I have absolutely no idea what to do or where to start but I would like te learn and experiment with all the different controllers available on the market.
I want to build a single digital display that will show two separate tally counters and two separate count up timers in seconds and minutes. Not sure if it can be done?
The idea is to start, stop and clear the timers with one button for each timer. Let's say timer one, if you press the button it will start counting in seconds and minutes, if you press it again the timer stops and if you hold the button it will reset the timer.
For the tally counters, pretty much the same except the stop function, it should be able to count to 999, one click, one count and long press to reset the counter.
First define the requirements a bit deeper…
Size of display ?
Precision of timing lol. if seconds, then maybe +/- 50ms per displayed interval.
Distance between buttons and display?
Power source ?
Okay the idea behind this is to replace the two timers and click counters we use for angling. Most of us use these simple count up/down timers you buy from Temu, Aliexpress etc. that uses a AAA battery and the tally counters are mechanical. I want to integrate all these features in one unit and will be powered by battery as well.
I'm thinking LiPo batteries, two 18650 cells that can be recharged, maybe a charge controller and small solar panel on the lid of tackle box but either way, these cells will be in a cell holder that can be easily accessible to remove, recharged or replaced if faulty.
As for the display, anything relatively cheap and available. I saw these tiny displays on Temu, think they are 3 or 4cm 128x64 pixels but if I can get a little bit bigger then I'd probably go with 5 or 6cm display.
The timing, well not sure how accurate these timers are but most malfunction after a while. Hopefully this route will solve the issue.
As for the distance between the buttons and display, does it matter or does it affect the input/response?
I design and build tackle boxes, so for my next project I want to integrate this controller into the box. The display will be fitted in the front panel with the four buttons, the battery holder will be in the top compartment of the box and the controller underneath the top compartment where its protected from anyway liquids but will still have ventilation from the bottom drawers.
My preference is to go with as high a level of integration as possible because in small volumes, assembly cost dominates. That means looking for a module that combines as many of the features as possible.
Lilygo has some ESP32-based systems that combine a processor and display so you'd only need to add pushbuttons. Alternately they have touchscreens if you'd rather use that.
M5Stack has similar products. Both of these are arduino-programmable.
That said, if you don't mind soldering modules together, pretty much any arduino system can manage all that you need.
