A simple clock powered by an ESP32, featuring an old-school VFD display for a retro aesthetic. This project syncs time via the internet, ensuring accurate and reliable timekeeping without manual adjustments.
Wi-Fi provisioning allows configuring and connecting the device to a Wi-Fi network without hardcoding credentials. This is especially useful for IoT applications, allowing users to set up Wi-Fi easily via a smartphone or another device.
It works using Bluetooth where the ESP32 creates a temporary access point or uses BLE to receive Wi-Fi credentials securely.
Espressif provides an official ESP BLE Provisioning app for iOS (and Android), enabling seamless Wi-Fi setup using Bluetooth.
This makes deployments more user-friendly, eliminating the need to reflash firmware for network changes.
Scan the QR code for setting up WiFi network.
The clock gets its time from the internet using NTP (Network Time Protocol), so you never have to set it manually! NTP works by asking a time server for the current UTC time and then adjusting the clock accordingly.
Since the ESP32 doesn’t have a built-in battery-backed clock, this ensures it always shows the right time, even after a restart or power loss.
You can configure your timezone in datetime.c. After that, just connect it to Wi-Fi, and it handles the rest! ⏰🌍
A VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) is a retro display tech that gives off a bright, high-contrast glow—just like the ones you’d find in vintage clocks, old-school radios, and cash registers. Unlike LCDs, it lights up on its own, so it's super easy to read in any lighting.
This project uses an SPI connection to talk to the VFD driver, meaning the ESP32 sends data over just a few wires to control what gets displayed.
Check Aliexpress or VFD display datasheet to learn more about the specifics.
This project specifically uses the XIAO_ESP32C3, a compact ESP32-C3 board that’s great for small builds but has some differences from other ESP32 models.
One key thing to note is that it uses different GPIO port numbers in ESP-IDF, so make sure to check the correct pin mappings before wiring things up!
You can check the arduino-esp32 project for the details or view vfd.h
