Instead of using hands or digits to display the time, a word clock writes the time out – instead of the hands on ten and two it’ll show “It is ten past ten.” The best part is there aren’t many pre-built word clocks around and you usually have to build one yourself. A good thing that electronics kits exist!
The Personalized Word Clock Kit is one of those kits. While this kit doesn’t give you the “fun” of soldering 150 LEDs, it is a small, svelte clock that can sit on your desk. Because the LED matrix and shadow mask for the words are distinct, you can easily add a tiny bit of text to the top of this word clock. Theoretically, this word clock can also display the time in a language other than English.
This word clock kit uses an ESP32 to drive a 13×13 array of RGB LEDs. On top of those LEDs sits a 3D printed shadow mask that you will have to build. Lay a diffuser (a piece of paper) over this mask, insert it into the case, and you have a word clock. If you’re handy with programming, the clock can also be customized for various foreground and background colors, time of day and year messages, an alarm sound, and an ambient light meter to dim the lights at night.
This clock is available in two variants — a Personalized Word Clock PCB Shield that requires the end user to print the 3D case, baffle, and front panel. The most complete option is the Full Personalized Word Clock Kitset where techkiwigadgets will print all the parts and program the Wifi and timezone credentials.
