Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/Battery Chargers & Charging Circuits/DIY Digital Distance Measuring Wheel using Rotary Encoder

Intermediate

ARDUINO

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

DIY Digital Distance Measuring Wheel using Rotary Encoder

Build a portable digital distance measuring wheel using an Arduino Pro Mini and a rotary encoder to measure linear distance with millimeter-level accuracy.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

USB to UART/ESP8266 Adapter Programmer for ESP-01 WiFi Modules with CH340G Chip Rs. 99.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
0.96 Inch I2C/IIC 4pin OLED Display Module White Rs. 349.00
110 RPM Single Shaft BO Motor – Straight Rs. 99.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Arduino Pro Mini
Rotary Encoder
LiPo Battery
Battery Charger Module TP4056
Enclosure / Box / Case

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How It Works

The DIY Digital Distance Measuring Wheel calculates linear distance by translating the physical rotation of a 3D-printed wheel into digital pulses using a high pulses-per-revolution (PPR) rotary encoder. As the wheel rolls along a surface, the encoder shaft spins and generates quadrature signals that are read by the Arduino Pro Mini. The microcontroller continuously counts these pulses and multiplies the count by a calculated calibration factor corresponding to the circumference of the measuring wheel, converting rotational displacement into linear distance. A 0.96-inch SPI OLED display, driven by the Adafruit GFX and SSD1306 libraries, provides a real-time visual readout of the measured distance. The entire portable system is powered by a 700mAh Li-Po battery. Power flow is controlled via an SPST toggle switch, while a push-switch allows users to interact with the device, such as resetting the distance counter. To maintain power over time, a TP4056 module manages the safe recharging of the Li-Po battery when connected to a standard power source, and a USB to TTL module is used exclusively during the initial phase to upload code from the Arduino IDE to the Pro Mini board.

Why Build This

Quickly measure room dimensions, athletic fields, and construction layouts without wrestling with long, clumsy tape measures.

Apply classroom physics and math concepts—like wheel circumference, rotational speed, and pulse counting—to a real-world, handheld tool.

Gain hands-on experience assembling portable microcontroller hardware complete with a custom 3D-printed enclosure and a rechargeable lithium battery power system.

Real-World Application

Useful for rapidly measuring floor dimensions, property layouts, construction sites, athletic fields, and physical object perimeters without needing long tape measures.

Skills You'll Learn

Rotary encoder signal decoding

SPI communication

microcontroller programming

Li-Po battery power management

basic CAD enclosure integration

Safety Precautions

Ensure proper polarity when connecting the Li-Po battery and TP4056 charging module to prevent short circuits or battery damage.

Technology Tags

ARDUINO

ROTARY ENCODER

OLED DISPLAY

C++

3D PRINTING

INTERRUPTS

SPI

LI-PO BATTERY

TP4056

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the rotary encoder know how far the wheel has traveled?

The rotary encoder tracks every fraction of a revolution the wheel makes as it rolls. The Arduino Pro Mini counts these pulses and multiplies the total by the known physical circumference of your 3D-printed wheel to calculate the exact distance.

Why is a TP4056 module included in the circuit?

The TP4056 module is a dedicated lithium battery charging circuit. It safely regulates the voltage and current when you recharge the 700mAh Li-Po battery, protecting it from overcharging or short circuits.

Do I need the USB to TTL module plugged in all the time?

No. The USB to TTL module is only required temporarily to upload your Arduino code from your computer to the Arduino Pro Mini. Once the code is successfully programmed, you can disconnect it and run the device entirely off the battery.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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