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Spectral Clock - Propeller Clock

mb1988 390380 239

TL;DR

  • A Spectral Clock propeller clock uses a spinning LED rotor to display time.
  • An ATMEGA32 controls 32 blue SMD LEDs through four MBI5170 drivers, takes time from a DS1307 RTC over I2C, and uses an optoelectronic sync sensor.
  • The controller’s 32 KB flash supports multiple display modes.
  • An HDD motor with a PHILIPS TDA5140A driver spins the propeller; the motor winding’s triangle connection required an artificial center point and brush power.
  • A 15 mm plexiglass case keeps noise low at 50 revolutions per second, but the documentation still has flaws and was not yet fully released.
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  • #151 7800873
    Anonymous
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  • #152 7801133
    Scyzor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 46
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    Rate: 6
    This, unfortunately, did not change anything. I can add that this rift in the circle is not the same all the time. Sometimes it's bigger and sometimes it's smaller. It would appear that its size strictly depends on the rotational speed.
  • #153 7801215
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #154 7801284
    Scyzor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 46
    Help: 5
    Rate: 6
    As I wrote earlier, changing the prescaler from 64 to 8 means that nothing is displayed.

    RESOLUTION = 240

    At slower speeds, the gap is larger, but also to a certain extent. It gets bigger and suddenly the whole circle is displayed, but when I keep slowing down the speed, the slit arises again and again over and over again. It is similar on the other side, we accelerate the rotation, the slit becomes smaller, then there is a whole circle and again the slit.

    Unfortunately, I do not have much influence on the speed of the motor, and I do slow down or accelerate mechanically.

    I would also like to add that sometimes this crack appears and disappears a few (a dozen) times per second, which gives the effect that the whole image jumps.
  • #155 7810062
    R_On_!
    Level 11  
    Posts: 33
    Rate: 1
    To the creator: This disk motor of yours had 3 or 4 pins?
    I have a disk with 4 outputs, did you leave one pin coming from the disk in the "air"?
  • #156 7813790
    Scyzor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 46
    Help: 5
    Rate: 6
    R_On_! wrote:
    I have a disk with 4 outputs, did you leave one pin coming from the disk in the "air"?


    It is true that I am not the author of the project, but maybe a colleague will help this information.

    For me, the drive also has 4 pins and I left them unconnected, but nothing prevents you from connecting the 4th motor output to the MOT0 (17) terminals in the TDA5140 system. If the 4th output is connected, then the 10k resistors should be removed.
  • #157 7822968
    R_On_!
    Level 11  
    Posts: 33
    Rate: 1
    In fact, I am trying to design a driver for such a motor (BLDC) with speed control on MOSFET transistors. I dug to the specification of this engine (NIDEC) 4 pin is marked as COMMON and I connected it to the ground, otherwise the engine does not spin. now I'm trying to write the correct prock batch. So far, the revolutions of this motor are smooth, but not very fast, about 15 rpm. (ATMEGA 16 + 3 x 2 IRF840)
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  • #158 7972588
    Engel-88888
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    how to set time and date
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  • #159 7978890
    Scyzor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 46
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    It was on the front page of the topic.

    mb1988 wrote:


    The time is set by software. It looks like:
    1) I upload a program in which the time is set, for example, to 12:00
    2) I turn on the watch at 12:00
    3) including, I upload a new program that does not set the time anymore.

  • #160 7985488
    cristy88
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hi,

    Can you please tell me what program must i use to open the DDB files in the first post? (BLCD Driver.ddb, PropClock_v2.Ddb )

    Thanks!
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  • #161 7985863
    Engel-88888
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    opens these projects "Altium Designer Summer 09" or "Protel DXP2004"
  • #162 8136265
    calves
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hi!
    I'm brazilian and can't understand polish. Someone can send me the schematic in english.
  • #163 8138226
    meodenxiii88
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Can you tell me what program must i use to convert "YOUTUBE"?
  • #164 8227192
    komar54
    Level 11  
    Posts: 29
    I have this question, maybe a bit different. Can this TDA5140A chip control engine speed from hdd?
  • #165 8362048
    matys4877
    Level 12  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 26
    I was looking for a TDA5140 in tme but they apparently don't sell it anymore. Does anyone know any replacement available at tme?
  • #166 8367898
    Scyzor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 46
    Help: 5
    Rate: 6
    It can be tough with a replacement, but here they have it: Link only the price is high.
  • #167 8761129
    krion
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Hello,

    I need help, I can not install the program (protel99) to open the files provided by the developer why I think there is incompatibility as I am using windows 7 then someone can give me this file in the eagle I can help you solve this problem.

    thanks
    :D
  • #168 8764143
    mateo238
    Level 10  
    Posts: 39
    What is the task of the MBI5170 chip ?? Is it possible to make a spectral clock without the use of a shift register, such as chip MBI5170 ??
  • #169 8765520
    BaLYoZz
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    problem but a little old! Can I get a bill of materials if possible please
  • #170 8771324
    djmalder
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Dobriy den. Ya z Ukrainy. Zrobiv godynnyk yak tut napysano, ale koly zapuskayu, to atmega zaproshue tilky odin raz dani v DS1307. Godinnik pracyue ale chas ne ide. Moje ya ne virno postaviv fuze v atmega? Dopomojit:!:
  • #171 8915675
    krion
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    I have a problem, someone can explain to me that MBI5170 serves every equivalent component, does anyone know how much?
  • #172 8915902
    norbis15
    Level 14  
    Posts: 237
    Help: 1
    Rate: 91
    djmalder try to write your post in english though, maybe we can help.
    djmalder try to write your post in english, meybe we can help.
  • #173 8928602
    yetihehe
    Level 13  
    Posts: 75
    Help: 1
    Rate: 9
    MBI5170 is a diode driver, it allows you to control the current diodes. Thanks to this, you do not need to provide resistors for each diode.
  • #174 8971348
    ananthmax
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hi

    Your project is incredible!
    I have experience in only PIC MCU. Do you have schematic and source code for PIC based propeller clock.

    Thanks in advance
    Ananth
  • #175 8995446
    mateuszrjzr
    Level 17  
    Posts: 297
    Rate: 34
    Hello
    please do not be angry with me, but why are there two hex files, and how should I open pcb? I have an eagle if that helps
  • #176 9007183
    norbis15
    Level 14  
    Posts: 237
    Help: 1
    Rate: 91
    Try Protel99
  • #177 9015023
    Moyshaa
    Level 14  
    Posts: 75
    Help: 8
    Rate: 4
    I have a question for the author. I hope he remembers and keeps checking back :) .

    It uses 2 voltages to power the engine from HDD. V_LOGIC which stabilizes at 5V and V_MOT which it is not known what it is. My question: what is the voltage?
  • #178 9031007
    mlassota
    Level 18  
    Posts: 372
    Help: 11
    Rate: 85
    V_MOT must be selected experimentally - its change causes the engine revs to change - they have to be selected in such a way that: revolutions are large enough for the image to be stable and at the same time low enough to make the noise bearable.
    Regards
  • #179 9075908
    Moyshaa
    Level 14  
    Posts: 75
    Help: 8
    Rate: 4
    Thanks for the hint. I made a driver for such an engine and connected it to it.

    I still have a request. If that's not a problem, give me a hint. These are my symptoms:

    The speed it gets is 3Hz and it is quite unstable (it happens that the motor jerks). And for him to start filming, I have to help him. (Set in motion by hand.)
    I supply the engine and TDA with 5V.
    I have capacitors like from the datasheet, except for CAP-CD and CAP-DC (I have 22nF).

    The same motor with electronics from the hard drive is spinning like crazy.

    What do you think? Experiment with power?
  • #180 9079641
    mlassota
    Level 18  
    Posts: 372
    Help: 11
    Rate: 85
    Don't do anything with the power supply!
    Most likely you have a badly connected motor. Does the motor have 4 tips?
    If so, use an ohmmeter to check the resistance between the ends of the end with the lowest resistance, leave it unconnected - this is the center of the star. There will be 3 ends with a resistance of about 2 ? to each other. Is the TDA not warming up?
    Does the power supply have sufficient current capacity - up to 1A at startup
    Option 2 something wrongly connected in the controller - check the places where the capacitors are connected.
    Option 3 kicked TDA
    I already have a few drivers on this TDA and they run on about 5-6V each getting about 50-60 rpm
    Regards
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the design and implementation of a spectral clock using a propeller mechanism. The project utilizes an ATMEGA32 microcontroller to control 32 blue SMD LEDs via MBI5170 LED drivers, with timekeeping managed by a DS1307 RTC. Participants share insights on motor control, programming in C, and the challenges of achieving precise synchronization for the display. Various users inquire about the specifics of the circuit, including the use of different LED drivers, the programming process, and the durability of components. Suggestions for improvements, such as using a coreless transformer for power and implementing IR communication for time setting, are also discussed. The community expresses interest in obtaining schematics, PCB layouts, and a bill of materials for the project.
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FAQ

TL;DR: One Propeller-Clock rotor spins 50 rps (≈3 000 rpm) while an ATmega32 drives 32 LEDs; “in spectral clocks the issue of software … can make a difference” [Elektroda, Twizzter, post #4815839] Size, speed and code tweaks decide image quality. Why it matters: these tips prevent the common “00:00:80” bug and burnt HDD motors.

Quick Facts

• Rotor speed: 45-55 rps recommended to avoid flicker [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4814890] • Power draw: 5 V / 250 mA (motor), 12 V / 80 mA (LEDs) [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4816959] • LED count: 32 SMD on radius = 63 pixels diameter [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4815891] • Motor driver: Philips TDA5140A; drop-in LB1688 works with minor tuning [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4815034] • Typical build cost: PLN 50–60 for electronics; case from scrap plexi [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4816863]

How do I wire and start an HDD spindle motor for a propeller clock?

Use a three-phase BLDC driver such as TDA5140A in the page-9 reference design; tie the three windings to MOT1-MOT3 and create an artificial center if the drive is delta-connected [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4815034] Feed 5–6 V to VLOGIC and 5–12 V to VMOT while monitoring temperature.

Why does my DS1307 show 00:00:80 instead of real time?

Bit 7 of the seconds register (CH) is still high; the oscillator is halted. Clear CH once, then save time. Many builders forget the pull-up on SQW, causing the same symptom [Elektroda, mb1988, post #7122854]

What fuse settings are needed on the ATmega32?

Enable external 16 MHz crystal, start-up 16K CK+65 ms, CKOPT unprogrammed. Leave JTAGEN off to free PORT C pins. Wrong fuses keep INT0 from firing and the display stays blank [Elektroda, hetm4n, post #12007461]

How can I balance the spinning PCB without special tools?

Screw the board firmly to the motor hub, then eyeball component placement symmetrically. If vibration persists, add small blobs of epoxy opposite heavy parts until the wobble stops [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4815891]

What’s the simplest way to set or change time?

  1. Compile firmware with the desired compile-time constant (e.g., 12:00). 2. Flash it exactly at that wall-clock moment. 3. Immediately flash the normal firmware that leaves RTC untouched. This two-step trick was used by the original author [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4817605]

Can I replace the 8-bit MBI5170 LED drivers?

Yes. Any constant-current shift register (e.g., STP08DP05, 74HC595 + resistors) works if you adjust SPI width in code. One builder ran three ST16CP05 without issues [Elektroda, Scyzor, post #7800620]

My image drifts; how do I sync display to speed?

Reset TIMER1 on each opto-interrupt, divide the measured period by 240, load that into TIMER0; update LEDs in the TIMER0 ISR. If drift persists, lower the prescaler so division error stays <0.5 µs [Elektroda, mb1988, post #4815891]

What causes a missing wedge or duplicate sector in the graphics?

Integer rounding of TCNT1/RESOLUTION leaves residue; the wedge shifts with RPM. Use 32-bit math or accumulate fractional ticks (phase accumulator) to eliminate the gap [Elektroda, Pawełmatrix, post #4820097]

How do I convert bitmaps or GIF frames to the 960-byte frame table?

Crop a 63 × 63 monochrome bitmap, iterate every 1.5°, sample radius 0-31, and store four bytes per ray (240 steps × 4 = 960 bytes). Community GUI converters are shared in the thread [Elektroda, boxochi, post #17138028]

What’s a safe current for the SMD LEDs?

Set the MBI constant-current to 20–25 mA; with 50 rps the duty cycle is ~0.4 %, so average LED current stays below 100 µA, preventing thermal stress [MBI datasheet].

Edge case: my motor only starts if I spin it by hand—fixes?

Increase VMOT to 7–9 V, swap two phase wires, and check that CAP-CD/CAP-DC pins have the exact values (22 nF chosen wrong cuts starting torque) [Elektroda, Moyshaa, post #9075908]

Can I power the board contact-less to avoid worn brushes?

Yes. Wind a 3-turn primary under the plexi base and a 6-turn secondary on the rotor; resonate near 35 kHz. Keep coils 5 mm above the aluminum hub to curb eddy-current heating [Elektroda, mlassota, post #7122363]

Step-by-step: flashing firmware and storing graphics

  1. Flash boot HEX with CH cleared. 2. Flash main HEX. 3. Use the provided PC tool to convert BMP/GIF to EEPROM HEX, then flash EEPROM. Done.

What’s the expected lifetime of the brushes?

Copper ring runs for 1–2 years at 50 rps before visible wear; lowering speed to 25 rps triples life, according to a 10-year user report [Elektroda, hetm4n, post #19746865]
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