If you are searching for a new project to keep you busy this weekend, you may be interested in this excellent clock and desktop subscriber counter created by Thingiverse member Ruvimkub. This project is not only a fun and engaging way to spend your time, but it also offers practical applications for those interested in electronics and smart home integrations.
Project Overview
“This project describes how to connect a MAX7219 to an ESP8266 Chip and let it act as a MQTT client. It’s based on my ninHOME Node Project where you can optionally add a MAX7219 Display. But it can easily adapt to work without the other functionality, especially without SPIFFS support to save space on your ESP.”
The MAX7219 is an integrated serial input/output common-cathode display driver that can control up to 64 individual LEDs, seven-segment displays, or bar-graph displays. When paired with the ESP8266, a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability, it becomes a powerful tool for various IoT applications. The MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol is a lightweight messaging protocol for small sensors and mobile devices, optimized for high-latency or unreliable networks.
Firmware and Integration
“The Firmware is completely based on Sming Framework for ESP8266 and is hopefully easy to use. I will upload some binaries which you can upload without the compiling. Formerly I use this firmware and its options for my SmartHome integration with ioBroker from where I script everything I want to control or measure. And it isn’t completely ready, so if you want to contribute something …”
The Sming Framework is an open-source framework for developing applications on the ESP8266. It simplifies the process of writing code for the ESP8266 by providing a rich set of libraries and tools. This makes it easier for developers to create robust and efficient applications without having to deal with the complexities of the underlying hardware.
The firmware for this project is designed to be user-friendly, with pre-compiled binaries available for those who may not be comfortable with compiling their own code. This makes it accessible to a wider audience, including beginners who are just starting out with electronics and IoT projects.
The integration with ioBroker, an open-source IoT platform, allows for extensive customization and control. ioBroker supports a wide range of devices and protocols, making it a versatile choice for smart home enthusiasts. By scripting within ioBroker, users can create complex automation scenarios, monitor various sensors, and control different devices seamlessly.
Practical Applications and Future Enhancements
This clock and desktop subscriber counter project has numerous practical applications. For instance, it can be used by content creators to display real-time subscriber counts from platforms like YouTube or social media. Businesses can use it to show live metrics such as website visitors or sales figures. Additionally, it can serve as a general-purpose display for various notifications and alerts in a smart home setup.
Future enhancements could include adding support for more display types, integrating with additional IoT platforms, or expanding the functionality to include more sensors and actuators. The project is open for contributions, so if you have ideas or improvements, you are encouraged to participate and help make it even better.
To check out more projects by Ruvimkub, jump over to the official Thingiverse website by following the link below.
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