rover must be disassembled to access this area in the future.
The Spirit Rover is compatible with the following Raspberry Pi boards:
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (Recommended, this version is optional supplied with Spirit kits)
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B
Required Parts:
4x 14mm M2 Screws (these are the slightly larger diameter screws)
4x M2 ('larger') Nuts
4x 6mm Spacers
1x Raspberry Pi Board
1x MicroSD Memory Card
1x 8 inch / 200mm Flat Ribbon Cable (for Pi Camera, Optional)
1x Rover Upper Frame Plate
Build Steps:
The MicroSD card is normally supplied inserted inside a MicroSD to normal size SD adapter card. Slide the smaller MicroSD card out of the adapter. Put the adapter aside in case you ever need to insert the card into another computer. The supplied MicroSD card is pre-loaded with NOOBS, which is a pre-configured card containing the Raspbian operating system. You will use this Raspbian operating system in most cases. The card should not need to be loaded with anything from another computer before use. If you are using your own MicroSD card, follow instructions online to prepare the card with Raspbian operating system for the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi board does not include a hard drive. Instead, it uses the MicroSD card as if it were a hard drive.
Insert the MicroSD card into the socket on the bottom side of the Raspberry Pi board. Normally you will not need to remove this card again. If removal is required, it is possible to access the card once the Spirit Rover is complete, though it can be challenging. Use of tweezers to reach into the opening in front of the mounted Raspberry Pi allows for careful removal or replacement of the MicroSD card if needed in the future.
The flat flexible cable supplied with standard Raspberry Pi Camera modules is too short for the Spirit Rover. Use the supplied flat cable instead. Install cable into the Raspberry Pi per the instructions below. It is important to properly install the cable in the Raspberry Pi board at this time, as the connector will not be accessible after the robot is built. Follow instructions below. Once the flat cable is installed in the Pi, it will not fall out on its own, however, it can be pulled out if not careful. This cable will float loose during much of the remainder of the build, so take care not to pull on the cable. If you are not using a Raspberry Pi camera, this step can be skipped.
After the flat cable is inserted into the Pi, attach the Raspberry Pi to the bottom side of the upper frame as shown in the images below.
Install MicroSD card into Raspberry Pi as shown.
To install the cable into the Raspberry Pi, carefully lift up on the black frame around the connector. This should slide upward a few millimeters. This releases tension on the internals of the connector allowing the cable to be inserted.
Important Notes:
Note the direction of the silver contacts on the cable.
The cable is very slightly too wide, so you may need to wiggle it into the connector a bit. Once it starts to insert into the socket, it should smoothly go into the slot the rest of the way to the bottom. Some of the sliver contact surface will still be visible even after inserting. This is okay.
After the cable is seated, carefully slide the black frame around the connector back down into its original position. This will restore clamping pressure on the cable and contacts.
After the cable is secure, give it a slight pull to make sure it doesn't easily pull back out of the connector.
Do this several times if needed. It is very important the cable is secure in the connector before moving ahead. If the cable slides out, it is difficult to re-insert without disassembly of parts of the robot.
View of cable from alternate angle during insertion. Again verify which side the blue strip is placed on, and which side the silver contacts surface is placed on. If the cable is reversed it will not work. The blue strip should be on the same side of the connector as the black locking portion of the frame.
Feed the ribbon cable through the opening in the frame as shown.
Secure the Raspberry Pi board to the upper frame as shown.
Important Notes:
WARNING: It is possible to bend the pin header on the Raspberry Pi board if not careful. Be careful not to create too large an angle between the Raspberry Pi and the upper frame during assembly as this may bend the pins on the Pi. If pins do get bent they can be straightened with a tool being extremely careful doing so.
WARNING: Be very careful when tightening nuts on the bottom side of the Raspberry Pi. The board has several small components near the screws. Be very careful to not damage these parts during assembly.
HELPFUL TIP: It is suggested to just slightly start the nuts on the screws until all 4 nuts are started. This will allow flexing of the Raspberry Pi somewhat to insert spacers into the remaining locations. Once all nuts are started, go back and tighten all 4 nuts.
The four plastic spacers should be inserted between the Raspberry Pi board and the frame. This will result in proper spacing of the Raspberry Pi board.
If the Raspberry Pi board is properly mounted, the Raspberry Pi should not actually touch the rover's frame part. This will be correct as long as all 4 spacers are installed correctly. If the pin header on the Raspberry Pi protrudes out the top of the frame part, you may be missing the spacers. This height is important so that the Spirit Main Board can be attached correctly.
When complete the frame should look as shown in the above pictures.
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