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g0hjq / lcd_nixie_clock

Pseudo Nixie LCD clock in Micropython for the Waveshare kit and Pi Pico
MIT License
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Using a Waveshare ESP32-S3-Pico #5

Open a-pemberton opened 2 months ago

a-pemberton commented 2 months ago

I have only just signed up to Github so am unfamiliar with their protocols, but... I noted this project today and I see some admirable work developing this clock. I have been also working on an NTP based variant using the ESP32-S3-Pico which is sort of compatible with the Rpi Pico. I have created a 3D printed case to allow the use of the on board antennae as the Waveshare case is aluminium (not good for WiFi). I use the Arduino IDE for code development. Initially I used the original Waveshare code adapted but there have been so many modifications, little remains of the original. I have recreated the Nixie .jpg files as the Waveshare originals are a bit blurry. The time taken for the SPI to load each of the 6 LCD's is significant and the seconds display only update every 3.5 seconds approx. P1010586 This, for me, is still a work in progress but I have the basic clock working. I will be posting my code when I have learnt more about using Github.

michaelmargolis commented 2 months ago

Interesting project, I look forward to seeing more.

I am sure you will be able to improve the SPI digit update times, Arduino code is more efficient than python code and your processor is more powerful than the ones used by Gary and me for our clocks.

If you are developing on Windows, have a look at tortoise git, it is a friendly GUI interface for github that makes common github task more intuitive than using the command line.

See: https://tortoisegit.org/

a-pemberton commented 2 months ago

I have made my current code and source for 3D printed case for ESP32-S3-Pico_Nixie_Clock publically available but I must stress that it is very much unfinished.

I think I will try using DMA for the SPI - I think the speed may be limited by the LCD module itself. Another approach might be to only update digits as necessary or reduce the display to hours and minutes. I like your display!

I am using Linux for development. I have much to learn about Github!