Color Clock

This is a clock that gives the time by color. Right now it only gives it to you by the hour. The goal was to make a simplistic enough clock with out the need of digits. I do plan on enhancing and expanding the clocks functionality but for the time being this is what it perfoms. I apologize ahead of time as there will be a lack of pictures since half of them were lost.

Bill of Materials

RTC ds3231 - $3.99

Sainsmart Uno R3- $17.69

Neopixel Ring 24 - $19.95

Oak wood - $7.00(HomeDepot)

Stain - $3.48 (HomeDepot)

Acrylic - $5.00 (Bought at a local place)

12v 1.0A DC Plug

1000uf capacitor

470 ohm resistor

Tape

Wood Glue

Step 1: Wiring

Connecting the rtc to the arduino is as follows.

RTC

GND - GND

VCC - 5v

SDA - A4

SCL - A5

For the Neopixel you will connect.

DataInput - 470ohm resistor - pin 6

GND - 1000uf capcitor Negative - GND

PWR - 1000uf capcitor Negative - 5v

Important to note that the neopixel shares the 5v pin with the rtc. The neopixel also requires its own ground pin and is not recommended to be shared. From what I found when done the leds do not glow as brightly. Another note is to use the pwr and gnd holes that are next to each other on the neopixel ring.

Step 2: The Code

Link to code

The code currently just sets the color. In the setup it is important that the strip setup is placed before the rtc setup or else the sketch will not properly work. I am not well versed in coding so I am sure there are much more efficient ways to implement this but it works for what it does. There is a blank fade function there but it currently does nothing so it can be ignored.

Step 3: Building Enclosure

For the actual casing of the clock I had used a CNC machine to but this out. Holes are made on the top piece the neopixel sits on for to route the wires. Glass frosting was used on the acrylic to diffuse the light (multiple coats recommended). One coat of dark mahogany stain was applied to the wood to achieve the color you can apply multiple coats to achieve a darker color. A sketch up file is included for the model of the clock. (Note the components are taped down so as to be accesed at a later date.

(Note the resting positions meant for the rtc and neopixel may be slightly incorrect in size, bottom peice.)

Step 4: Extras

This is just something extra that I thought would be usefull for use. There is a color key chart for the clock so that you may know what color is what hour. The colors are set with the blues at night, reds mid day, and greens in the afternoon. Also if you wanted to enough room was made so that it can become soley battery powered.

Comments

[tomatoskins]

That's a really cool idea! I have always been in love with different kinds of clocks. I'm surprised I haven't had a project yet. Your's is great and I'm looking forward to what this project becomes in the future!