We feature a lot of clock builds on HaD, and the reason is that they are cool. Even simple ones are cool. Not everyone can say they built a clock. [Chris] took a ride on the DIY Clock train and came up with this LED-based clock that is controlled by an ATtiny84 chip.
The clock has 24 LEDs total, 1 for each hour and 1 for every 5 minute increment. The 24 LEDs are arranged in 2 concentric rings. To display the hour, both LEDs at the same angle are lit up. To show the minutes, just the inner LED is lit. The main image above shows 6:40.
If you are familiar with the ATtiny84 you know that it only has 12 in/out pins, which is significantly less than the amount of LEDs that need controlling. [Chris] decided to use some 74HC595 shift registers to increase the IO pins on the ATtiny. The entire build is installed on a protoboard with quite a bit of point-to-point wiring. A simple tinted plastic case finishes the project and gives it a modern look.
[Chris] made the code for his clock available in case any readers are interested in making one.
You can actually get pretty lost thinking about clocks and time…Especially when thinking about a “clock signal” and where the original control comes from.
Is it IP68? What happens when you submerge this clock in urine?
Charlieplexing, FTW?
No, Spaghetti Monster inside
Charlieplexing lets you control n*(n-1) LEDs with n inputs without using a serial to parallel converter. http://www.instructables.com/id/Controlling-20-Leds-from-5-Arduino-pins-using-Cha/
I like the case made from sheet plastic. I’m curious what the specs are for it – hdpe?
For a minimalist digital clock, I was impressed by this design:
http://www.simpleavr.com/msp430-projects/3p4w-clock
I would have made two leds represent minutes (like a long hand) and one inner led represent the hour (like a short hand). Nice touch with the tinted plastic on the front.
It’s not full-featured, it has no buttons to set it.. but it’s way better than my clock, because I haven’t built it yet.
Excellent work, I am inspired to finish more projects even if they don’t have the feature set I dream of.