Hardware Requirements¶
The specific hardware requirements and details for each OWL format are provided below. There are two designs developed to ensure improved performance without compromising on the original simplicity of the OWL:
Education layout (original OWL)
Compact OWL
extruded aluminium enclosure
3D printed enclosure
Original OWL |
Compact OWL - Extruded Aluminium Enclosure |
Compact OWL - 3D Printed Enclosure |
|---|---|---|
All 3D models and hardware assembly guides are provided in subsequent sections. The quantities of each item below are for one OWL detection unit for each respective design.
Please note links provided in tables below to an example online retailer of each component for convenience only. There are certainly many other retailers that may be better suited and priced to your purposes and we encourage you to find local suppliers. Other types of connector, layout and design are also possible, which may change the parts required.
Choose Your OWL Design¶
Educational Layout
The original OWL lays out all components in a flat design. It makes the connections and interactions within the system clear. It’s a great educational tool to learn the parts required for a weed detection system and has served in the field as a functional weed detection system for a number of years.
Best for: Education, prototyping, understanding system architecture
Production Ready
The new OWL design is more compact, inside either an extruded aluminium enclosure or 3D printed housing. It offers improved water and dust resistance, plus ease of assembly and longevity. This design is recommended for production use.
Best for: Production deployment, field operations, commercial use
Print Your Own Enclosure
All OWL enclosures and mounts can be 3D printed. STL files, print settings, and guidance are provided for both designs.
Includes: STL files, print settings, controller enclosures
Official OWL Hardware¶
We now have a range of official OWL hardware available to build or purchase.
OWL Enclosure¶
The Official OWL Enclosure is an extruded aluminium enclosure with rubber seals and a glued with 2mm thick glass lens. It provides a more production friendly, durable and water/chemical resisant option over 3D printed plastic.
OWL Driver Board¶
The Official OWL driver board combines the relay control board, power supply and wiring. It will be available for purchase soon, or you can use the files provided to order/make your own.
Controllers¶
OWL units can be controlled via GPIO-based controllers for managing 1-4 units. Controllers provide:
Recording toggle switches
Sensitivity adjustment
Status LEDs
Detection mode switching
For complete controller wiring, GPIO pin mapping, and configuration, see the Controller Setup Guide (coming soon in the Software section).
How many OWLs do I need?¶
Around one OWL per metre of spray boom. A 7-8 m boom needs 7-8 OWLs; a 12 m boom needs about 12. Boom coverage scales linearly — each OWL sees its own slice of the ground, and adjacent units overlap slightly at the edges.
Once you are running more than around four OWLs on the same boom, a networked controller becomes the practical option — see Networked Setup for the in-cab dashboard, router, and screen used for multi-OWL systems.
Required Tools¶
Before starting any OWL build, ensure you have these tools:
Wire strippers
Wire cutters
Pliers
Soldering iron/solder (only for Original OWL)
Heat shrink tubing
Multimeter (recommended)
3D printer or printing service
PLA/PETG filament
Heat-set insert tool
Safety Guidelines¶
Important Safety Notes
⚠️ NOTE All components listed above are relatively “plug and play” with minimal soldering or complex electronics required. Follow these instructions carefully and triple check your connections before powering anything on to avoid losing the magic smoke and potentially a few hundred dollars. Never make changes to the wiring on the detection unit while it is connected to 12V and always remain within the safe operating voltages of any component.
Getting Started¶
Ready to Build?
Choose your OWL variant based on your needs:
New to OWL? Start with Compact OWL for easier assembly and production-ready design
Want to learn? Try Original OWL for educational value and clear component visibility
Both designs use similar core components but differ in assembly complexity and enclosure design.
Community & Support¶
💬 Questions: Ask in the OWL Community
🔧 Build Tips: Share your assembly experience with the community
📸 Show Your Build: We love seeing OWL systems in action!
🐛 Hardware Issues: Report problems on GitHub Issues