The 'One Chip Spinning RGB POV Display' with conversion software.

If you have been on the look out for a project that combines, RGB LED's, a motor, a microcontroller and a ridiculous amount of hot melt glue, then you have certainly come to the right place.

Allow me to introduce the 'One Chip' Spinning RGB POV Display

This project allows you to create (with minimal components) a fantastic customizable display capable of displaying graphics, animations and text. You can scroll your graphics from top to bottom or use it as a scrolling message display, scrolling from right to left.

The project uses just one chip, eight RGB LED's and a handful of other components to paint animations in 'mid-air!' Plus, together with the included graphic conversion software (download link in step 2) you can easily create your own animations because the software creates all the code for you.

So please, read on and enjoy!

Step 1: Get your required parts and tools.

Before we set out on this venture, you will need both the components and tools.

Parts List:
1x PIC 18f4680 microcontroller
1 x 40 pin IC socket (optional - to house the microcontroller)
8 x Common cathode RGB LED's
24 x 100 ohm resistors (any wattage)
1 x 0.1 uF capacitor (optional)
2 x 100 uF capacitors
1 x 7805 (5 Volt Regulator)
2 x 10k ohm resistors
1 x hall effect sensor / hall effect switch
1 x 5 pin header (to plug in the pickit2 programmer)
1 x small rare earth magnet (to be used with the sensor)
1 x screw in type mains wiring terminator (See last photo - you get these from a hardware store)
1 x 12v motor
1 x motor (any motor that you can destroy for parts - I.E. the graphite brushes)
1 x 12v powersupply (for the motor)
1 x 7.5 volt power supply (for the POV display - can be upto about 18v)
1 x (5.5cm x 5.5cm blank pcb - aka blank copper clad) - this will be used to transfer power to the display
Holt Melt Glue Sticks
Solder
Veroboard / experimenters board
Thin enamel wire (see pic)
Standard single core wire (Like they use in network cable)

Tools:
- Soldering Iron
- Screw Driver
- hot melt glue gun
- Stanley knife
- side cutters
- pliers
- pickit2 programmer
- desoldering tool (solder sucker or solder braid - just in case!)
- computer running windows
- swordfish basic compiler (this is a free download - it compiles the code for the microcontroller)
- POV Image Converter (Software that I have made, download link is included in the instructable)

Now that you have all of that, let's get into the construction.

Comments

[shudson7]

Ok here is the link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy-B4y_bI1k i'm using it as the display part of a class project in an intro to engineering course. The display reads "UCO ALERT SCOUT WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVE" took some playing around with paint and 8 bit artistry lol.. But eh.. not bad!

[shudson7]

By the way.. Enjoyed the philippians comment in the code brother.

[shudson7]

It's working! All be it not exactly at its best but well enough to add to my project due tomorrow.. I'll perfect the balancing etc after that :)

[shudson7]

(removed by author or community request)

[shudson7]

Thank you for the quick replies. You have been a great help and this particular project has brought more understanding to me than my labs in class. Now that I am learning how to properly read the schematic it's getting a little easier. I'm excited to see if it works! Thanks again my friend!

[shudson7]

Please ignore my question about the pickit 2! I have read all the previous questions and got it figured out.. BUT I do have one major question. I'm confused how the voltage regulator fits in? On the schematic I'm not seeing it tied it..

1. Does the "In" pin take in voltage directly from the power supply and the "out" then go to all the VCC? and
2. Does the board need to be cut between each pin? It looks like on the schematic that it does NOT need to be cut between each pin that the middle ground somehow makes sure the higher voltage doesn't pass to the otherside?

Please help! I think I may have the rest figured out for now. Got one more week before I have to tie it into the rest of my project and present! You're awesome thanks!!

[bradsprojects]

Hi in answer to your questions:
1) the IN pin connects directly to the +ve connection of the power supply coming in. The GND pin goes to the -ve connection of the power supply coming in. You then have 5v coming out which becomes your Vcc connection. Ground is common to both input and output.

2) the veroboard I have used (otherwise known as strip board) has tracks connected in rows but each track is not connected to the other. so you just need to make sure that you cut the tracks so that the top and bottom legs of the microcontroller aren't touching each other. and also that each side of the resistor aren't touching each other. Have a good look at the progressive photo's to see where the cuts are. Hope it all comes together for you nicely!

[msolangi]

Hey! The software doesnt seem to work .. I did copy the povdata folder into the c drive ... but still it hangs after I click 'Get code' ... BTW thanks for such a great Project!

[shudson7]

Sorry for posting a lot. But I was hoping you could tell me what RPM the motor needs to be capable of reaching?

[bradsprojects]

The RPM of the motor is not so important (I.e. pretty much any motor can handle speeds in the 1,000's of RPM) this project only requires around 25 - 30 RPM to get a good image. What is important is that it can handle the load attached to it. I just bought a 12V motor which was around $10 and it had plenty of torque to handle my project.

[shudson7]

Thank you. I'm going to build this and integrate it into a project I'm doing for my college engineering course. I originally was going to use a single stationary display, but this will add 'awe' :) I'm a total novice though so hopefully I can pull it off. I'll post a video once we're done with the whole thing! **** Sorry it is not allowing me to post as a reply.. Its asking for the captcha but not displaying one..? Anyway I will post my project.. Wish me luck!

[shudson7]

On the 100 uF capacitors Does the voltage matter whether 25 or 100 etc? Or will any type 100uF work?

[bradsprojects]

Either of those voltage ratings will work. You just want to make sure you use a value that is higher than the voltage you are working with. E.G. if you're working with 5v then you would get caps that are rated at maybe 16v etc...

[laygond]

Pleeeeeeaassseeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please!!!! could someone send me the pdf version of this... I already bought the materials.... I just want to print the pdf PLEASEEE!!!!! my e-mail is [e-mail] THANK YOU!!!!

[denulrix]

Hi, I love to built this project but I don't know how I have to connect the header :(
I can't find it in your schematic (I'm quite new in electronics) plz help :)

Thanks

[leinahtan]

Hi there BRAD, i am from the philippines, and building this instructables for my wife. I already did the whole thing although using 18f4620. but i am having problems looking for the hall sensor. I dismantled one part from those PC blower fan, with 6125 written on it, found the data sheet for the right pin out, used it on the POV but in vain. when it passes the magnet the led stay off permanently.

QUESTION: what can be an alternative replacement for a hall sensor, (very difficult to purchase it from my country)

2. How to balanced the whole thing, MINE keeps vibrating as if there's an earthquake a top on my table?

3.If i finally make it work 100%, can i repost the whole thing of course linking to your site to my own BLOG.

and

4. thank you very much for this wonderful creation.

[bradsprojects]

You could use an infrared led and photo-diode instead. The photo diode would be the sensor (which is attached to the spinning board) and the LED would be on the main base of the unit. As it spins, the photo diode will pass by the LED and that would send a logic 1 to the microcontroller to tell it to draw the graphics.

It is hard to balance, I just tied some string the the center of it and hung it upside down. I then applied some hot melt glue to it until it was balancing perfectly :)

You can feel free to post it anywhere you like!

[leinahtan]

thank you..after hours of looking for that hall sensor, i finally make it work, using another PC fan sensor with 276 written on it. its a dual hall effect just tied the other out to ground and VOILA!!!..it works.first tried to burn the original scroll text via your software..it scroll the right text...but then when i tried to put other colored text and convert it, the text output are not that clear, i mean the letters are somewhat incomplete sometime at the top others at the bottom...was it the software or the image being converted..

I have practically no idea how you made the original text on the POV software "instructables and spark fun present microcontroller project" image..

what other software possible to use for the scroll right to left...

thanks in advance

[kalsara01]

can i do the same thing with pic16f877. if so can i use the same software and schematic?

[bradsprojects]

Unfortunately you wouldn't be able to use the software that I have made here.

My software will output code that is designed for Swordfish basic (which only supports 18f microcontrollers)

[dubai]

Hi Brad
i love what you made and i trying to make one the same.
I faced a problem with POV converter software it hangs when i try to convert to hex.
Kindly guide if there is another software to do the same job.

[eam127]

Let me rephrase that, all gnds are connected, and all the vcc are connected? Right? I cant tell on the soldering job pic or the schematic since it doesn't say if they should be. THey should.. right?

Oh i looked at the microchip data sheet and found the pins matched with your schematic :)

THank you so much you have helped me a bunch, you really don't know how much you are helping.

[bradsprojects]

Yep, everywhere you see a GND, they will all connect to each other (and to ground of the power supply). Everywhere you see VCC they will all connect together (and to the +ve of the power supply.)

Glad I could help :)

[eam127]

So if all my gnd and vcc connections are connected it does't matter if i arrange in my own way on the circuit board? Also i want to make sure for the 5 pin header, only two pins are being sent info(gnd aand vcc) right? WHat are the other three pins for then?
Thank you so much :)

[bradsprojects]

You can arrange it how ever you like, just as long as they are connected correctly. You do need the other three pins (there are actually 6 pins on the pickit2 but the AUX pin is not used) However the other 3 (VPP, PGD and PGC) are required to program the code onto the microcontroller. These connect to the pins of the same name on the microcontroller.

[7654321]

Is there a way to modify this to work with my common anode RGB LEDs? And what is a hall effect sensor? This is definitely gonna be my next project... Thanks for posting

[bradsprojects]

All you need to do to get it to work with common anode LED's is to connect the anodes to Vcc (instead of ground as per the instructable)

Then, I will modify the included software so that the user can select between common anode or common cathode LED's

All I need to do is modify the code so that it inverts the data just before sending to the LED's

As for the hall effect sensor - it is a simple little device that switches from a high to a low state on the output when it senses magnetism. I use it so that the display will always start drawing each frame from exactly the same location each time. I.E. it will start drawing when the hall effect sensor passes over the magnet.

[jerome11]

hey !! could you please tell me how to invert the output of the microcontroler before sending it to common anode rgb led's....

[bradsprojects]

you just need to add xor %11111111 after the data out lines of code.

Just check the image for details.

When you XOR a binary number with a logic 1, it inverts that digit. since there are eight binary digit per byte that we wend out, we need to invert all eight.

[eam127]

Sorry to keep asking questions but..

I get how this project works except i have come down to two problems. First the hall effect sensor you have shown has 4 pins and most have three, is that going to be a problem if i get one with three like the link below? I noticed it just doesn't have the enoble part, is that a problem?

http://www.taydaelectronics.com/a1302-continuous-time-ratiometric-linear-hall-effect-sensor-ic.html

Also, I can't find this terminator anywhere near locally, or online. I know i have asked about this already but is it possible you could mail it to me and i could pay. That is if you have access to them. I have looked at other options such as couplings, could these work?
Thx so much

[bradsprojects]

you should be fine to use one with three pins - I think that I just permanently leave mine enabled anyway. As for the terminator - I found this one on the lowes website - should do the job nicely:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_36523-12704-770144L_4294722554__?productId=3128701&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

[edagostino]

hello to all very good just what I was looking for a long time. I get the 18f4685 is the same but with more memory? genius thousand thanks

hola ante todo muy bueno ¡¡ es justo lo que estuve buscando durante mucho tiempo. yo consigo el 18f4685 es igual pero con mas memoria no? genio mil gracias

[zee1159]

Hi Brad,
I have built the model but facing some problems,

1. whatever the image i give it is displaying as mirror images !
2.text scrolling is from left to right.
3.Scrolling of text is very slow , even when i set animation speed to 1

Also which motor u have used ??? what is its rpm ???

Please help !!!

[bradsprojects]

Sorry for the late reply.

1. Your motor is spinning backwards
2. Your motor is spinning backwards
3. To speed it up (faster than animation speed 1) you will need to run the microcontroller at a faster clock speed) At the moment I am only running it at 8Mhz - if you changed the code slightly so that it ran at 32Mhz, it would scroll four times as fast.

[eam127]

Hi Brad

where do you find this screw terminator thing? It is just used to connect to the shaft of the motor right? I seriously can't find it anywhere, a link would be appreciated.
thx :)

[bradsprojects]

You can buy them from hardware stores - To be honest I am not sure exactly what they are called but you use them when wiring up electrical wiring in a house.

If you go to a hardware store and look in the electrical section (with all the wiring, light switches, mains sockets etc...) you should be able to find them their.

Or, print out the image of one on my instructable and show it to a worker at the hardware.

You're right, I used it to connect the shaft of the motor to the PCB.

Hope that helps.

[Dinozzo]

Hello, I'm a complete newbie but I really want to build this.
Is the microcontroller PIC18F4680-E/P, PIC18F4680-H/P or PIC18F4680-I/P
Can you please post a link where I can buy the chip and programmer?
I want to buy the right tools :) Thank you very much.

[bradsprojects]

Hi, check out this link:

http://www.microchipdirect.com/productdetails.aspx?mid=10&catalog=buymicrochip&category=PIC18F4680

You just need to make sure you get a PDIP version (which is the big one I have used)

You can get the pickit 2 programmer here: This programmer does pretty much any pic microcontroller.

http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?keywords=PG164120

[Dinozzo]

Thank you very much for your answer!

[siddarthapn]

can i get the complete circuit diagram of the
"The 'One Chip Spinning RGB POV Display' with conversion software." given in your site
m trying this project so pls do help