Character LCD Clock

A 16x2 LCD1602 character display with a real-time clock that shows the date, time, and temperature.

Source book: Clocks and Watches
Kit page: https://dmccreary.github.io/clocks-and-watches/kits/char-lcd-clock/
Printable one-pager: char-lcd-clock-one-pager.html

Features

• Uses the LCD1602 I2C Character LCD

Benefits

• Free, open lessons: the Clocks and Watches textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
• Classroom friendly: built on a solderless breadboard or no-solder connectors.
• Instant feedback: students see their code's results on lights or a display.
• Budget: about $17 (estimate: LCD1602 with I2C backpack about $5, DS3231 clock about $2, Pico W $5, breadboard $2, wires $1, USB cable $2).

Parts

• Raspberry Pi Pico ($4) — Microcontroller
• LCD1602 I2C Character LCD — Display
• 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) — Breadboard
• Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) — Power and programming cable