PROJECTS - Propeller clock a few light emitting diodes spin, precisely controlled by a PIC microprocessor





"Propeller Clock" Mechanically Scanned LED Clock
Seven light emitting diodes spin, giving the illusion of numbers in the air.
Top View
Side View


This is the first clock I ever built. I've built a few LED signs, but they get boring because I already know the message.

How this clock works:

A motor spins the "propeller", and a small microprocessor keeps track of time and changes the pattern on seven LEDs with exact timing to simulate a 7 by 30 array of LEDs. It is an illusion, but it works nicely.
If you want to build this clock, you will need a few things, including:

  Skill with motors and mechanical things.

  Prior electronic experience.

  A dead VCR or floppy drive or other source of a suitable motor and miscellaneous parts.
  A programmer that will program a PIC16C84 or 16F84 microprocessor.

I have provided (almost)everything else:

The Next Page with drawings and plans.

Download:

mclock.txt A full description how to build it.
mclkpart.txt The parts list.
mclock8.asm The source code in Microchip MPASM format.
mclock8.hex The hex code ready to load into a PIC16C84 or 16F84 chip.
mclksch2.gif A large and very readable schematic diagram.
mclkmoto.gif A drawing of the modifications to the motor.
If you can't get that kind of motor, you can use the motor from an old disk drive. This page has a lot of pictures and will take some time to load. If you use a disk drive motor or any other DC motor with brushes 180 degrees apart, you'll need the slightly revised code:

Download:



mclockt3.asm The source code.
mclockt3.hex The hex code ready to put in a chip.
If you don't have any way to put the program into a PIC 16C84 or 16F84 chip, you can build your own programmer.
Printed Circuit Board Layout for a version of the clock.


License:

The hardware design and software are covered under the GNU General Public License.

Warranty:

None.

Frequently Asked Questions:
 
Q:
 What’s this .047 FARAD capacitor??
A:
 You can get them many places, including memory capacitors at Jameco Electronics.


Q:
 What’s a Berg connector?
A:
 What’s a Kleenex? :-) The PC board side is sometimes called a “header”. The lights and buttons hooking to computer motherboards use them. The pins are .025” square, on .1” centers. The female end is composed of crimp terminals fit into a plastic housing. An example at Jameco.


Q:
 I saw a big version of this at a store but it was different. Have you seen it?
A:
 Yes, I’ve seen a lot of “persistence of vision” clocks in recent years. I made this one in 1996, so I think they all copied me :)


Q:
 My VCR head motor has lots of wires. Which ones do I use?
A:
 I didn’t use a head motor. I used a reel motor. It only has 2 wires and runs on DC.
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