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https://github.com/drmboga/weatherstation
An ESP32 based home weather station which measures the current temperature, fetches weather forecast and shows everything at the LCD display.
https://github.com/drmboga/weatherstation
cplusplus cpp csharp electronics esp32 home-assistant home-automation iot platformio weather-app weather-station
Last synced: about 17 hours ago
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An ESP32 based home weather station which measures the current temperature, fetches weather forecast and shows everything at the LCD display.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/drmboga/weatherstation
- Owner: DrMboga
- License: mit
- Created: 2024-11-28T17:02:38.000Z (3 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-12-20T12:15:21.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-12-20T13:26:33.988Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: cplusplus, cpp, csharp, electronics, esp32, home-assistant, home-automation, iot, platformio, weather-app, weather-station
- Language: C#
- Homepage:
- Size: 1.27 MB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Home Weather Station
An ESP32 based home weather station which measures the current temperature, fetches hourly weather forecast and shows everything at the LCD display.
---
## Project Overview
The **Home Weather Station** uses an ESP32 microcontroller to collect and display data. A 16x2 LCD shows:
- Temperature and humidity in three rooms of my apartment.
- Outdoor temperature and humidity.
- Hourly weather forecasts (e.g., "Sunny," "Rainy," or "Cloudy").
The system integrates hardware, a custom backend, and third-party APIs to ensure seamless functionality.
---
## Hardware Components
- [ESP32 board](https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/esp-32-dev-kit-c-v4)
- [Multiplexer](https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/tca9548a-i2c-iic-multiplexer)
- [GY-21 sensor](https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/gy-21-temperatur-sensor-modul)
- [DHT-11 sensor](https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/5-x-dht11-temperatursensor)
- [LCD](https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/16x2-lcd-blaues-display)
### Sensors and Connectivity
The system collects environmental data using four sensors:
1. **DHT-11 Sensor:**
- This sensor is connected directly to the ESP32 via a GPIO pin and placed outside the apartment window to measure outdoor temperature and humidity.
2. **Three GY-21 Sensors:**
- These sensors monitor indoor conditions in three rooms.
- All GY-21 sensors share the same I2C address, which typically causes a conflict when connecting them to the same bus.
### I2C Multiplexer TCA9548A
To resolve the address conflict of the GY-21 sensors, the system uses the TCA9548A I2C multiplexer. This device allows the ESP32 to switch between its ports, enabling communication with each sensor sequentially. Here's how it works:
- The multiplexer creates 3 independent I2C channels.
- The ESP32 activates one channel at a time, isolating the selected sensor.
- Data from all three GY-21 sensors can be read sequentially without interference.
The TCA9548A is crucial for enabling multiple identical devices to coexist on a single I2C bus, making it an essential component in this project.
### Display
The **16x2 LCD screen** serves as the user interface, showing real-time data such as:
- Indoor and outdoor conditions.
- Current weather forecast.
The clear and simple display ensures the station is easy to read at a glance.
### Enclosure
To house the components, I built a custom enclosure out of Lego bricks. This design offers:
- **Protection:** Safeguards the ESP32, multiplexer, and display from damage.
- **Flexibility:** Allows easy access for upgrades or repairs.
- **Aesthetic Appeal:** Adds a fun and personalized touch to the project.
The sensors are connected to the ESP32 using old patch cables, which provide a reliable and flexible way to extend their range.
### Connection scheme
---
## Software Architecture
### ESP32 Firmware
The ESP32 is the brain of the operation. It communicates with the backend over WiFi and performs the following tasks:
1. **Data Collection:** Reads sensor data at regular intervals.
2. **Data Transmission:** Sends the collected data to the backend using a **POST** request every 6 hours.
3. **Forecast Retrieval:** Requests hourly weather forecasts from the backend via a **GET** request and displays them on the LCD.
The firmware is designed to be efficient and robust, ensuring smooth operation even over extended periods.
### Backend System
The backend is a **.NET Web API** application hosted on a local Linux server. It manages three main tasks:
1. **Storing Sensor Data:**
- A POST endpoint receives data from the ESP32 and stores it in a PostgreSQL database. This creates a historical log of temperature and humidity readings for future analysis.
2. **Providing Hourly Forecasts:**
- A GET endpoint retrieves hourly forecasts from the **AccuWeather API** and returns them to the ESP32.
- By leveraging AccuWeather's free tier, the system stays within the 50 requests per day limit while maintaining accuracy.
3. **Sending Daily Summaries to Telegram:**
- A scheduled job runs every morning to:
- Fetch the latest sensor readings from the database.
- Retrieve a 12-hour weather forecast from AccuWeather.
- Compile this data into a summary message.
- Send the message via the **Telegram Bot API** to a subscribed channel.
This integration ensures that I get an automated weather summary on my phone every morning.
---
## Code and deployment
- [Here is the Platform IO project with sketch for ESP32](./Esp32/)
- [Here is the backend .net project](./backend/)
- [Here is a small "HowTo" for creating a Telegram bot and using it via API](./backend/telegram.md)
- [Here is some instructions how to set up a home server using Linux](./backend/deploy.md) (In my case this is a Raspberry Pi 4 board computer)
---
## Daily Benefits
The **Home Weather Station** has become an invaluable tool in my daily life:
- **Real-time Monitoring:** The LCD provides up-to-date information about the conditions inside and outside my apartment.
- **Hourly Forecasts:** Help me plan activities based on expected weather changes.
- **Morning Summaries:** A Telegram notification delivers a convenient summary of the day’s conditions and forecast.
These features make the station both practical and easy to use.
## Final Thoughts
The **Home Weather Station** has been a rewarding journey into the world of IoT. Combining hardware and software taught me new skills and gave me a practical tool for my everyday life. Whether you’re an IoT enthusiast or looking for a new DIY challenge, I hope this inspires you to build something similar.