Portable Mini Weather Station: Real-Time Weather Updates with Web Configuration

Overview

The Portable Mini Weather Station is a compact and versatile device designed to provide real-time weather updates, temperature readings, and other atmospheric details. Built with an ESP12F microcontroller and a 1.5" TFT display, this project combines modern technology with sleek design. The station fetches weather data directly from OpenWeatherMap, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.

What sets this weather station apart is its web configuration portal, allowing users to personalize their settings effortlessly. Whether adjusting the Wi-Fi credentials, city code, UTC time offset, display brightness, or weather update interval, everything can be configured and saved in the ESP12F's EEPROM memory for persistent use.

A Support From PCBWAY

This project was made possible with the incredible support and sponsorship from PCBWay. Their assistance allowed me to bring my ideas to life, and I am grateful for their commitment to supporting creators in the DIY and maker community. Thank you, PCBWay, for believing in this project!

PCBWay also offers a variety of services, including PCB assembly, 3D printing, and CNC machining. Their sponsorship program for projects like this one helps make electronics projects more accessible to everyone. By choosing PCBWay, you can bring your projects to life with confidence.

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Key Features:

1. Portable Design: A compact and lightweight weather station powered by ESP12F, making it easy to carry and use anywhere.
2. 1.5” TFT Display: A bright and colorful screen displays real-time weather, temperature, wind speed, and direction in an easy-to-read format.
3. Web Portal for Configuration: Users can configure Wi-Fi settings, city codes, UTC time, brightness, and weather update intervals via a user-friendly web portal.
4. EEPROM Data Storage: Configuration settings are saved to the ESP12F’s EEPROM, ensuring data retention even after power cycles.
5. Real-Time Weather Updates: Fetches data using OpenWeatherMap API, including temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and weather conditions.
6. Customizable Display: Brightness, city-specific data, and update intervals can be adjusted for user preference.
7. Modern Aesthetic: Enclosed in a 3D-printed, stylish casing that blends functionality with beauty.

Tech Specs

1.Microcontroller: ESP12F (ESP8266)

• Built-in Wi-Fi for seamless wireless communication.
• 32-bit processor running at 80 MHz (can be overclocked to 160 MHz).
• 4 MB onboard Flash memory for program and data storage.
• Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack.

2.Display: 1.5” TFT LCD

• Resolution: 128x128 pixels for crisp visuals.
• SPI interface for fast and reliable data transfer.
• Displays weather data, time, temperature, and wind information.
• Adjustable brightness via web portal.

3.Wireless Module: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)

• IEEE 802.11 b/g/n compatibility.
• Supports Access Point (AP) and Station (STA) modes.
• Fetches weather data from OpenWeatherMap API in real time.

4.Power: AMS1117 3.3V Voltage Regulator

• Input voltage range: 5V
• Stable 3.3V output to power the ESP12F and TFT display.
• Low dropout regulator for efficient power management.

5.Storage: EEPROM

• Saves user-configured settings like Wi-Fi credentials, city codes, UTC offset, and brightness.
• Ensures persistent settings after power loss.

6.Dimensions and Weight:

• Dimensions: 60 mm x 40 mm x 30 mm.
• Weight: ~120g (including enclosure).

7.Enclosure: 3D-Printed Case

• Sleek, compact, and modern design.
• High-quality PLA/ABS material for durability.
• Precise cutouts for display and USB C port.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Microcontroller

1.ESP-12F (ESP8266MOD) Wi-Fi Module

• Package: WIFIM-SMD_ESP-12F-ESP8266MOD
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

1.AMS1117-3.3 Voltage Regulator

• Package: SOT-223-3_L6.5-W3.4-P2.30-LS7.0-BR
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

2.CH340C USB-to-Serial IC

• Package: SOP-16_L10.0-W3.9-P1.27-LS6.0-BL
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

Connectors and Displays

1.ST7789 TFT Display (1.54-inch)

• Package: ST7789_TFT_1.54
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

2.USB-C Connector (6-pin)

• Package: USB-C-SMD_TYPE-C-6PIN-2MD-073
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

Transistors and MOSFETs

1.SS8050-H Transistor

• Package: SOT-23-3_L2.9-W1.3-P1.90-LS2.4-BR
• Quantity: 2
• Buy Link: Click Here

2.AO3401 MOSFET

• Package: AO3401
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

Resistors

1. 200R Resistor

• Package: R0603
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

2. 12k Resistor

• Package: R0603
• Quantity: 10
• Buy Link: Click Here

3. 5.1k Resistor

• Package: R0603
• Quantity: 2
• Buy Link: Click Here

4. 1k Resistor

• Package: R0603
• Quantity: 1
• Buy Link: Click Here

Capacitors

1.C1206 (10uF, 22uF)

• Package: C1206
• Quantity: 2
• Buy Link: Click Here

2. 100nf Capacitor

• Package: C0603
• Quantity: 4
• Buy Link: Click Here

Schematic

PCB LAYOUT

This Weather Sync PCB integrates an ESP-12F Wi-Fi module, 1.54-inch TFT display connector, USB Type-C power input, CH340C USB-to-serial converter, and AMS1117 voltage regulator. It is compact, efficient, and professionally designed for building a sleek, modern weather station.

Layout

2D Preview

3D Preview

Firmware Uploading

To upload the firmware to this weather station, you will need a USB-C data cable and the software ESP8266FLASHER.exe. Follow these steps:

1.Run the Software: Open ESP8266FLASHER.exe on your computer.

2.Adjust Advanced Settings:

Click on the Advanced tab and configure the settings as follows:

• Baud Rate: 921600
• Flash Size: 4MByte
• Flash Speed: 80MHz
• SPI Mode: DOUT

3.Select the Binary File:

• Navigate to the Config tab.
• Click on the gear icon and select the firmware binary file you want to upload.

4.Start the Flashing Process:

• Return to the Operation tab.
• Select the correct COM Port for your device.
• Click Flash to begin uploading the firmware. The process may take a few minutes.

5.Complete the Process:

• Once the firmware is successfully uploaded, close the software.
• Reboot the weather station to finalize the process.

Your weather station is now updated with the new firmware.

Time To Do WEB Configuration

After powering on the weather station, it will take approximately 30 seconds to display an animation and branding text. Following this, if the Wi-Fi connection fails, a message will appear, and the SSID DIY TECHOS will be displayed. To set up the weather station, follow these steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and Configure Wi-Fi:

1. On your phone, open the Wi-Fi settings and look for a network named DIY TECHOS.
2. Connect to DIY TECHOS, which will automatically open the web configuration portal.
3. Click on Configure Wi-Fi, and a settings menu will appear.
4. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter its password. You also have the option to manually add your Wi-Fi details.

3. Enter City Code:

To find your city code:

1. Open a browser and go to OpenWeatherMap.
2. Search for your city using the correct spelling in the search bar.
3. The site will display your weather data. Check the URL at the top; the city code will be at the end of the hyperlink.
4. Enter this city code in the City Code field on the web configuration portal.

4. Set Country UTC:

To determine your country's UTC:

1. Open your browser and search UTC of [Your Country] on Google.
2. Enter the retrieved UTC value in the Country UTC field.

5. Adjust Additional Settings:

1. Set the LCD brightness level (between 10 and 100).
2. Choose the weather update interval (between 10 and 60 minutes).

6. Save and Update:

1. Click Save to apply the settings.
2. The weather station will take 5–8 seconds to display updated weather information, depending on your internet speed.

Good News:

You don’t need to reconfigure the settings in case of a power loss, as all settings are saved to the EEPROM for persistent storage.