Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
This project has been on want to do list for quite some time. I know most of the electromechanical moving clock projects end up using servo motors but they are too loud for the room I want to use this clock in. As luck would have it I found these very quiet unipolar 5V stepper motors for just ~$1.40 a piece, which for a full 4 digit 7 segment clock requiring 28 motors would cost ~$40 just for the motors. I can definitely work with that, so I snapped a bunch up along with darlington array drivers and some shift registers. My plan is to design a serial driver and build a single digit as a proof of concept before making the whole clock. First step though is figuring out how I'm going to home all these motors preferably without having a bunch of sensor switches ...
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I've posted a link for Ebay purchase referrals. If you use the link below then I get a small kickback from your purchase (it will cost you nothing, I just get paid for referring customers).
ebay.us/ez4e8u
Special thanks to Eric Skiff for freely providing the music used in this video off his album Resistor Anthems. His music can be found at ericskiff.com/music
My RGB Gameboy Backlight Controller is now available at http://www.roarkesretrocorner.com!!!
Use the code SJM (all caps) to receive 10% off of your order!
ICStation Affiliate Link: icstation.com/index.php?aid=212
Code: sjmics
Discount Amount: 15% off
Max Use: 1 (one for per user)
Amount Limit: 300
Consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/sjm4306
This project has been on want to do list for quite some time. I know most of the electromechanical moving clock projects end up using servo motors but they are too loud for the room I want to use this clock in. As luck would have it I found these very quiet unipolar 5V stepper motors for just ~$1.40 a piece, which for a full 4 digit 7 segment clock requiring 28 motors would cost ~$40 just for the motors. I can definitely work with that, so I snapped a bunch up along with darlington array drivers and some shift registers. My plan is to design a serial driver and build a single digit as a proof of concept before making the whole clock. First step though is figuring out how I'm going to home all these motors preferably without having a bunch of sensor switches ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've posted a link for Ebay purchase referrals. If you use the link below then I get a small kickback from your purchase (it will cost you nothing, I just get paid for referring customers).
ebay.us/ez4e8u
Special thanks to Eric Skiff for freely providing the music used in this video off his album Resistor Anthems. His music can be found at ericskiff.com/music
My RGB Gameboy Backlight Controller is now available at http://www.roarkesretrocorner.com!!!
Use the code SJM (all caps) to receive 10% off of your order!
ICStation Affiliate Link: icstation.com/index.php?aid=212
Code: sjmics
Discount Amount: 15% off
Max Use: 1 (one for per user)
Amount Limit: 300
Consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/sjm4306










