Description
| Proudly featured on the cover of the March 2018 issue of Nuts and Volts magazine! |
Analog Style LED Clock
The Analog Style LED Clock uses 180 LEDs to display the time, much like the hands of a traditional analog clock. The clock also features an alarm. An additional LED indicates the alarm status and another LED indicates PM. Four pushbuttons allow you to set the clock and alarm. The clock uses the 50 or 60 Hz from the electric utility to keep accurate time.
The clock has a total of 182 LEDs and a buzzer … all driven by just an 18-pin microcontroller! Plus the controller monitors the 4 pushbuttons and the 50 or 60 Hz line. No other logic, I/O or driving circuits are used. How is this possible? (Hint: check out the User’s Manual – download here.)
The Kit
The kit contains all the parts to build the clock, including printed PCB, programmed microcontroller and other components, solder, and frame. The frame has a built-in hanger so that it can be hung on a nail, screw or small hook. A full-color assembly, operation, and technical manual, complete with the theory of operation, schematics, and drawings can be downloaded here.
Tools required to assemble the clock include a soldering iron, wire clippers, multimeter, tweezers, and a #2 Philips screwdriver. Additional tools could come in handy as well — for example, eye loupe, solder sucker, or wire strippers. See the User’s Manual (download below) for more details.
A set of Arabic Numerals and a set of Roman Numerals are included. The Roman numeral set contains both IIII and IV for use as the number 4 — your choice which one to use. Some people like using IIII for better symmetry with VIII on the other side of the clock. Others feel that IV is more proper. A guide to assist in placing the numbers is also included.
Paint is optional and is not included. If you choose to paint the frame, you can use spray paint of your choice of color. See our Photo Gallery for other options and ideas.
Options
Frame and Number Set — If you have a 3D printer, you can print your own frame and number set, saving on the cost of the kit — select Not Included for this option. Files can be downloaded at Thingiverse.
AC Adaptor — The AC Adaptor included in the kit is for use in the United States and runs on 110VAC. If you are in a different country, you will either have to get an adaptor that converts your plug and voltage to the United States plug and voltage. Or you can get an AC Adaptor that will work in your country. The output needs to be between 9 and 12 volts AC. If the output is DC, the clock will not run as it needs the 50 or 60 Hz AC signal to keep time. If you source your own AC Adaptor, you can save on the cost of the kit by selecting Not Included for this option.
Pre-Assembled Circuit Board — All the components are through-hole and are easy to solder. But there are a lot of connections to be made! If you don’t want to solder the components to the board, select this option. Please allow an additional week for the clock to ship. Note that you will still need to glue the numbers to the frame and mount the circuit board, but this is pretty easy and should take about a half-hour to an hour (compared to 3 hours or more for the soldering).
Source Your Own Parts — Maybe you’d like to source your own parts and just buy the parts you can’t get or make yourself. You can buy just the customized parts: PC Board, Microcontroller, and/or Frame and Numbers here.
Downloads
See our downloads page to download the User Manual, Software, 3D Printer Files, and PCB Gerber Files.
This kit is RoHS compliant. All the parts in this kit, including the solder are RoHS compliant. If your location does not require RoHS compliance, you can use lead solder if you prefer.
walter.a.koziarz (verified owner) –
I found the kit to be complete, even including a generous number of spare LEDs. Assembly and operation were easy thanks to a well written and illustrated manual. I did miss one solder joint on a LED, but a quick reference to the manual confirmed my suspicion. A quick application of solder and all was well. The final product is eye appealing and very acceptably accurate.
gwshand (verified owner) –
The kit was complete and included spare parts. Only issues with soldering with the filter capacitor for the microprocessor and a string of solder left on one of the pushbuttons which would not allow the clock to be set. Troubleshooting section helped with that.
I am an international customer and by the time you factor in freight, taxes and currency conversion, this is NOT a cheap kit to buy.
The end product is nice and gets conversations going at the office.
mmitch071 –
I built two clocks, one with red for seconds, green for minutes, yellow for hours as instructed, another with green for seconds, yellow for minutes, and red for hours. You can swap the colors around any way you want.
The two kits went together easily, about three hours of work each.
To make assembly easier, the kit includes four long bolts that are used to make a temporary stand. Including the spare parts & temporary jigs really helps!