Three's a crowd

Pendulums infuenced by magnetic attraction. Inspired by Mark Espar's "A Circle of Friends discuss James Clerk Maxwell"

When a pendulum is at rest, a hall senser causes a Picaxe microcontroller to trigger one of 3 coils around the senser.  Random on times and delays are used to keep the pendulums in motion and to change the patterns that are created. A white led inside each coil box indicates what coil turns on and how long it is activated.  Each pendulum will repel each other.  The coil polarity is attractive. Mosfets are used to turn on a coil and led in each coil box.

Side View     Each 120 degree section is independent and can be moved.



Top view. Showing vertical suspension.



Youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhyFdt1_l0k

PDF of the controller