Skip to content

Warning

This project is incomplete. I've hit a major roadblock and haven't had the time to return to it! I do plan on completing this project sometime...

Progress

I've brought this project back and started working on it again! See below for details.


ESP32 Alarm Clock

Overview

A DIY alarm clock using a huge custom LED display salvaged 7" LCD displays from old intercom devices, an ESP32, and a wireless snooze button. It also displays the day & month, as well as outside temperature & weather.


Hardware

  • ESP32 microcontroller
  • 7" LCD (salvaged from intercom)

Undecided

Encountered severe issues with the intercom OS that would take too long to reverse-engineer. I'm considering moving towards a small projector rather than an LCD...

  • Radio (or maybe bluetooth?) transmitter/receiver with a big ol' snooze button

Features

  • NTP time sync over WIFI, so the time is always accurate
  • Accounts for daylight savings time
  • Huge digits so my blind ahh can see the time when I'm in bed (without glasses)
  • Segmented display showing the date (Formatted as "Nevaday, Octobuary 67th")
  • Small LCD displaying the outdoor temperature (maybe, I add a thermometer to measure the indoor temp as well?)
    • Also, a little animation for the weather (clouds, sun, lightning, etc.)
  • Touchscreen lcd for configuration menu
  • Auto-dimming based off time (maybe add a photo-resistor?)
  • RF recieving capabilities for wireless snooze feature/remote
  • Self-power on/off with solid state relay

Build Notes

TODO

Add wiring diagrams, code snippets, images, and format this page properly


Changelog

March 13, 2026 Latest
Added

Ordered addressable LED strips.

Changed

The power requirements for this project. Obtained a 12V 10A (120W!) PSU.

Added

Obtained a 12V to 5V automotive buck since most of the components run off 5V.

Added

Plans to use small buck for ESP32 and other controllers.

Added

Full inkscape draw-up of laser cuts needed in said plexiglass.

Added

Ordered plexiglass (some opaque, and some translucent) for front face & shine-thru cutouts.

Added

Started 3d printing light tubes & led backing holders.

March 11, 2026
Changed

Brought this project back from the dead!

Removed

Intercom LCD integration attempt.

Added

Plans for a custom giant LED wall.

Added

Plans for a segmented display showing the date.

Added

Started sourcing 16 segment displays for date display.

Added

Plans for a small LCD displaying the outdoor temperature.

Added

Plans for a small touchscreen for editing user configuration.

Added

Plans for RF receiving capabilities.

Added

Plans for self-power on/off with solid state relay.

December 5, 2025
Deprecated

Ran head-first into a brick wall with the intercom display.

Removed

Shelved this project indefinitely.

November 3, 2025
Added

Initial idea for this project.

Added

Started poking Claude for help hacking the Intercom display.