Just about every laptop, desktop, and smartphone in your life can tell you the date, time, and current weather predictions. However, sometimes it’s nice to have simple data displayed on a bespoke device. That’s what inspired [Mario] to create ESPTimeCast.
As you might have guessed by the name, the project is designed around the ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers; either one is up to the task of running the show here. Both come with Wi-Fi connectivity out of the box, which makes it easy for them to hook up to the Internet to query NTP servers for the time and weather data from OpenWeatherMap. The data is then displayed on an LED matrix display, made up of four 8×8 LED modules and driven with the aid of the MAX7219 IC. Configuration is handled over a simple web interface hosted on the device itself. All the parts are wrapped up in a 3D-printed housing that would be very fitting in any home that appreciates the magic of late 60s/early 70s decor.
Hackers love building clocks, weather stations, and other useful information displays. We’ve seen a great many examples over the years. If you’re cooking up your own neat project in this area, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Awesome project overall, simple hardware and very nicely produced firmware. I didn’t know those matrix displays were so cheap! Looks like they are in the AU$6-7 range, which is amazing considering what they would have been 10 years ago.
Lots of data, but overkill.
Nice to see more options, but tronbyt (https://hackaday.com/2025/03/29/open-source-framework-aims-to-keep-tidbyt-afloat) has been working great for me and now supports new display hardware not made by tidbyt
They’re not making them anymore.
Where does one find version 2 of the case?
Both versions are included in the download:
https://www.printables.com/model/1344276-esptimecast-wifi-clock-weather-display
V1 and V2 of the case are included in the 3D case download:
https://www.printables.com/model/1344276-esptimecast-wifi-clock-weather-display
V1 and V2 are included in the download on printables and cults 3d
The Aura smart weather display is neat too. It uses a Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) which is an ESP32 board and it goes in a 3d printed case.
https://makerworld.com/en/models/1382304-aura-smart-weather-forecast-display
https://github.com/Surrey-Homeware/Aura
If I want to make that clock, what would I use as the protective screen in front of the dot-matrix leds? It looks like smoked plastic or glass.
Acrylic sheets are available pretty cheaply in various colors, translucencies, and thicknesses. Just cut to shape using your preferred method.
The one in the picture is a 1 layer thin 3d printed diffuser, but yeah, you can use acrylic if you dont have access to a 3d printer ;)
Thanks, I didn’t know 3D printing a diffuser was possible. Could I use something like this? https://uk.store.bambulab.com/products/pla-translucent
The one in the picture was made with Elegoo standard black PLA
I made mine using wood veneer. It is a very good diffuser, and looks amazing. The leds are more than bright enough to shire through the veneer.
Install ESP8266 Board Package:
Open File > Preferences in Arduino IDE.
Add http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json to “Additional Boards Manager URLs.”
Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager…. Search for esp8266 by ESP8266 Community and click “Install”.
File downloads but no ‘esp8266 by ESP8266 Community’
Any help appreciated
If you installed esp8266 by ESP8266 Community and it shows the version number and as installed “3.1.2 installed” then you should be able to see the esp8266 boards under:
Tools > Board > esp8266 just under Boards Manager
Cheers, sorted
Nice!