PiClock - A Raspberry Pi

Clock & Weather

Display
Raspberry Pi 3 B

Samviu Nakaraua
The PiClock is a clock (duh), weather forcast, and radar map display based on the Raspberry Pi
and a display monitor. The display monitor is assumed to be an HDMI monitor, but it will probably
(possibly) work with the composite output as well, but this is not a design goal.

The main program (Clock/PyQtPiClock.py) will also run on Windows, Mac, and Linux, as long as
python 2.7+ and PyQt4 is installed.

The Weather data comes from DarkSky using their API ( https://darksky.net/dev/ ). The maps are
from Mapbox ( https://mapbox.com ) or Google Maps.

The PiClock can be customized with several supported additional things:

* RGB LED strips (NeoPixel) to create an ambilight effect
* gpio buttons for changing the view
* IR Remote Control for changing the view
* Streaming the NOAA weather radio
 DETAILS
Introduction
The PiClock is a clock (duh), weather forcast, and radar map display based on the Raspberry Pi
and a display monitor. The display monitor is assumed to be an HDMI monitor, but it will probably
(possibly) work with the composite output as well, but this is not a design goal. The main program
(Clock/PyQtPiClock.py) will also run on Windows, Mac, and Linux, as long as python 2.7+ and
PyQt4 is installed.
The Weather data comes from DarkSky using their API ( http://darksky.net/dev/ ). The maps are
from Google Maps API. You must get API Keys from DarkSky and Google in order to make this
work. It is free for low usage such as this application.
The PiClock can be customized with several supported additional things:

 RGB LED strips (NeoPixel) to create an ambilight effect

 gpio buttons for changing the view
 IR Remote Control for changing the view
 Streaming the NOAA weather radio stream for your area

The power usage I've measured is about 35watts with a 19" HDMI Monitor, 27 LEDs and the Pi.
The LEDs contributed 3 or so watts, and I think the Pi is about 2-3 Watts normally.
This is the basic PiClock, with some options added.
I chose to remove the plastic frame from my monitor and mount the Pi directly on it, as well as tap
power from the display's power supply.

I've made it work on multiple platforms and form factors.

And I've made some for friends and family with different customizations.

Overview on GitHub
There's an overview, install guide and hardware guide along with the source on
GitHub. https://github.com/n0bel/PiClock/blob/master/Documentation/Overview.md

There is also an instruction guide here on Hackaday.io. https://hackaday.io/project/6184-piclock-a-

raspberry-pi-clock-weather-display#menu-instructions

PiClocks have been successfully built and proudly displayed around the world by many people.
Some examples can be seen on closed github issues, as well as my public facebook page. I can't
tell how many PiClocks are out there. The github page shows 123 forks and 395 stars. Here
on Hackaday.io, there are almost 273 skulls (likes) 158,000 views and over 2,000 followers. As
well as 189 comments in the form of questions and answers.
I try to answer questions mostly on github.
I've made several PiClocks for friends and family. A few friends have made their own as well.
Maybe you'd like to give it a try.
Here are some successful PiClock build pictures.
Craig Moench
Dave Wasinger
blboyd
Mike Hudson
Micheal Jacques
 COMPONENTS
 1×A Raspberry Pi (revision 2) Model B, or B+ or Pi 2 Model B or Pi 3 or Pi Zero

1×A Display Monitor & Cable

1×5V Power Supply (for Pi)
Power Supply (or if you're ambitious tap your display power supply, you'll probably need a switching down
regulator to 5v) Remember the Pi likes something that can source up to 2A.
1×A USB Keyboard and Mouse for setup
(if you want something small and semi-permanent, I've had good luck with this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=iPazzPort+2.4G+Mini+Wireless+Keyboard I like the one with the
mousepad on the side)
1×USB Wifi or Internet Connection
1×(optional) One or more DS18B20s
for showing the inside temperature
1×(optional) A string of WS2818 based RGB LEDs
for the AmbiLight effect. At 40ma per LED, and 30 or so LEDs you're quickly up to needing an extra 1.2A
from the power supply. Size it appropriately. One option is https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-
uberguide/overview)
1×(optional) TSOP4838
Opto and Fiber Optic Semiconductors and ICs / Other Optoelectronic ICs
1×(optional) An IR Remote control
( I use this little guy:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Mini+Universal+Infrared+IR+TV+Set+Remote+Control+Keychain )
1×(optional) Push Switch or Switches
connected to some GPIO pins (and a ground pin) for flipping pages like the IR remote