Project Description
Electrical Engineer Needed — Sundial-Inspired Rotating Light Clock
What I'm Building
A functional clock where a motorised arm rotates around a central post (gnomon) once every 12 hours. A small directional LED is mounted at the tip of the arm, pointing inward toward the gnomon. As the arm rotates, the light beam sweeps across a marked base dial, indicating the time — like a sundial but with light instead of the sun.
The aesthetic/mechanical housing is handled separately. I need someone to design and deliver the working electrical and electronic system.
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Scope of Work
1. Timekeeping & Motor Control**
- Accurate clock circuit (RTC module preferred, e.g. DS3231) to drive the rotation at the correct speed
- Stepper or gear motor selection and driving circuit for smooth, precise rotation (1 full rotation = 12 hours)
- Motor driver circuit/microcontroller programming (Arduino, ESP32, or similar)
2. Power Delivery to the Rotating Arm
- Design a reliable method to power the LED on the rotating arm without wires twisting — options include:
- Slip ring (preferred for simplicity)
- Inductive/wireless power transfer coil
- Specify components and provide wiring schematics
3. LED Circuit
- Select an appropriate low-voltage directional LED or spotlight module
- Design the LED driver circuit (current limiting, brightness control if needed)
- Ensure the light is focused enough to cast a clear beam/pool on the base
4. Power Supply**
- Design for mains-powered (adapter input) with clean, stable low-voltage DC output to all components
- Optional: battery backup consideration
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Deliverables
1. Full circuit schematics (KiCad, Eagle, or PDF)
2. Component bill of materials (BOM) with part numbers and sourcing links
3. Microcontroller code (well-commented)
4. Wiring diagram for assembly
5. Optionally: a bench-tested prototype or a video demonstrating the working mechanism
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Skills Required
- Electronics / electrical engineering
- Microcontroller programming (Arduino/ESP32 or equivalent)
- Experience with motor control (stepper motors preferred)
- Knowledge of slip rings or wireless power transfer
- PCB design is a plus but not mandatory
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Budget & Timeline
- Budget: Open to proposals
- Timeline: Schematics and BOM within 2–3 weeks; working prototype negotiable
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How to Apply
Please share:
- Relevant projects (motor control, rotating mechanisms, clock/timer circuits, or similar)
- Your proposed approach to powering the LED on the rotating arm
- Timeline and cost estimate
Note: A clear explanation of how you'd handle power delivery to the rotating arm is mandatory in your application — this is the core engineering challenge of the project.