I admit it: I'm a total geek. I love electronics, programming, 3D printing, 3D art, and vintage Apple hardware. I'm always juggling half a dozen projects. I also enjoy documenting it all: my successes, my failures, my experiences... and everything geeky along the way.

Talking Clock - Part IV | Kevin Rye.net - Main

Kevin Rye

Geek Extraordinaire. Yeh, I said it.

Talking Clock - Part IV

May 27, 2016 Filed in: Arduino | Clocks | Electronics | PCBs
My PCBs finally arrived! As parts and PCBs become available, I’m bouncing back and forth between this, my 3” LCD Clock and my Zorg Bomb Clock. It seems like all the PCBs showed up within days of each other. So much to do!

talking_clock_pcb_0012

The original plan was to put the audio amplifier right on the board, but I decided in the end to do without it. I’ll just use one of the little breakouts that I made a few years ago.

talking_clock_amp_0018

I also got the button breakout board.

talking_clock__bb_0011

My ATtiny Breakouts are indeed tiny. I ordered 6 because I know these will come in handy in the future.

ATtinyBreakout_0026

It took no time at all to put one together.

ATtinyBreakout_0027

As well as the button breakout.

talking_clock_bb_assembly_0017

On to the main board.

I first baked the SMD stuff in the oven. There’s no sense in soldering on all the headers if the board is a dud, so I always like to flash the chip before I continue with the build. I successfully burned the bootloader and loaded the blink sketch. The LED flashes. We’re in business!

talking_clock_firmware_0016

I then soldered on the headers.

talking_clock_assembly_0021

The VS1053 just slips right onto the top like a shield.

talking_clock_assembly_0022

I then put all the pieces together using my prototype chassis. It’s not the final build. I still have to print an updated chassis that can hold the button board. I’ll also have to do some cable management once it’s all mounted within the chassis and make the wires as short as possible.

talking_clock_almost_assembled_0023

Knowing al the electronics were good to go, I went ahead and printed the final version of the inner chassis. It has an additional area that’ll allow me to mount the button board.

final_inner_chassis_0011

I first mounted the mainboard and screwed in the button board with the aid of a 3/8” board stand. I then made the connections with some 4-pin ribbon cables. I thought I was going to have to cut them down, but it looks like I have plenty of space for them.

final_inner_chassis_assembly_0014

I then hot-glued in the speaker, the amplifier, and made the connections.

final_inner_chassis_assembly_0016

Last up was the Neopixels.

final_inner_chassis_assembly_0018

Everything fits perfectly.

final_inner_chassis_assembly_0017

I then connected the power cables and the ATtiny board that PWMs the LED inside the play button.

final_inner_chassis_assembly_0020

I made some last minute code changes.I changed the color of the Neopixel ring from a greenish-blue to just straight-up blue to match the LED inside the play button. Also, I did away with fade in/out routine. It was kind of hoaky. Now, the LEDs are always on.

Here it is in action:

Talking Clock Final Build

I also have to print the final enclosure too. I think maybe some wooden PLA with a nice stain will do the trick!

See this project from start to finish:
 Adafruit's VS1053 MP3 Player Breakout
Talking Clock - Part I
Talking Clock - Part II
Talking Clock - Part III
Talking Clock - Part IV
Talking Clock - Part V
Talking Clock - Part VI