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WeatherDuino WiFi Wireless Display Units

Overview

The 4Pro Wireless Display units act like a remote display of the main receiver. All data presented on the receiver screen is sent wirelessly to all 4Pro Wireless Display units.
You can use as many units as you wish, anywhere in the home, garden or any other place, and they always be in sync with your receiver. Range varies from 20 to 100 meters.
Using their built-in WiFi, these units can get a four days weather forecast provided for free by DarkSky.

  • 4Pro Wireless Display units are supplied fully assembled and ready to work.
  • Can be upgraded via OTA.
  • Powered by any 5V 500mA micro-USB power supply (almost any phone charger will work).
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Installing and Configuring the software

For testing purposes all units are supplied already programmed with the latest version of the 4Pro Wireless Display software. You should reprogram each unit with your own personalized settings by defining in the software simple things like:

  • ID and password of your WiFi access point
  • location for the four day forecast
  • some other details, such as the ID of the your existing weather station.

If you haven't done it yet, download the latest software from the WeatherDuino support forum.
Out of the box the unit doesn't have a working WiFi connection, so initially, to program it, you should use the USB connection.
Later software upgrades can be done via OTA, unless the upgrade requires updating files stored on the SPIFFS memory (which can only be done by USB connection). This info is given on each software version.

In common with all WeatherDuino devices, programming is done using the Arduino IDE.

Using the Arduino IDE, open the software, then click on the Config_Options.h tab. Review and edit (if necessary) all user configurable options to suit your needs.
Follow the same procedure for the Credential.h file.

4pro_wd_config_options.jpg

Settings for the 4 Day Forecast

In order to use the 4 Day Forecast, you need to have a Dark Sky API key. If you don't have one, get it for free here: https://darksky.net/dev
Once you have your API key, insert it in the Credentials.h file:

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   Dark Sky API used for 4 Days Forecast
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Sign up for an account at Dark Sky, change x's to your API key
const String api_key = "xxxxxxxxxxxx";

Now, in the Config_Options.h you just have to define your location for the 4 Day Forecast. See example below:

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   Dark Sky 4 Days Forecast Settings
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                                   
// Set the forecast longitude and latitude to at least 4 decimal places
// Hint: Use the same values set on the WeatherDuino Receiver

const String latitude =  "xx.xxxxx";    // 90.0000 to -90.0000 negative for Southern hemisphere
const String longitude = "xxx.xxxxx";   // 180.000 to -180.000 negative for West

Identify the Touch Panel type

Your unit may have one of two different types of Touch Panel. When programming you should define the correct type installed in your own unit.
Identifying the type of Touch Panel is very easy: look on the front side of the screen, if the touch panel connections are on the top left, it is type 1, if they are on the bottom left then it is type 2 (e.g. The touch panel shown in the pictures on this page is type 2) Usually, units are supplied with a touch panel of type 1.

// Define type of your TFT Touch Panel
//
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   TFT Display Touch Panel type
//
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#define TOUCH_PANEL_TYPE      1      // 1= Type 1 (Touch Panel connections at Top Left),  2= Type 2 (Touch Panel connections at Bottom Left)

Compiling the software

Check if the LOLIN (WeMos) D1 R2 & mini is available in your list of boards (Arduino IDE Tools > Boards). If it isn't, then follow these instructions: LOLIN (WeMos) D1 R2 & mini isn't listed in my list of available boards. How to add it?
Once you have the WeMos D1 R2 & mini in the list of boards, select it and choose the COM port. Compile the code and upload, that's all.

USB Programing

When you are to program a new unit, or when the software upgrade requires updating the files stored on the SPIFFS memory, programing should be done by USB.
For more info about how to upload files to the SPIFFS memory see here: LOLIN (WeMos) D1 R2 & mini. How to upload files to the SPIFFS memory?

Over The Air (OTA) Programing

On first use, the WeatherDuino 4Pro Wireless Display unit should be programmed using the USB cable, after that it can be upgraded / programmed by OTA, unless the upgrade requires updating files stored on the SPIFFS memory (which can only be done by USB connection). This info is given on each software version.
For checking the requirements for this to work, please refer to this article: OTA programming

When upgrading software by OTA, instead of choosing a COM port, choose the IP address of the device you want to upgrade / program.

Optional Enhancements

Local Temperature / Humidity sensor

By default, the indoor Temperature / Humidity shown on the display corresponds to the location where the receiver is installed, so its data is broadcast by the receiver to all Wireless Display units. However, it is possible to install a local sensor on each unit to monitor the Temperature / Humidity of the place where the unit is installed. On the back of the unit there is a four pin connector for the additional sensor. Supported sensors are: BME280, HTU21D, SHT21, and SHT31.

Selection of the type of sensor is done on the software, always on the User_Config.h

 --- Define type of Local TH sensor
#define INSIDE_TH_SENSOR     9      // 0= BME280, 1= HTU21D, 2= SHT21, 3= SHT31, 9= Use Main Station TH sensor

Control the TFT Backlight - ON/OFF or Dimming

By default the TFT Backlight is always on, but you can control it. On the back of the unit there is a two pin jumper, by replacing this jumper by a switch, and you can turn the backlight OFF or ON when desired. You can do even more: instead of a switch you can use an 470K Ohm potentiometer and by doing this you can dim the backlight level to any convenient level.

Other Mods / Enhancements

WeatherDuino users are very creative people, always finding ways to improve their devices. Do a search on the WeatherDuino support forum, where you will find lots of ideas, including one that makes these units portable by using an Li-Ion battery and a very small charger.

All Weatherduino devices equipped with a 2.8“ TTF screen use the same navigational scheme.
The order of each of the data screen can be defined by the user on the Config_Options

User Interface - List of available languages

Currently, the user interface can be set to any of the following languages:

  • Dutch - Translation by Pierrelux
  • English - Base Language
  • French - Translation by Laulau
  • German - Translation by engolling
  • Italian - Translation by kraken1881
  • Portuguese - Translation by Werk_AG
  • Spanish - Translation by Ardummy

Is your language not on the list?
If so, maybe you could contribute to the project with a translation. It will not take more than an hour of your time, and a whole country will thank you.


Custom Box for the WiFi Wireless Display units

pro2compact_case2.jpgpro2compact_case.jpg

A member of the WeatherDuino Team (Jarek from Poland) has designed a custom case for the WeatherDuino Pro2 Compact receiver which can also be used for the WiFi Wireless Display units.
Anyone with access to a 3D printer can print it, or alternatively order it through any of the several 3D print services available online.
The required files are freely available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3210539

If you don't have a 3D printer, you can order you case directly from online 3D printing services like 3Dhubs.

Where I can get the WiFi Wireless Display units?

All information about prices, availability and how to order can be found here: WeatherDuino Wifi Wireless Display units, prices and availability.

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