Make Your Own POV LED Globe

In this project I will show you how I combined a couple steel pieces with an Arduino, an APA102 LED Strip and a Hall effect sensor in order to create a POV (persistence of vision) RGB LED Globe. WIth it you can create all kinds of spherical pictures or even letters which is a definite eyecatcher. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you all information you need to recreate the project. In the next steps though I will present you some additional information to make it even easier.

Step 2: Order the Components!

Here you can find a parts list with example seller (affiliate links):

Aliexpress:

1x Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

1m x APA102 LED Strip (144 LED/m): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dV7LZhU

1x U18 Hall effect sensor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7c8hlG

1x LiPo Battery: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6Y0yGq

1x TP4056 Protect/Charge circuit: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX8n0hp

1x Boost Converter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7AJnzG

1x Ball Bearing: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXjVbC2

1x 12V 3000RPM DC Motor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUU9TJC

1x 8mm/5mm Adapter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTdCYt0

Ebay:

1x Arduino Nano: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1m x APA102 LED Strip (144 LED/m): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x U18 Hall effect sensor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x LiPo Battery: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x TP4056 Protect/Charge circuit: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Boost Converter: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Ball Bearing: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 12V 3000RPM DC Motor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 8mm/5mm Adapter: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/2w9b05H

1m x APA102 LED Strip (144 LED/m): http://amzn.to/2vi8hIa

1x U18 Hall effect sensor: http://amzn.to/2xDJydU

1x LiPo Battery: http://amzn.to/2xDkT9h

1x TP4056 Protect/Charge circuit: http://amzn.to/2xDyj5h

1x Boost Converter: http://amzn.to/2wfyaFV

1x Ball Bearing: http://amzn.to/2xDvEsn

1x 12V 3000RPM DC Motor: http://amzn.to/2wJvJ1e

1x 8mm/5mm Adapter: http://amzn.to/2wJgnd8

Home Improvement store:

1x 200x200x20mm Steel base plate

3x 40x500x4mm flat steel

M4, M5 bolts & nuts

8mm aluminum rod

Step 3: The Mechanical Build!

At this point you should create the mechanical part of the project. For that you can follow the guidelines from the video and use the 3D model or .stl file in order to print the circle and the cuboid.

Step 4: The Electrical Build!

Here you can find the schematic of the project. You can download it in a higher resolution if you left click on the image twice and select a resolution on the left. Here you can also download the example Arduino sketches that I created for this project.

Step 5: Success!

You did it! You just created your own POV LED Globe!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab
https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[fakibaj]

Hi Scot. What was the motor RPM that you went up to? Thanks

[Sidman723]

Great project. The code asks for a file "FastLED.h". Do you know where I can get this library file? Thank you in advance.

[Artuino]

Can you show me a picture of the globe assembly including the LED and its controls?thanks

[JeongminL1]

Does it can make a letter?

[Chasdai]

Hello! what was eventually the optimal voltage you applied on the DC motor?

[dannamo]

Hello sir thank u for sharing ur project it’s amazing and I always watch ur video
One q
Is it possible to make the earth pic and what do I need to convert the pic ? Thanks

[dannamo]

Hello sir thank u it’s amazinf project and thanks for sharing ur knowledge with us
One q plz
How if I wanna create pic with it like if I wanna make the earth pic
Do I need to convert the pic to BMP and download the code to arduino ?thank u sir

[mikerew]

Nice build and very good instructable. Very well explained. I wonder iif you could add some modelers clay to balance the thing, then weigh the clay and add permanent weights to the same area...

[starphire]

If the imbalance is due to the electronics at the center that would certainly help. Though for best stability, I would start with a sturdier frame design. Whether using steel, aluminum or even wood, using just flat stock without cross bracing or gussets will tend to be wobbly at any speed.

[kanouti]

This is a great project, with great instruction. Well done. What sort of wire do you normally use (size, covering). The PVC sheath on the wire that I use has a tendency to retract and melt.

[vishnumaiea]

Wow, this is truly an eye candy! <3

[TreyH17]

If I use a TP4056 I don't need the boost converter correct? All I'll need is a power source, the TP4056, the US1881 hall effect sensor and a nano right?

[GreatScottLab]

No. You need 5V. That is what the boost converter does.

[cbrown5]

One suggestion, you may want to note that in order to use the two sketches you have above, one needs to add the http://fastled.io/ library if they don't already have it in their Arduino IDE.

I definitely have to say though including the STLs is a big, huge, thumbs up! I want to print and make one myself.

[hammeringman]

A clever coder could create a simple representation of the earth, with a sun side and a night side. Programmed to "rotate" the image once ever 24 hrs, it would function as a very cool clock!

[kksjunior]

wow..! Great work man!

[VasilisS]

Amazing work man!!!!! Very creative!!!

[esilky]

Excellent project. Something fun, that's not too hard to build. It would be great if you included a completed photo with it standing still.

[AlF2]

Thank you, as usual, very creative and well described and documented project. Well done.

For you problem of rotating, instead of puting a second leg, you may equilibrate the wheel, as it is done for car wheels.

Thank you

[ken_jungles]

Not my sort of project but I was impressed with the thoroughness of your presentation and watched the entire video. Well done.