IoT Weather Indicator

The IoT Weather Indicator allows for the user to easily access information regarding the weather of the day. Code is run through particle.io and is sent to LED lights that change according to weather transitions.

Engineer

Sofie H

Area of Interest

Mechanical Engineering / Chemical Engineering

School

Carlmont High School

Grade

Incoming Junior

First Milestone: Completion of Basic Coding and Electronic Set Up

For my first milestone, I completed the basic set up of my IoT Weather Indicator. To begin, I entered a sample code into particle.io to ensure the functionality of the LEDS. I ran into some issues in the electronic set-up, because the way I connected the wires did not create continuity. Afterwards, I adjusted the circuitry by adding buttons, and ran a sample code to test that as well. Once I was able to successfully work both codes, I used the code to connect my particle to IFTTT and change the LEDS based on weather.

LED Breadboard Set Up

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Breadboard DrawingThis is the basic breadboard set up for the first code. The LEDs are strung up accordingly, and the drawing provides explanations for why each wire is connected where.

LED Code

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LED Test CodingThis is the code I used to originally hook up my LEDs to check their running capability. I ran into a couple issues with wiring, because the wires themselves were really fragile and I made them unnecessarily complicated. However, I just rearranged the wiring so it was not in such a difficult position both for the wires themselves and for troubleshooting, after fixing those, it ran smoothly.

Button Code

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Button CodeThis is the code I ran after wiring a button to the breadboard. I needed to rearrange some of the code, as it was designed for one singular LED on an Arduino, as opposed to an LED strip on a particle. It was an extremely basic code, with the only function being to turn the LEDs on. The only complication I ran into was trying to combine the LED code with the original Arduino code to make it function.

Result of Completed Set Up

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Completed Set UpThis is the result of the working circuit board after it is connected to IFTTT. The green button turns on the string of LEDs, and the red one turns it off. It changes automatically whenever the weather in my given location changes, turning to the color associated with with the weather condition.

In my first milestone, I accomplished getting the basic hardware for the buttons and LEDs set up on the breadboard. I also accomplished getting the initial software using IFTTT up and running, so that the LEDs can change colors every 15 minutes or so.

Second Milestone: Modifications to Original Design

For my second milestone, I focused more on updating the software for better functionality. I used an API from a more sophisticated weather website called Open Weather Maps. This software gives more frequent and accurate information about the weather in a specific area. I also made the modification of adding sunrise and sunset times, so that the LEDs would change colors a given time before sunset. I ran into some issues running the code because I needed to use a more “brute force” method to connect Particle to the API, but once I was able to code the substrings, everything worked.

Substring Code

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Substring CodeThis is the code I used to pick up on certain strings from the raw code that comes from the Open Weather API. It works by picking up the first string it is declared to, and the last character. I then went and attached certain conditions within the raw code to the LEDs.

Raw Weather Code

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Information from API to ParticleThis is the information that the Open Weather API sends to my Particle console. Using the substrings, I directed this information so that it would change the LED colors depending on the information it inputs.

In my second milestone, I accomplished a bunch of software updates to make the function of my weather indicator a lot stronger. I was able to make the weather conditions a lot more nuanced, so there are a lot more conditions and colors than there originally were. Also, with Open Weather Map, it updates far more frequently.

Final Milestone: Physical Design Completion

The remainder of the time I spent on this project was spent updating the hardware and completing the physical design. I set up a jar with cotton balls to look like clouds, so that the LEDs would look good when lit up. I also made the wiring that was originally on the breadboard more permanent by soldering the wiring. I ran into some issues when soldering, as the wires were very fragile and I had to be careful where I put the solder. Also, I ran into some issues trying to drill a hole in the top of the jar to allow the particle to have a power source. However, after I fixed those issues, everything was complete.

Soldered Board

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Soldered BoardThis is the final board after I soldered it. All of the wiring is underneath, and this part is under the lid of the jar, so that when I lift the jar lid, I can press the buttons with easy access.

Soldered Board with Coded LEDs

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Final Coded LEDsI attached the soldered board to the web to make sure that it was functioning correctly, and it was. This is the information showing that the weather outside was clear.

Final Set Up

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Final Set UpThis is the completed hardware of my Weather Indicator. The wire that attaches to a power source comes out of a hole I drilled in the lid of the jar. The soldering is under the jar lid. I put cotton balls in it to make it look like clouds were inside the jar.

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