I expected seconds arrow to move much more smoothly than in the video
is 10Hz control just too slow?
A nicer voltmeter clock
11–20 of 53 posts
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#12So sexy! I could probably build the electronics easily enough, but such projects need workworking tools I just don't have room for in my tiny flat. (nor would the missus be pleased for me to buy them - but that's another matter)
If there's a makerspace or hackerspace near you, they might have a CNC router. Apart from (I believe) the front panel being a two-sided job, this is pretty straightforward and could be done entirely on a Shopbot or equivalent. Worst case you might need to learn FreeCAD and buy some collets ($10-$50) and bits (~$50-$75 if you're getting two). Best case, they have software and tooling you can use.
Source: am a furniture maker professionally. Have worked out of a makerspace, and have done equivalently complex projects on their Shopbot.
Edited to add: if you skip the rabbets around the gauges on the front panel, you can make that a single-sided CNC job, which makes it much easier. With some care, you could do those with a handheld router and a rabbetting bit.
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#13I always enjoy projects like this. Both because the are artistically neat and because the give me all sorts of ideas.
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#14This is gorgeous. I really need to hunker down and learn 3d modeling. It unlocks so many options from cnc to 3d printing.
tinkercad
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#15I always enjoy projects like this. Both because the are artistically neat and because the give me all sorts of ideas.
It's certainly nice to see the nice woodworking in combination with a simple elegant design.
Ways to keep more than one brain center active!
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#16This is beautiful, and I like it a lot, but I was slightly disappointed to find that they do not function by increasing the voltage as the day goes on. But then I remembered that that's how pins work. It IS measuring voltage!
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#17[flagged]
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#18So sexy! I could probably build the electronics easily enough, but such projects need workworking tools I just don't have room for in my tiny flat. (nor would the missus be pleased for me to buy them - but that's another matter)
You should check your local libraries too. Some have all kinds of crazy tools you can borrow or use on-site.
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#19Very nice!
I skimmed TFA, came back here to ask for the obligatory 11:59:59 rollover, but then went back and found it.
Re: A nicer voltmeter clock
#20This is beautiful, and I like it a lot, but I was slightly disappointed to find that they do not function by increasing the voltage as the day goes on. But then I remembered that that's how pins work. It IS measuring voltage!
Transistors are much more efficient full on or full off. So for the most part for transistor based voltage control they pulse the transistors with a duty cycle equivalent to the voltage needed and integrate it with capacitors, keep the pulse on 25% of the time you have 25% of the voltage sort of thing. Thus the acronym PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
Note that transistors can be controlled to directly regulate the voltage. This will draw much more power than pulsing them.
It is also kind of neat how voltage is measured. Probably day one stuff in EE school but I thought it was interesting. Meters like the one in the article are sort of obvious. pull a spring with an electromagnet and see how far it gets. but how is voltage read electronically. The answer is capacitors. you time how fast a capacitor charges.