There are several different designs of the word clock built with an Arduino Nano Every ot Nano ESP32.
The software of all clocks supports SK6812 and WS2812 LEDs, Bluetooth connection to control the clock or as backup a rotary encoder, an accurate DS3231 RTC and a LDR light intensity detector.
The Nano ESP32 designs supports a web page and WIFI / NTP time.
This page gives an overview and pros and cons of the possibilities.
With some spare RGB(W) LED-strip a Fibonnaci clock can be made.
This Fibonacci clock displays time with three colours and looks like a constantly changing painting from the Dutch painter Mondriaan.
The colourfull Fibonacci Mondriaan clocks are here for an ESP32-C3 and S3
or here for a Arduino Nano. with a 3D-printer design for the stick version.
And finally the latest designs for the Arduino Nano ESP32.
The first designsare are over 10 years in operation and have a clock face with a 11 x 11 character grid and has white 2835/3528 LED-strips, an ATMEGA328 and shift registers.
Later designs were made with WS2812 RGB and SK6812 RGBW LED strips and an Arduino Nano.
These clocks are 30 x 30 cm.
The four-language clock with a 25 x 25 character grid needed a 12 x 12 character grid for the French language.
The other single language character plates were redesigned and some words added.
These 12 x 12 character grid clocks use the Arduino Nano Every or a ATMEGA1280 chip with SK6812 or WS2812 LED-strips.
They have a standard size of 25 x 25 cm or 50 x 50 cm.
In 2023 the Arduino Nano ESP32 with onboard WIFI and BLE functionality became available. The latest designs use this microprocessor.
The software contains four languages; English, German, French and Dutch .
All clocks are designed on PCBs (Printed Circuit Board).
These PCBs are designed in Fritzing and available in a Fritzing design format and as Gerber file in a ZIP.
The zipped Gerber files can be uploaded to a company like my supporter PCBway that manufactures excellent PCBs with a good service.
The Fritzing files can be used as a template for your own design.
KiCad can also be used for creating electronic circuit schematics but there is unfortunately in 2024 still no translation between the two formats possible.
All designs communicate with a Bluetooth serial terminal on a phone or tablet but also possess a rotary encoder and DS3231 RTC time module to set the time and keep the time accurate to 20 seconds a year.
There are several built options for the word clock:
-
An ATMEGA328 chip with shift registers and white LEDs.
-
An Arduino Nano Every/ATMEGA1280 with WS2812 RGB or SK6812 RGBW LED-strips
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An Arduino Nano ESP32 with WS2812 RGB or SK6812 RGBW LED-strips
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An Arduino Nano ESP32 with shift registers and white LED-strips.
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A combination of all on one PCB the Ultimate Arduino Nano ESP32 with shift registers and white LEDs and with WS2812 RGB or SK6812 RGBW.
ATMEGA328 chip with shift registers and white LEDs.
Pro
Sturdy design that did not had one failure in 40 clocks for over 10 years.
Can run with DCF77 time receiver.
Cons
A lot of soldering. But a advantage if you like soldering.
No WIFI NTP time.
(
By replacing the Bluetooth adapter with a ESP32-C3 or S3 Bluetooth and WIFI NTP time can be added)
You have to translate the Dutch instructions to your own language or mail me.
Arduino Nano Every with WS2812 RGB or SK6812 RGBW LED-strips
Pro
Uses colour RGB(W) LED-strips
Solid design that did not had one failure in 40 clocks for over 5 years.
Easy to solder
Cons
No WIFI NTP time
(By
replacing the Bluetooth adapter with a ESP32-C3 or S3 Bluetooth and
WIFI NTP time can be added)
DCF77 only possible with receiver 10-15cm cm away from the RGB(W) LEDs.
The Arduino Nano ESP32 with WS2812 RGB or SK6812 RGBW
Pro
WIFI and BLE in the microprocessor to control the clock from a phone or PC.
NTP time from the internet in combination with the DS3231 RTC module.
(It
is possible to use the clock without internet)
Software runs on ESP32-C3/S3 and many more MCU's without a PCB.
Just connect the LED-strip and the DS3231 RTC to the pins and the clock will run
Cons
None?
An Arduino Nano ESP32 with shift registers and white LEDs.
Pro
WIFI and BLE in the microprocessor to control the clock from a phone or PC
NTP time from the internet in combination with the DS3231 RTC module.
(It is possible to use the clock without internet)
Cons
A lot of soldering. But an advantage if you like soldering.
Pro
WIFI and BLE in the microprocessor to control the clock from a phone or PC
NTP time from the internet in combination with the DS3231 RTC module.
(It is possible to use the clock without internet)
One PCB with all possibilities of above designs.
Cons
A lot of soldering.
---Oct 2024