LED wind indicator

I have something with the weather. I always like to know how warm or cold it is, how much rain has fallen, how hard the wind blows and from what direction,... and so there are lots of sensors around our house to keep me up to date. These sensors give only a limited range of data, so I still need the internet to inform me about everything I want to know.

I am lucky because one of the national weather data collecting points is located in the village where I live. And all its data is to be found on the internet, together with the data of all other collecting points and predicions for the upcoming days in a very handy XML-file.

The only drawback is that you always need a computer to acces that data. So I decided to start buiding a device to display the data without a pc. This wind indicator is a testversion, displaying only the wind direction, its force and a prediction for the next day. It is connected to a pc via a USB to RS232 converter, but the future project should be able to work as a stand alone version.

Step 1 What do you need

• 31 LED's
• 10 x 150Ohm resistor
• 1 x 1K5 resistor
• 1 button
• 2 screwterminals
• 1 isp 10pins connector
• an atmega8
• a 100nF capacitor
• a USB to RS232 cable or something similar. ( I use the RX and TX pins of an xbee to USB connector)
• a programmer
• python 2.6

I made this project with smd components, but it can be build with thru hole parts. I also used a lot of copper thru hole links. These are completely optional, you can use a soldered wire to connect the 2 layers. 

Comments

[DUlschm]

Super job on the PC design. Very intelligent use of copper shapes and text. I agree with the nautical feel (I'm a sucker for boats anyway). It would be neat to see it housed in a mahogany box. Gotta stick with a weather resistant wood if you want to maintain the nautical aesthetic.

David

[janw]

It took me quite a long time to figure out the layout for the PCB. I am glad that you like it.

[jeff-o]

I wonder if you could make it standalone using a Lantronix Xport device?

Fantastic work, as always!

[janw]

I was actually planning to attach an Xbee to the RS232 port on te router that I used for the wifiradio to send the data to a stand alone device. That one should give a lot more info like temperature, presure, amount of rain falling, wind direction and speed and predicitons for 5 days ahead. But an xport would work I guess. I have no experience with those.

[jeff-o]

They're pretty nice, but wired. If you want wireless then an Xbee is definitely the way to go.

[dark sponge]

That has to be one of the most beautiful PCBs I have ever seen!

[janw]

Thanks a lot!

[CODIY]

Very nicely done. I love the nautical look of the board. I was wondering if the thru hole copper pieces you used are a product that you found or something that you made. I've been using cut copper wire to make my vias but would love to have soemthing purpose made for the job.

great instructable.

[janw]

Thank you! Ik bought the vias at an online shop in the Netherlands. smdshop.nl

[ynze]

Very Cool! And what a great pcb-lay-out!

[mathman47]

Nice project. Do you know how to get the same or similar data for US weather stations?

[janw]

www.weather.com has an XML service.