Every electronics project can come together with a bit of patience, but the result is even more rewarding if we use it daily. The wireless weather clock is an excellent candidate, and the best part is that it uses widely available components. At the same time, its DIY nature makes it very flexible, so we can print a casing or make one from anything we have at home.
Once again, just in case there are any doubts: your first electronics project doesn't have to be terrifying or intimidating. The same applies to all Arduino-based projects and their compatible clones. Obviously, it's never a good idea to work while tired, stressed, or frustrated for other reasons (especially when a hot soldering iron is involved), but there will always be something simple to use as a starting point, a small victory that will make you come back for more.
The PC volume control I shared previously is a solid example: with the exact components, you don't even have to solder wires. What's next? Today I'd love to add this wireless weather clock published by the channel The Wrench on YouTube and the Instructables portal. In total, you only need five parts (two of them optional), and a bit of Arduino code that requires minimal modifications.
Build your own WiFi weather clock
The brain of this clock is a Wemos D1 Mini, but you can use any compatible clone based on the inexhaustible ESP8266 (10 euros a pair on Amazon). The display is actually a 1.54-inch LCD with 240x240 resolution, though I imagine with other settings you could also adopt an e-paper module. The last three components are a breadboard for the first prototype, a charger module, and a lithium battery. The breadboard is optional, as is the charger, since nothing stops you from using something like an 18650 holder and swapping the battery manually for an already charged one. The circuit is very easy to reproduce.
As for the Arduino code, it needs four modifications: SSID and password of the WiFi network the clock will connect to, API key and host on weatherapi.com (it's free), an appropriate NTP server for your region, and your estimated location in latitude and longitude. Obviously, uploading the code requires a configured copy of the Arduino IDE, and the files for the ESP8266.
The last phase is creating the casing, but if you don't have access to a 3D printer, use any other box or module that can hold the components. In fact, you're not obligated here either: getting the clock to work on the breadboard is a fantastic result in itself. What are you waiting for? This weather clock will look great on your desk.
Sources: YouTube, Instructables
