Ready-built module of the UltiProp Clock, as featured in Elektor Magazine December 2013 & Jan/Feb 2014 editions.
The transformer has to be constructed prior to use. A construction description is available from this page. A suitable fan and enameled copper wire are included.
This propellor clock uses the principle of persistence of view (POV) to display time, date and temperature and will wow every spectator, but it is not for the faint of heart. The circuit builds around two ATmega328's, one for the main board, one for the propellor board. An IR link between the two boards is maintained over the full 360 degrees of rotation, while the angular position is registered by two phototransistors located at the end of each blade.
Though this ready-built module simplifies the construction of this project a lot, the transformer still has to be wound and final assembly can only take place after finishing the transformer.
All the details can be found in the two part descriptive articles, available from www.elektor-magazine.com/120732and www.elektor-magazine.com/130389.
