What is WipperSnapper

WipperSnapper is a firmware designed to turn any WiFi-capable board into an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device without programming a single line of code. WipperSnapper connects to Adafruit IO, a web platform designed (by Adafruit!) to display, respond, and interact with your project's data.

Simply load the WipperSnapper firmware onto your board, add credentials, and plug it into power. Your board will automatically register itself with your Adafruit IO account.

From there, you can add components to your board such as buttons, switches, potentiometers, sensors, and more! Components are dynamically added to hardware, so you can immediately start interacting, logging, and streaming the data your projects produce without writing code.

Parts

3MF files for 3D printing are oriented and ready to print on FDM machines using PLA filament. Original design source files may be downloaded using the links below.

Build Volume

The parts require a 3D printer with a minimum build volume of 50 (X) x 38 (Y) x 16mm (Z).

Case CAD 

The QT Py Terminal Block BFF fits into the bottom half of the enclosure. The top half of the enclosure snaps over the bottom half with access to the STEMMA QT port and the USB-C port on the QT Py.

Design Source Files

The project assembly was designed in Autodesk Fusion. STEP files are available in the CAD source zip file.

Electronic components like Adafruit's boards, displays, connectors and more can be downloaded from the Adafruit CAD parts GitHub Repo.

Populate Terminal Block BFF

Gently press a QT Py into the Terminal Block BFF's socket headers. It should feel flush, do not force the parts together.

Assemble The Bottom Case

Place the QT Py and Terminal BFF into the bottom case, ensuring the case's pegs line up with the Terminal BFF's mounting holes

Snap-fit Case Top

Align the snap fit nubs to connect the top of the case to the bottom of the case.

Pressing the case together, you should hear a "snap"!

Test-fit USB

Before continuing, ensure you can plug a USB-C cable into the case.

We'll use the QT Py's NeoPixel LED to visually indicate if it's freezing or scorching hot out.

The QT Py has a NeoPixel built in, highlighted on this picture, no soldering/wiring is required to connect it.

Select a location from the map, or enter your own location in latitude, longitude format.

While 40.6517,-84.00874 describes an exact location for a hyperlocal forecast - we'll need to refer to the location by name later in this guide. 

Give the location a name and click Create.

1. Set the Schedule

Every automation needs a trigger to tell it when to run.

• Trigger: Choose Schedule.

• Frequency: Set it to run Every Month, Every Day, and Every Hour.

• Minute: Set it to At minute: 0. This ensures your display updates at the top of every hour.

2. Check the Forecast

To get the minimum temperature it will be overnight, we'll first need a variable to store it.

• Create a new variable: Name it overnight-temperature
• Variable Block: Add an Set Variable block for the variable you just created

Next, set the variable to the weather forecast metric you want (overnight temperature).

• Weather Metrics: Select the Weather block.

  • Set the location (e.g., Brooklyn), the time to Today, and the metric to Overnight: Temperature Min.

3. Set the NeoPixel LEDs

Next, to check if it is going to freeze overnight and set the NeoPixel accordingly.

• Add a conditional block.

• Add a compare numbers block.

• Conditional Block

  • If: Set the comparison to <= 

    • Add a Get Variable Block and set it to the overnight-temperature variable.

  • Do: If it is going to frost overnight, use the Set block to change your QT Py NeoPixel to a blue hex color code to indicate frost, like #0047ff.

  • Else: If it’s not going to frost overnight, set the NeoPixel to #000000 (off). The light will only turn on when it's going to frost overnight.

4. Text Me!

With Adafruit IO+, you can receive text messages for alerts. It's easy to add this functionality into your action.

• Add a SMS Block.
• Set the message to something like:

  • 🌱 ❄️ Frost Risk Alert!

    Expected overnight min. temperature of {{ vars.overnight-temperature }}°C

    • For more information about setting the variable in the text block - check out this page.

When the project is plugged into USB power, the QT Py boots up, connects to your WiFi network and syncs with Adafruit IO.

When frost is in the overnight forecast, the front panel glows blue letting you know its time to bring in your plants overnight.

In addition to glowing blue, you should receive a text message. 

When the forecast does not call for frost overnight, the NeoPixels will not glow and you will not receive any text messages.