ESP32 Seven Segment Single Print Digital Clock - WS2818b - esp32

ESP32 Seven Segment Single Print Digital Clock - Modular and Monolithic LED Display Designs - Ws2818b LED Strip 100LED/m - Wemos D1 Mini - (ESPHome/Home Assistant)

ESP Digital Clock Collection

A collection of modern, customizable LED digital clock designs that integrate with Home Assistant through ESPHome. Choose between modular single digits that can be arranged however you like, or complete 4-digit and 6-digit monolithic designs.

 🎬 Video Tutorials Now Available!

•  Part 1: 3D Printing & Design
  • Full Tutorial (10min) - Detailed walkthrough of printing and customization
  • Quick Guide (2.5min) - Fast overview of the process
•  Part 2: Parts, Tools, and Wiring
• [Full Tutorial (15min)] - Complete electronics guide and wiring setup:
• - [Quick Teaser (17sec)](https://youtu.be/uiOuWeXdryE)
•  Part 3: Assembly & Soldering
• Full assembly guide plus bonus 6-digit clock build:
• - [Full Tutorial (15min)](https://youtu.be/76l32a6Kb90)
• - [Quick Teaser (17sec)](https://youtu.be/x0ZPEmYtgFM)
•  Part 4: Firmware & ESPHome Setup
• Complete firmware and Home Assistant integration:
• - [Full Tutorial (15min)](https://youtu.be/q1JSGy7HCL0)
• - [Quick Teaser (17sec)](https://youtu.be/x0ZPEmYtgFM)

 🛠 Resources

• - [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/kylemath/digitalclock)
• - [Thingiverse Files](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6861353)
• - [Complete Tutorial Series](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBpq2qBuOI1kfnOv1Nu6G2_ES9P5Xj6k)

 🆕 New Features & Updates!

Recently added _wLid version includes:

• - Clean back design with integrated lid
• - Hidden wire management
• - Keyhole mounting slots for easy wall hanging
• - No visible screws from the front
• - Same firmware compatibility as original version
• - Improved thermal management
• - More robust construction

All print files have an accompanying openSCAD .scad file which can be edited, rendered, and saved as a new .stl as you please. Super hint: Ask chatgpt for help with this. 
https://openscad.org/

I got inspired after printing and building this great clock: https://www.printables.com/model/478390-ws2812b-digital-pixel-clock-esp8266-esphome-based. I wanted to make something more compact that also used strips of LEDs with minimal soldering so used Cursor and OpenSCAD to create my own design. I tried to make it as modular as possible so that it would be easy to print and assemble.

I don't think that I saw the following design before this development, but the similarities are enough to add it as a remix. I like the great design: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5170654

Design Options

1. Modular Single Digit Design
  - Stack and arrange digits as needed
  - Easy maintenance and replacement
  - Perfect for custom configurations
  - Individual digit control

2. 6-Digit Monolithic Clock (HH:MM:SS)
  - All-in-one design
  - Perfect for wall mounting
  - Complete time display with seconds

3. 4-Digit Monolithic Clock (HH:MM)
  - Compact design
  - Perfect for desks
  - Clean hour and minute display 
  - Available in original and new _wLid version

Required Materials

Electronics
- ESP8266 NodeMCU or ESP32 Wemos D1 Mini
- WS2812B LED strips
- 5V Power Supply (2A minimum)
- Micro USB cable
- Dupont wires
- 220 Ohm Resistor
- Optional: Power jack connector

Printing Details
- Main body: PLA or PETG
- Diffusers: Clear/translucent filament
- Pause Print after diffuser layers.
- No supports needed for most parts
- 0.2mm layer height recommended
- 20% infill for main bodies
- 100% infill for diffusers

ESPHome Setup & Installation Guide

Method 1: Home Assistant Add-on (Recommended)
If you're already using Home Assistant:

1. Open Home Assistant
2. Go to Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store
3. Search for "ESPHome"
4. Click "Install"
5. Start the ESPHome add-on
6. Open the ESPHome dashboard

Method 2: Command Line Installation
If you prefer using ESPHome  directly:

open terminal:
pip install esphome

then to open the dashboard:
esphome dashboard

Firmware Installation
First-Time Setup
1. Connect your ESP board to your computer via USB
2. In the firmware files, Download the appropriate YAML configuration or download the github repo, they are all called leg-digit.yaml,

2.5: You must create your own file secrets.yaml with the following

#ESPHome
wifi_ssid: "networkName"
wifi_password: "password"
ota_password: "password"
api_encryption_key: "long_jumble_of_random_characters_you_create_once"

ota_password is just a new key that you create that will be needed to be able to update the clock device wirelessly over the air afterwards.
api_encryption_key Is a unique BASE64 key which can be generated here:

Configuration Settings in led-digits.yaml
Also in addition to secrets, edit these values in your main YAML file before installing:
wifi:
>ssid: "Your_WiFi_Name"
>password: "Your_WiFi_Password"

Installing Firmware with ESPHome Dashboard
1. Open Esphome dashboard with the yaml loaded for the print you want:
esphome dashboard firmwareV5_SixDigitMonolith
2. Click the link or go to http://0.0.0.0:6052 in browser
3. Click three dots in dashboard under name of firmware > Install

First Time Setup,
4.   plug d1 mini usb port into computer:
5. Click Plug into this computer > Download Project > Agree to allow .bin file in browser download if needed > Open EspHome Web 
6. Connect in the new window > Find your device serialPort
7. Click "Install"
8. Chose File - Select the .bin file in downloads folder
9. Click Install and it should work, you may need to reset or unplug and plug the esp32  or try a few times

Later updates (changing colour or brightness in the code)
4. plug d1 mini into any power source and observe blue light flash
5. Click Wirelessly
6. Install should start watch log for errors and try again if needed

Later updates Using Command Line
Navigate to your config directory
cd path/to/config
Compile and upload
esphome --dashboard run ./firmwareV5_Publish6Digit/led-digit.yaml --device OTA

Links
- Full documentation and code: https://github.com/kylemath/digitalclock
- Detailed build instructions included in the GitHub repository
- Thingiverse page - Alternative download location

Notes
- Basic soldering skills required
- Requires Home Assistant setup
- ESPHome knowledge helpful but not required
- Print time varies by model (2-8 hours depending on version)
- Ask chatgpt for help with any of these.

Happy printing! If you make one, please share your results!