Introduction

The PiClock is a clock (duh), weather forcast, and radar map display based on the Raspberry Pi and a display monitor. The display monitor is assumed to be an HDMI monitor, but it will probably (possibly) work with the composite output as well, but this is not a design goal. The main program (Clock/PyQtPiClock.py) will also run on Windows, Mac, and Linux, as long as python 2.7+ and PyQt4 is installed.

The Weather data comes from DarkSky using their API ( http://darksky.net/dev/ ). The maps are from Google Maps API. You must get API Keys from DarkSky and Google in order to make this work. It is free for low usage such as this application.

The PiClock can be customized with several supported additional things:

RGB LED strips (NeoPixel) to create an ambilight effect

gpio buttons for changing the view

IR Remote Control for changing the view

Streaming the NOAA weather radio stream for your area

The power usage I've measured is about 35watts with a 19" HDMI Monitor, 27 LEDs and the Pi. The LEDs contributed 3 or so watts, and I think the Pi is about 2-3 Watts normally.

This is the basic PiClock, with some options added.

I chose to remove the plastic frame from my monitor and mount the Pi directly on it, as well as tap power from the display's power supply.

I've made it work on multiple platforms and form factors.

And I've made some for friends and family with different customizations.

Overview on GitHub

There's an overview, install guide and hardware guide along with the source on GitHub. https://github.com/n0bel/PiClock/blob/master/Documentation/Overview.md



There is also an instruction guide here on Hackaday.io. https://hackaday.io/project/6184-piclock-a-raspberry-pi-clock-weather-display#menu-instructions



PiClocks have been successfully built and proudly displayed around the world by many people. Some examples can be seen on closed github issues, as well as my public facebook page. I can't tell how many PiClocks are out there. The github page shows 123 forks and 395 stars. Here on Hackaday.io, there are almost 273 skulls (likes) 158,000 views and over 2,000 followers. As well as 189 comments in the form of questions and answers.

I try to answer questions mostly on github.

I've made several PiClocks for friends and family. A few friends have made their own as well.

Maybe you'd like to give it a try.

Here are some successful PiClock build pictures.

Craig Moench‎



Dave Wasinger



blboyd



Mike Hudson





Micheal Jacques





