1/3/2026 12 PM - Wired everything, and set up

I wired the esp32 to the tft display to it's able to display time. I then connected it to a matrix keypad so I can type in the numbers and adjust anything. I also connected two matrix switches for the start and cancel. I then used some AI help to connect the esp to the WiFi, after some troubleshooting with the 2.4g I got it to work. Right now I'm trying to get it to parse the website and find my total time from my journals!

1/3/2026 2 PM - Re direction

Scrapping the website for my construct time didn't work because of 1.you have to be logged in to view it 2.tge data is so huge to parse thought and 3.there is no API. This put me in a dead-end so I then switched it and worked on making a two player one button each game. I had AI help me complete this. After all the visual bugs were fixed I tested the games out and they worked!

2/28/2026 10:15 AM - Start PCB and reaserch

I first found lots of parts on aliexpress to see what I can work with. I found a tft screen, a cheap microcontroller, rotary encoder, and three switches which I already have.

Next part I put all the components in and tried to connect them as best as possible. I had to find a correct footprint from another project online. This part took so long because I had to see which pins connect to which. Finding and actually importing the custom screen footprint also took long.

2/28/2026 10:52 AM - Finished PCB

I routed everything in the pcb. I had to go back to the schematic because I left a pin unconnected. I will now move on to the case. I will also try to make the case next

2/28/2026 4 PM - Finished adding 3d models to pcb and making the full case.

I started by finding 3m models of the parts online and adding them into kicad, I did this process for all 6 components. The switch one took a bit to find but I got it. I then tried importing the full pcb with model into fusion but that crashed, so I switched to onshape. I made the case with precise measurements and -+0.4mm tolerance. The pcb sits nicely and has room below for header pins. I added cutouts in the lid and make hexagons in the corners to keep the lid in place. I then made a base for the thing to set at an angle. I started added parts and changing it till I liked it. I then also added a knob for the encoder

I was too locked in a forgot to journal, but I tried to take pictures along the way!

3/1/2026 11:40 AM - Started to clean up

I started this journal by researching different parts I need on AliExpress. I found the right microcontroller and screen. I also wanted a buzzer and learned the difference between a passive and active buzzer. I found a battery charging module for $1 and paired it with a battery. After that I worked on my BOM and put it on github

Cad

I cad to change the design after uploading it on github a total of two times. The first time I had to change the lid of the case to fit the buzzer, so I made a hole for it. Second I had to add the side mount for the charger and battery. I uploaded the correct files, assembly, and link to github.

PCB

As I said above, I had to go back add the buzzer, and fix some DRC errors. I found out the I also had two intersecting traces

Github

I worked on github and made the read me, I added also the kicad files there too!

3/1/2026 11:43 AM - Rendering, final touch

I tried rendering in onshape but that was paywalled. I downloaded a 3mf file and colored it in fusion. I played arounf with metalics and lights. I tried adding a decal to the screen but that somehow failed too. I switched to just a light for the screen. This was a very fun process!