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Project Notes

DS3231RTC/TimeDemo

Prints the system time synced from the RTC to the serial output

Notes

This is the most basic test an DS3231 RTC used to sync the Arduino system time. During setup, the clock is set from the RTC (setSyncProvider(RTC.get);). The rest of the sketch is just a simpe routine to send the date/time to the serial port.

Since the RTC is only used during setup, the RTC clock can actually be powered down or disconnected once the sketch is running.

All the required libraries may be installed from the Arduino IDE “Manage Libraries” or installed separately.

The RTC module I’m using is based on the DS3231 chip. It uses I²C for communications (analog pins 4 and 5).

This sketch is only using the very basic DS1307-compatible time functions, but the DS3231 has some interesting extra functions to explore:

  • digital temperatur sensor
  • two time-of-day alarms
  • programmable square-wave output

Construction

Breadboard

The Schematic

The Build

Credits and References

About LEAP#166 RTCArduino
Project Source on GitHub Project Gallery Return to the LEAP Catalog

This page is a web-friendly rendering of my project notes shared in the LEAP GitHub repository.

LEAP is just my personal collection of projects. Two main themes have emerged in recent years, sometimes combined:

  • electronics - usually involving an Arduino or other microprocessor in one way or another. Some are full-blown projects, while many are trivial breadboard experiments, intended to learn and explore something interesting
  • scale modelling - I caught the bug after deciding to build a Harrier during covid to demonstrate an electronic jet engine simulation. Let the fun begin..
To be honest, I haven't quite figured out if these two interests belong in the same GitHub repo or not. But for now - they are all here!

Projects are often inspired by things found wild on the net, or ideas from the many great electronics and scale modelling podcasts and YouTube channels. Feel free to borrow liberally, and if you spot any issues do let me know (or send a PR!). See the individual projects for credits where due.