Marquee Scroller (Clock, Weather, News, and More)

NOTICE

The latest version of Marquee Scroller 3.01 works with ESP8266 Core 3.0.2 — if you are upgrading from Marquee Scroller 2.X version this may require you to enter in all your API Keys and settings. Always meake sure you have coppied all your API keys somewhere before updating. The ESP8266 Core 3.0.2 uses the newer FS (file system) that may require a fresh start on the configuration.
Make sure you update to the latest version of WifiManager library (link below).

• Removed Bitcoin features in 3.0

Features include:

• Accurate Clock refresh off Internet Time Servers
• Local Weather and conditions (refreshed every 10 - 30 minutes)
• News Headlines from all the major sources
• Configured through Web Interface
• Display 3D print progress from your OctoPrint Server
• Option to display Pi-hole status and graph (each pixel accross is 10 minutes)
• Basic Authorization around Configuration web interface
• Support for OTA (loading firmware over WiFi)
• Update firmware through web interface
• Configurable scroll speed
• Configurable scrolling frequency
• Configurable number of LED panels
• Options of different types of Clock Displays (display seconds or temperature) — only on 8 or more display panels
• Video: https://youtu.be/DsThufRpoiQ
• Build Video by Chris Riley: https://youtu.be/KqBiqJT9_lE

Required Parts:

• Wemos D1 Mini: https://amzn.to/3tMl81U
• Dot Matrix Module: https://amzn.to/2HtnQlD

Note: Using the links provided here help to support these types of projects. Thank you for the support.

Wiring for the Wemos D1 Mini to the Dot Matrix Display

CLK -> D5 (SCK)
CS -> D6
DIN -> D7 (MOSI)
VCC -> 5V+
GND -> GND-

3D Printed Case by David Payne:

Original Single Panel version: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2867294
Double Wide LED version: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989552

Upgrading from version 2.5 or Higher

In version 2.6 and higher, the binary files that can be uploaded to your marque scrolling clock via the web interface. From the main menu in the web interface select “Firmware Update” and follow the prompts.

• marquee.ino.d1_mini_3.01.bin - compiled for Wemos D1 Mini and standard 4x1 LED (default)
• marquee.ino.d1_mini_wide_3.01.bin - compiled for Wemos D1 Mini and double wide 8x1 LED display

Compiling and Loading to Wemos D1

It is recommended to use Arduino IDE. You will need to configure Arduino IDE to work with the Wemos board and USB port and installed the required USB drivers etc.

• USB CH340G drivers: https://sparks.gogo.co.nz/ch340.html
• Enter http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json into Additional Board Manager URLs field. You can add multiple URLs, separating them with commas. This will add support for the Wemos D1 Mini to Arduino IDE.
• Open Boards Manager from Tools > Board menu and install esp8266 Core platform version Latest 3.0.2
• Select Board: “ESP8266 Boards (3.0.2)” —> “LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 R2 & mini”
• Set Flash Size: 4MB (FS:1MB OTA:~1019KB) — this project requires FS for saving and reading configuration settings.
• Select the Port from the tools menu.

Loading Supporting Library Files in Arduino

Use the Arduino guide for details on how to installing and manage libraries https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Libraries
Packages — the following packages and libraries are used (download and install):

—> https://github.com/tzapu/WiFiManager (latest)

—> https://github.com/PaulStoffregen/Time

—> https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library

—> https://github.com/markruys/arduino-Max72xxPanel

—> https://github.com/squix78/json-streaming-parser

Note ArduinoJson (version 5.13.1) is now included as a library file in version 2.7 and later.

Initial Configuration

Editing the Settings.h file is totally optional and not required. All API Keys are now managed in the Web Interface. It is not required to edit the Settings.h file before loading and running the code.

• Open Weather Map free API key: http://openweathermap.org/ — this is used to get weather data and the latitude and longitude for the current time zone. Weather API key is required for correct time.
• TimeZoneDB free registration for API key: https://timezonedb.com/register — this is used for setting the time and getting the correct time zone as well as managing time changes due to Day Light Savings time by regions. This key is set and managed only through the web interface and added in version 2.10 of Marquee Scroller. TimeZoneDB key is required for correct time display.
• News API key (free): https://newsapi.org/ — Optional if you want to get current news headlines.
• Your OctoPrint API Key — optional if you use the OctoPrint status.
• Version 2.0 supports Chained 4x1 LED displays — configure up to 16x1 in the Settings.h file.

NOTE: The settings in the Settings.h are the default settings for the first loading. After loading you will manage changes to the settings via the Web Interface. If you want to change settings again in the settings.h, you will need to erase the file system on the Wemos or use the “Reset Settings” option in the Web Interface.

Web Interface

The Marquee Scroller uses the WiFiManager so when it can’t find the last network it was connected to
it will become a AP Hotspot — connect to it with your phone and you can then enter your WiFi connection information.

After connected to your WiFi network it will display the IP addressed assigned to it and that can be
used to open a browser to the Web Interface. You will be able to manage your API Keys through the web interface.
The default user / password for the configuration page is: admin / password

The Clock will display the time of the City selected for the weather.

Donation or Tip

Please do not feel obligated, but donations and tips are warmly welcomed. I have added the donation button at the request of a few people that wanted to contribute and show appreciation. Thank you, and enjoy the application and project.

Or — you can buy me something from my Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GINC2PHRNEY3

Contributors

David Payne
Nathan Glaus
Daniel Eichhorn — Author of the TimeClient class (in older versions)
yanvigdev
nashiko-s
magnum129

Contributing to this software is warmly welcomed. You can do this basically by forking from master, committing modifications and then making a pulling requests against the latest DEV branch to be reviewed (follow the links above for operating guide). Detailed comments are encouraged. Adding change log and your contact into file header is encouraged. Thanks for your contribution.

When considering making a code contribution, please keep in mind the following goals for the project:

• User should not be required to edit the Settings.h file to compile and run. This means the feature should be simple enough to manage through the web interface.
• Changes should always support the recommended hardware (links above).