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6 – 12 Hours

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How to Build a Desktop Weather Station Using ESP32 and E-ink Display

Build a clean and minimal desktop weather station using an ESP32 microcontroller and a multicolour E-Ink display that fetches real-time weather data and monitors indoor temperature and humidity.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32-C3 Development Board with Berg Pins - Unsoldered Rs. 390.00
DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Sensor Module for Arduino Raspberry Pi Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
Passive Components (generic)
Transistors (BC547 / 2N2222 / TIP / MOSFET)
Diodes (1N4007 / 1N4148 / Schottky / Zener)
Header Pins / Terminals / Connectors
Custom PCB / PCB Fab
3D Printed Parts / Filament / Printer
HPP845E031R4 Temperature
ADP124ACPZ 3.3V LDO
LIR2450

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How It Works

This desktop weather station operates as a fully integrated IoT system powered by an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 microcontroller. The core processing unit connects via Wi-Fi to fetch real-time online weather data processed through the ArduinoJson library, while simultaneously reading local indoor conditions from the HPP845E031R4 temperature and humidity sensor. Once the environmental data is compiled, the system updates a 4.2-inch multicolour E-Ink display (E2417JS0D6) using the GxEPD2 and U8g2_for_Adafruit_GFX rendering libraries. Because E-ink displays only draw power when changing their visual state, the system achieves exceptional energy efficiency. Power management is handled by an on-board ADP124ACPZ 3.3V Low Dropout (LDO) regulator to supply stable operating voltage, alongside a MAX1898 battery charger IC designed to safely manage a rechargeable LIR2450 or LiPo battery. Support circuitry including MOSFETs, diodes, LEDs, and passive components coordinate power distribution, charging indicators, and peripheral switching across a custom-designed printed circuit board housed in custom 3D-printed parts.

Why Build This

Design and assemble a complete, custom IoT hardware product combining a microcontroller, local environmental sensors, and a low-power E-ink display.

Implement practical power management strategies including LDO voltage regulation and dedicated Lithium battery charging circuits.

Develop advanced embedded software skills by integrating Wi-Fi connectivity, JSON data parsing, and specialized display driver libraries.

Real-World Application

A convenient desk companion for monitoring both local indoor comfort and live outdoor weather conditions without the distractions of a smartphone or computer screen.

Skills You'll Learn

Wi-Fi IoT data fetching

JSON payload parsing

E-ink display driving

Low-dropout voltage regulation

Lithium battery power management

I2C environmental sensing

Custom PCB design

3D-printed enclosure integration

Safety Precautions

Exercise standard caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries and charging circuits.

Technology Tags

ESP32-S3

E-INK DISPLAY

WI-FI

OPENWEATHERMAP API

KICAD

PCB DESIGN

3D PRINTING

C++

ARDUINO IDE

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use an E-Ink display instead of a standard LCD or OLED screen?

E-Ink displays consume power only when the image changes, making them ideal for a desktop weather station that needs to display static information continuously without draining the battery rapidly.

How does the ESP32 get the weather data?

The ESP32-S3 microcontroller connects to your local Wi-Fi network to query online weather APIs, and the onboard ArduinoJson library parses the incoming data packets for display.

Can I power this project using a standard USB connection instead of a battery?

Yes, the circuit includes power connectors and a regulated 3.3V LDO design (ADP124ACPZ) that steps down voltage safely, though it also supports rechargeable LIR2450 or LiPo batteries managed via the MAX1898 IC.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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