RGB LED POV Globe - Parts shopping

I spent most of the last week doing research and ordering parts samples and testing equipment, trying to get everything set up for this project.

Things I have ordered.

• $75 USD - 100x Superflux "Piranha" RGB LEDs common-anode ($50 for the LEDs + 25 for shipping). From evilmadscience.com. Definitely not the cheapest place for RGB LEDs but they had the "Piranha" style ones that I wanted in a common-anode and had good reputation online. I selected the Piranha style LEDs after getting a great answer to my question. What makes a good RGB LED.
• $0 - Sample chips from Texas instruments. World class sales team, when I called them to talk about the particulars of their chips they offered to send me a few samples. 12hr later the chips where in my hand. Thank you Texas instruments. They also explained to me what a sink driver is and how it is used on these chips use.
  • 2x, TLC5947 - 24-Channel, 12-Bit PWM LED Driver with Internal Oscillator
  • 2x, TLC5952 - 24-Channel Constant-Current LED Driver with Global Brightness and LED Open Short Detection
  • 2x, TLC5951 - 24 Channel, 12Bit PWM LED Driver w/ 7Bit Dot Correction and 3-Group, 8Bit Global Brightness Control
• $33 USD - 1x, OctoBrite DEFILIPPI ($20 for the board and $13 for shipping). Got one for testing before I buy the rest of the boards. This is one of the most expensive parts of this project and if it doesn't work right it will be the most costly mistake.
• $40 CND - ~1750 RPM AC motor with 1/4 shaft. Found a junkyard and priced by its weight. Tested and it works great comes with a pulley as well. Going to do more extensive testing this weekend.

Things I still need to get

• A slip ring, I want to house the power supply in the base below the spinning right. But I need a way to transfer the power up the pole to the electronics and LEDs. You do this with a slip ring. I have contacted a few different distributer in Vancouver asking what they suggest. Waiting on a response. If all else fails I can alway make my own.
• Flange Mount with Bearing. I need a way to mount the main pole in to the box. I'm looking for a rather large one as the pole will have quite a lot of stress on it.
• A few pulleys. For the belt between the motor and the main pole.
• The main pole. I am looking for a hollow 6 foot pole with heavy walls. I plan to run wires up the center of the pole and distribute them across the spinning ring.
• A wooden box to house the motor, power supply and other electronics below the spinning ring.
• Micro-controller, Still deciding what one to use.
• Cables and connectors, I will decide this after I do testing on the OctoBrite boards.

 

RGB LED POV Globe

1. RGB LED POV Globe - Research
2. RGB LED POV Globe - Research LED
3. RGB LED POV Globe - Parts shopping
4. RGB LED POV Globe - Research other peoples projects.
5. RGB LED POV Globe - Software