2 months ago
- The author has used a custom alarm clock system since 2011, relying on a numpad for input and a screen to display time, with a music server to play audio at the set time.
- The old system had reliability issues: network dependency, music server failures, and ambient music playback problems, leading to the use of an iPhone as a backup.
- The author decided to build a new self-contained alarm clock, keeping the numpad but eliminating network and external component dependencies.
- Components include a Raspberry Pi 5, a 4-inch screen, a Yoctopuce light sensor, a numpad, knobs, and a USB speaker, all housed in a custom wooden box.
- The author detailed the woodworking process: cutting laminated wood, using jigsaw blades, sanding, spackling, painting, and assembling the box with hinges and screws.
- Challenges included mis-measurements, cable compatibility issues, paint mishaps, and finding appropriate hardware for thin wood.
- The final clock works: the numpad is clicky, the interface is intuitive, and the light sensor dims the screen, though backlight control remains a limitation.
- The author declared the project a success, noting lessons learned about painting, workspace, and woodworking tools.