Introduction: 8 LED POV Using Arduino Nano

By Blog

Hi All,

I helped my son to make the 8 LED POV for his school project. In doing so I was able to introduce him to

  • Soldering
  • Testing electronic components
  • Arduino coding

This is a beginner's level project.. that one can start with or introduce, to your kids.

Please try it and share your feedback and comments


Information on POV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_of_vision


Supplies

  • Universal PCB
  • Arduino Nano or clone
  • Green 5 mm LEDs - 8
  • 100 OHm registers - 8
  • Copper wire for jumpers
  • 9V battery holder with switch
  • 9V battery
  • Female header pins
  • Wooden stick
  • Double side tape
  • Multimeter
  • Solder iron
  • Paper tape

Step 1: Circuit

  • We are using 8 Pins (D2 to D9) from Arduino Nano
  • Cathode from all LEDs are connected to GND
  • We are using 100 ohms resistor to limit current
  • If you are using RED LEDs instead of Green, the resistor value should be 220 ohms
  • 9V battery is connected to VCC and GND Pins (we will use Arrduino's internal voltage regulator)

Step 2: Testing Each Component

  • Before we start soldering, we must test each component
  • To test LEDs, we will use a 3v coin battery and test each LED
  • To test the resistor, use a multimeter, Set it to measure "resistance"
  • The multimeter should read values close to 100 ohms

Step 3: Soldering LEDs

  • Place 8 LEDs on the PCB, with its cathode towards the edge
  • Bend all cathode and place a (non-enameled) copper wire below it
  • Use Paper tape to hold them in place, while soldering
  • Do not solder Anode.
  • If a LED is not in alignment, adjust now by resoldering that specific LED

Step 4: Soldering Resisters

  • Place 100 OHM resistors adjacent to LED's anode
  • Solder only LEDs Anode and resitor.

Step 5: Soldering Other Components

  • Add the female header pins and solder with the other end of the resistor
  • Solder a copper jumper wire, connecting the common cathode of LEDs to the GND pin of Arduino nano
  • Solder +ve and -ve wire from the battery holder to VCC and GND (respectively) pins of the Arduino nano

Step 6: Finishing

  • To demonstrate the effect of POV, we need to swing the circuit fast
  • For this, we need to stick the circuit on a wooden stick
  • You can use double side tape or hot glue gun for this

Step 7: Coding


Please share your comments and suggestions