POV (Persistance of Vision) Display

In this instructable, we are going to build a Persistence Of Vision device to display messages.

The underlying principle on which POV display works is that everything that we see around is retained in our brain for a very small fraction of about 1/16th second.

We make use of this illusion to trick our brain by blinking multiple LED's arranged in array and at the same time rotating in a circular fashion which results in letter formation.

Step 1: Components Required

You will need the following materials for making your own POV display

>LED(8 X RED)

>Arduino Nano

>1 LiPo cell ( 3.3V/5v )

>Jumper wires

>220 ohms resistor(x9)

>Perfboard

>Soldering iron and wire

>Breadboard

Step 2: Build TEST Circuit

Test circuit using breadboard is important because it will help you identify any problems in the circuit and rectify them before you proceed for final assembly.

1> Assemble LED's on breadboard as follows

-Cathode to GND power rail (blue rail)

-Anode to individual nodes

2> Connecting current limiting resistor

- Add 220 ohms resistor to anode of each resistor

3> Make connections with the Arduino Digital pins from the resistors connected in series with the LED's as follows

LED 2=>D2

LED 3=>D3

LED 4=>D4

LED 5=>D5

LED 6=>D6

LED 7=>D7

LED 8=>D8

LED 9=>D9

Step 3: Upload Sketch

Upload the sketch into the Arduino Nano using the Arduino IDE

Step 4: Test Run the Circuit

Upload the POV display sketch and run the test circuit.

Step 5: Make a Permanent Circuit

Fire up your soldering iron and turn your temporary circuit into a permanent circuit by soldering the following components onto a perfboard :

- Array of LED's

- Resistors and Arduino Nano.

Step 6: Mount and Rotate the Circuit

Mount the POV circuit on any rotating mechanism such as table fan, ceiling fan or build your own rotating shaft using DC motors.

I had made use of a ceiling fan so that I could adjust the speed of fan as the display gets formed at a particular speed of the fan blades.

Step 7: Watch Tutorial

I hope that you found this instructable on POV display using arduino Nano useful.

You can also watch the video on this project on my channel.

If you have any queries, feel free to discuss in comments.