/Arcade-WiFiClock

Alternative firmware for the Hack Club Hack Hour Clock (Arcade Ticket Counter) that displays the current time

Primary LanguageC++

Arcade-WiFiClock

Alternative firmware for the Hack Club Hack Hour Clock (Arcade Ticket Counter) that displays the current time using NTP.

Patch Notes - V1.1

  • Fixed "midnight bug" in which 12AM or 12PM shows up as 0:XX
  • Tuned overflow protection to double check.
  • Fixed issues with 12hr cycles

Patch Notes - V1

  • Fixed Display flashing issues
  • Relelaxed NTP syncs from 100ms to 1s
  • Overflow protection (prevents negative or unregular hours and times with more than 60 minutes)
  • Allows GMT offsets with half hours (EX: IST = GMT+5:30)
  • Adjusted calculations for more time zones
  • Option to easily disable/enable 12 Hour cycles

Installation:

  • Install Ardunio IDE 2.0 or newer
  • Add the Pi Pico W(H) in Additional Board Manager URLs:
https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json

  • Install the following Ardunio Libaries

    • ShiftDisplay2: manages the display
    • NTPCilent: allows for communication with NTP servers
  • Download the V1.ino file from the repo.

  • You can also use the RTCexperimental.ino as another option for a less internet-dependent option but is nowhere near finished

  • Open it in Ardunio IDE

  • Plug in the clock and select "Raspberry Pi Pico W" in the proper serial port - If installing this for the first time especially after other firmware, hold BOOTSEL on the rear of the clock before plugging in

  • Edit the SSID and PASS near the top to match your WiFi

  • Set the GMT offset on Line 59 by adjusting the "-4" (EST) to yours

  • Select Verify, wait for the compilation to complete

  • Select Upload, wait for the Pi to finish flashing

Start up sequence

  • The clock will appear blank for at least 10 seconds - This is normal, the clock is attempting to connect to your WiFi and establish NTP, this may take up to a minute.

  • Then, the clock will display "SYnC" - The clock has established a connection and calculating the correct time

  • Then, the clock should display the time

  • If the clock starts flashing slowly, the clock has lost contact with NTP. Either restart the clock or fix WiFi issues.