RGB Box Clock

This is a clock and decorative RGB Led Matrix

It's controlled by a Colorduino Shield and NodeMCU v3 Board using i2C communication.

With Blynk app you can setup the alarm,change colors and other things.

Parts list is:

LoLin V3 NodeMcu Lua CH340G ESP8266 Board 6€ Link

Colorduino V2.0 + 2088RGB-5 8x8 Matrix 10€ Link

Touch Button 1€ Link

Active Buzzer 1€ Link

PLA Printer Plastic 2€

Total price is about 20€

Step 1: Print the Box

Parts available on Thingiverse

Printing setup:

• layer resolution 0.15
• infill of 25%
• 1.75mm PLA plastic

Supports, depend the part:

• Frontal.stl > Use supports
• Trasera_Superior.stl > Designed with part, don't use support generation.
• Trasera_Inferior.stl > Designed with part, don't use support generation.
• Frontal_Marc.stl > Don't use supports
• Frontal_Matriu.stl > Don't use supports

Once printed, remove gently the supports.

Be aware that the bolts holes are done only for Lolin NodeMCU v3, any other board will not fit into the holes.

All box printed parts must be kept together without glue or bolts.

Step 2: Mount the Parts

Everything must fit easily.

For the matrix cover find some kind of plastic sheet or just paper.

Step 3: Do the Wiring

Follow the schematics in the image, is quite easy.

There's a hole to install a little piece put together all the main power supply, I used a cutted prototyping PCB but you can use whatever you want.

Step 4: Programming the NodeMCU and Colorduino

Both are coded on Arduino IDE

For NodeMCU v3 Lolin

You'll need following Libraries

• EEPROM.h
• Wire
• Timelib.h
• ESP8266Wifi.h
• ESP8266WebServer.h
• TimeLib.h
• Blynk libraries

For Colorduino (or icDuino)

You'll need following Libraries

Use Colorduino.cpp library to have better performance (don't needed, just change the highlighted lines shown at the picture with code)

Colorduino boards and derivatives like icDuino (is what I used) is a Duemilanove or Decimilia MCU, so configure arduino IDE to load the code.

Step 5: Blynk App Setup

Download Blynk App on your phone or tablet

Clone the project with the QR code on the first image.

Step 6: And Play With It

Some references:

https://123led.wordpress.com/colorduino/

http://blog.lincomatic.com/?p=148

https://github.com/giladaya/arduino-particle-sys

http://www.sinaptec.alomar.com.ar/2017/06/tutorial...

Thank you all!

Comments

[BikerAfloat]

Dear Manteniendo,

Do you have a schematic for this project please also what function does the button have?

Thanks in advance,
Geoff.

[Manteniendo]

8 months later... Finally I've done the schematics! :')

[BikerAfloat]

Excellent , thank you

[Manteniendo]

You're welcome!

[Manteniendo]

No, sorry :( I don't have the schematics, but following the arduino code is easy to find out how it work.

The function of the button is to cycle through the different modes of the clock.

I'll try to do the schematics some day, I don't have time now

[BikerAfloat]

Thank you for your reply, I'll look through the code.

[BrianP183]

Has anyone made this? I having a lot of trouble compiling the Colorduino code.

Any help appreciated

[Manteniendo]

Hi Brian,

Any missing library?
Which is the output error during compilation?

Regards!

[BrianP183]

Hi Mainteniendo, thanks so much for getting back to me. I am 99% finished on this project, all parts printed etc, just cant compile the Colorduino section. Originally I was getting a ColorFill underfined or something like that using a early version of the library. 1.1 from memory. I later found ColorFill was only implemented in 1.2.3 so tried using 1.2.4 all the way to 1.2.7 which throw up more errors relating to "numbers" "pic" etc also tried changing the ide from 1.5 to 1.6 to 1.8 and the latest.
I'm sure its something to do with finding the magic combination, could you please tell me what versions you used ? ide, colorduino lib and Particle System Lib.
Thanks

[Manteniendo]

Hi Brian,

I recompiled today everything and compiled fine with:

Arduino IDE 1.8.10

Node MCU:

EEPROM versión 1.0
Wire versión 1.0
ESP8266WiFi versión 1.0
ESP8266WebServer versión 1.0
Time-master versión 1.5
Blynk versión 0.6.1

icDuino:

Colorduino-master versión 1.2.6
Wire versión 1.0
Particle-System: I don't know the version but I downloaded it from here: https://github.com/giladaya/arduino-particle-sys

I remember having some issues, a long time ago, with compilation in some point of programming of my RGBBox but I'm not able to remember which was the solution neither the exact issue, sorry :(

Tell me if you find out what is happening, but I think you're right and has to be something related with a bad library or similar.

[BrianP183]

Hi Mainteniendo, Thanks, I really thought I would have this sorted with using the same components as you described. But still getting the same errors. I also installed IDE1.8.10 on a fresh PC with the same Libs as you mentioned, Strangely I get similar but not exactly the same errors. I notice in the IDE under sketch there is a option to "Export compiled Binary" is this a possible quick fix? Could you upload? Then question is what address to burn with?

[Manteniendo]

Hi Brian,

Excuse me the delay, you can download from here the binaries https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XrilKegCx3C0PWwT...

Are you using the same icDuino pcb than me? or another brand... perhaps something change, mine is compiled like a Duemilanove profile... are you sure yours is the same?

Regards!

[BrianP183]

Hi Mainteniendo, Thanks, sorry for the delay as well. I must have missed your reply post. the binaries worked well, after I figured out how to use them. Project is now complete and working as advertised. Thanks very much for a great project and assistance.
Regards,
Brian

[Manteniendo]

Oh! I'm really glad to read this :)

Could you send me some pictures and/or video of yours working? I'm going to be very happy to see it :)

email: admin(a)manteniendo.com

[daniel.keif]

For the Cables, what type would we need and why aren't they in the part's list you posted? Also, at what points on the components should we connect the cables to?

[seamster]

I like it! Very nicely done :)

[Manteniendo]

Thank you! :)