# DIY project : track when the postman arrives at our mailbox using sensor then log the data on gsheet **URL:** \ **Category:** Arduino\ **Created:** [March 17, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/diy-project-track-when-the-postman-arrives-at-our-mailbox-using-sensor-then-log-the-data-on-gsheet/29577 "2023-03-17T21:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vlbruzeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bbce88/32.png) [@vlbruzeau](https://forum.digikey.com/u/vlbruzeau)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/diy-project-track-when-the-postman-arrives-at-our-mailbox-using-sensor-then-log-the-data-on-gsheet/29577/1 "2023-03-17T21:34:48Z")
Hey everyone! My stepson and I are working on a fun Arduino project that involves tracking when the postman arrives at our mailbox using a motion sensor, and then logging the data on a Google Sheet. We’re super excited, but we’re having a lot of trouble finding the components we need on digikey.ca. We’ve put together a list of what we think we’ll need for this project, but we’re not sure about the exact digikey.ca items. Could any kind-hearted folks help us find the right components to purchase on digikey.ca ? My stepson and I appreciate your help in advance! - Items to purchase separately: - 1. PIR motion sensor (HC-SR501) - 2. Real-time clock module (DS3231) - 3. Wi-Fi module (ESP8266) - 4. Logic level converter (bi-directional, for interfacing 5V Arduino with 3.3V ESP8266) - 5. Battery (18650 Li-ion battery) - 6. Battery holder - 7. Voltage regulator (5V) - Items included in the ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit (57.99$): - [https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/démarrage-dalimentation-servomoteur-dextension-prototype/dp/B01D8KOZF4/ref=asc\_df\_B01D8KOZF4/?tag=cafrdeshadgo-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459545961991&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4346505007868945328&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002604&hvtargid=pla-406302474425&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/d%C3%A9marrage-dalimentation-servomoteur-dextension-prototype/dp/B01D8KOZF4/ref=asc_df_B01D8KOZF4/?tag=cafrdeshadgo-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459545961991&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4346505007868945328&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002604&hvtargid=pla-406302474425&psc=1) 8. Arduino UNO R3 compatible board 9. Resistors, capacitors, and other small components 10. Breadboard or PCB 11. Jumper wires ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Rudi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/michael_rudi/32/6162_2.png) [@Michael\_Rudi](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Michael_Rudi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/diy-project-track-when-the-postman-arrives-at-our-mailbox-using-sensor-then-log-the-data-on-gsheet/29577/2 "2023-03-22T18:37:04Z")
Hello Vlbruzeau and welcome to the forum, I can help with some of these items, but there are some misses. I’ll go line by line; 1. We are missing this outright on .CA, I could not ID the base component on that side of the catalog. 2. DS3231’s are in catalog, [see here for a list of surface mount parts](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/real-time-clocks/690?s=N4IgjCBcpgnAHLKoDGUBmBDANgZwKYA0IA9lANogAMIAugL7EC0ATMiGpAC4BOArkVIUQAVjr1GINpEoARAMoBmFoogMgA) 3. We have some [ESP Modules relevant to your search here](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/rf-evaluation-and-development-kits-boards/1165?s=N4IgjCBcoLQExVAYygFwE4FcCmAaEA9lANogCsIAugL74wCciIKkGO%20RkpENtICXEAFEAygAUAHHABs0qtSA). 4. See [1568-1209-ND](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/BOB-12009/5673795) (I’m getting a sparkfun vibe from your list) 5. We cannot ship Li-Ion batteries on digikey.ca orders, shipping restrictions with the material I’m afraid. 6. [We can ship the holders though.](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/battery-holders-clips-contacts/86?s=N4IgjCBcoGwJxVAYygMwIYBsDOBTANCAPZQDaIAzABwCsADAOx0gC6hADgC5QgDKnAJwCWAOwDmIAL6TCAJjLgqMegAIARuk6dcAgJ4qAFkUwATHa0lA) 7. Doesn’t Arduino have a 5V out? A simple search of voltage regulator and 5V should net you tons of options, too many list on a generic search. See here to start: ([Linear](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/power-management-pmic/voltage-regulators-linear/699?s=N4IgjCBcpg7LBOKoDGUBmBDANgZwKYA0IA9lANogBMALAnBALrEAOALlCAMpsBOAlgDsA5iAC%2BY4lQohsQ-Jl4ACAD5LcAd35sUACyGjGYoA)) ([Switching](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/power-management-pmic/voltage-regulators-linear-switching/776?s=N4IgjCBcpgzArPKoDGUBmBDANgZwKYA0IA9lANogBMALAJw1V0jG0MIvX002ydv0A7P3rwADADYRdeGDHT4sABwLZCwRFYTBfLYJogAusQAOAFyggAymYBOASwB2AcxABfN6wohsT-JlsAAgAfQNwAd3szFAALJ1dDNyA)) note that more options exist in either category than listed. I’ve just linked a very general search. To your second general inquiry, we have some kits that may fit the bill, [see here](https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/educational-kits/939?s=N4IgjCBcoLQExVAYygFwE4FcCmAaEA9lANogCsIAugL74wCciIKkGO%2BRkpENtICXEAEN0AE0wBLAHYEABAGsJqEPgBKAZirUgA). ---
**Author:** ![bidrohini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bidrohini](https://forum.digikey.com/u/bidrohini)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/diy-project-track-when-the-postman-arrives-at-our-mailbox-using-sensor-then-log-the-data-on-gsheet/29577/3 "2023-03-25T13:10:58Z")
Buying the components of elegoo starter kit seperately is not an easy task. Let me share my personal experience. I had many parts of this starter kit beforehand. So, I decided to purchase some of the sensors separately from China via a local company. I purchased around 10 sensors. Among them, 2 or 3 turned out to be bad. So, I think it’s safe to purchase this kit altogether from a dependable source. Anyway, if you do not want to buy elegoo kit, you can buy equivalents of these sensors from dfrobot, seedstudio and waveshare. DFrobot also have a 27 sensor ARduino starter kit. You can consider buying that too.