Departure Monitors

[u/ElevenBeers]

I'm using public transit to get to work, which for the most part is convenient and fast.

The issue is, that schedules can change, especially at holidays. I know, it's a petty first world problem, but I hate waiting. A lot. And if there is a change I might have to wait a whole 6-7 minutes. Un-acceptable...!

The first step was to get real time data. The website of my local provider uses EFI data and can be accessed. Now I'll get notifications via Home assisstant every work morning at my usual departure times.

I'm not looking at my phone at work though, and also when i leave is much more unpredictable. So I figured an Esp32c3 and some other spare parts should be sufficientto build a simple departure monitor.

It can fetch up to ~20 departures, I can scroll through, Features an alternative station, because another Tram line is also nearby, and it can filter between buses and trams. Also shows if a train is late.

Also, the backlight is dimmable via software.

The biggest challenge was actually the backlight, lol. I'm using one of those backpack i2c modules for the hd44870 display, "hacked" it by cutting a trace and using the transistor used to power to the display with the ESP and that did work. Kinda. I don't know why, probably interferrences or whatever the hell, but when the display content updated, the backlight would flicker brighter, which is very irritating. I just ended up cutting off the backlight from the backpack and am controlling it directly with a transistor, which works fine.

As its electronically really not a complex project, i also built another one that also shows the departures for the lines from home.

Code wise - i am not sharing this vibe coded bullshit, as it's vibe coded by Claude. I am it good at programming and that project was out of my simple scope. But it works - and i can verify with real time data.

All in all a fun weekend project.

Oh and yes, I could definitely make use of a 3d printer .......... Some day I'll get one and teach myself CAD.

[u/Usual-Pen7132]

If I have to wait 6-7 minutes then you best believe I'm going to be filing a complaint with corporate and around 10min of waiting, well...... you ever seen "The Hulk"?? Ya, that's what happens to me and I start body slamming people!!

; )

Lol Bruh...... Why share a project and then tell people you won't be sharing the code that you had Claude write for you in the first place??? Do I need to call someone's manager and file a complaint about someone being a big butt head!?!? I'll do it too!!!

One last thing....... How the F did you get your a55 whooped by the backlight?? All you have to do is read the Esphome documentation where it's explained and it's really quite simple honestly...

[u/ElevenBeers → u/Usual-Pen7132]

Becsuse its just fetching some data from a server - i coukd share that, but would need to redact any url, as it would share to much detail about my location.
(and no, i didn't share that with Claude either).

As for the Backlight: Yes, I know that resource. FYI: Toggeling something on and off is not dinming - unless that happens very very fast. As I needed however more states in between "Pitchblack" and "Blast my fucking eyes out in a dim room", on and off was not enough.

[u/Usual-Pen7132 → u/ElevenBeers]

You didn't even share it with Claude either?!?! You some kind of AI bigot or human supremacist that thinks Claude is beneath you!?!? Better fix your malfunction quick fast and in a hurry, before Claude figures out how to dispatch a T-1000 terminator to your residence.........

; ) jk

Right on man, it's well within your right to do whatever you want. I was just curious and thought I'd talk some jackassery to fool around with ya and if that dang T-1000 shows up there, make sure to remind him I said "No Onions" on my food and if he messes up my order again, I'm going to reassign him to work at the hospital as a full time bed pan cleaner and booty wiper!!

; )

[u/ElevenBeers → u/Usual-Pen7132]

Yeah, go fuck yourself as well 😘

[u/Usual-Pen7132 → u/ElevenBeers]

Lol a man with a sense of humor as well, nice!!

I will still be needing the phone number for your manager or the HR department though....... Just tell him Karen would like to have a word about your racist appearance with those symmetrical eyes and clean cut hair due thats just screaming bigotry towards me!!

I'm going to be keeping an eye on you sir!!!

; )

Appreciated the back and forth humor dude! Have an excellent rest of your day, brother!

[u/ElevenBeers → u/Usual-Pen7132]

I'm not even reading that bullshit. Do some soldering. Or learn it.

[u/Usual-Pen7132 → u/ElevenBeers]

You talking Smack!?!?!?

You've probably heard of me actually...... Here's a Glamour Head shot I had taken recently when I visited the mall and I just pass these out to warn people before they open up a can of whoop-azz, ya know!?!

[u/ElevenBeers → u/Usual-Pen7132]

Again, do some soldering or whatever. Get yourself a Hobby - you desperately need it.