Build guide
Building the WetterCube Next
The WetterCube Next is a small satellite display for the Fusion: an ESP32 CYD (“Cheap Yellow Display”) shows data from the Fusion. All you need is the ready-made board, no wiring is needed.
Important: WetterCube is a software project. I provide the software (firmware); you do the building yourself: you buy the matching board (for WetterCube and WetterCubePlus also the display), flash the firmware and design a case to your own taste. I try to offer matching cases for the individual cubes, but the focus is on the software. Finished devices are not offered. You find short build guides under Build guide.
In development: Fusion and Next are still in development (alpha). Errors can occur with the current versions.
WetterCube Next: only the described CYD. The software is meant for the ESP32 CYD ESP32-2432S028 (2.8", 320×240, ST7789). CYD boards differ depending on the vendor, for example in the display controller, the colours or the orientation.
Other boards are not supported and can cause problems. So buy exactly the named boards. As soon as more boards are available, board-specific versions are to be offered in the long term; there is no fixed date yet.
What you need
| Part | Type |
|---|---|
| Board | ESP32 CYD “Cheap Yellow Display” ESP32-2432S028 (ESP32 dual core, 4 MB flash, no PSRAM) |
| Display | 2.8", 320×240, ST7789 controller (SPI) |
| Touch | resistive (XPT2046); Next only uses tapping to turn pages |
| Power | USB (power and flashing) |
| Also | a WetterCube Fusion from v0.9.9-alpha6 on the same network |
Assembly
The CYD is not wired: just power it via USB. When buying, make sure it is the version with the 2.8-inch display (often sold as “CYD” or “Cheap Yellow Display”).
The usual CYD has an ST7789. If the picture looks wrong, change the controller, “Drehen” (rotate) and “Farben invertieren” (invert colours) in the web interface (restart needed).
Flash the firmware
- Open the web installer (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge only, because of WebSerial).
- Connect the board to the computer via USB-C, choose “Install” and follow the instructions.
Careful: the installation erases the CYD’s flash, including any foreign software on it and saved Wi-Fi data.
First setup
- The device shows “Einrichtung” (setup) and opens its own Wi-Fi “WetterCube-Next-Setup”.
- On your phone (or PC) open the Wi-Fi settings, look for “WetterCube-Next-Setup” in the list of available networks and connect to it. If the phone says that the network has no internet access, stay connected anyway.
- The browser now opens the cube’s setup portal by itself. If that does not happen, open
http://192.168.4.1in the browser. - There choose your home Wi-Fi, enter the password, optionally the address of the Fusion, and tap “Speichern und neu starten” (save and restart). Afterwards connect your phone to your normal Wi-Fi again (this usually happens by itself).
- Next looks for the Fusion via mDNS. If “Suche die Fusion…” stays on screen, enter the Fusion’s address in the web interface (
http://wettercube-next.local, section Fusion). - In the web interface open the section “Räume” and tick up to four sensor values.
Case
You design or print a case to your own taste. Notes and files will follow as soon as they are ready.
What next
Language and region: The WetterCube project is currently only available in German. Because the weather data for warnings, pollen forecast and bio-weather comes from the German Weather Service (DWD), it currently only works completely in Germany. A translation into English and weather information usable worldwide are planned, but there is no fixed date yet.