How to Make DIY OLED Voltmeter using Arduino

Introduction

Are you interested in building your own voltmeter? Arduino, a popular open-source electronics platform, along with an OLED display, can help you accomplish this task. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to make a DIY OLED voltmeter using Arduino Nano. But before diving into the project, let’s first understand the key components involved – the Arduino Nano and the OLED display.

Explanation of DIY OLED Voltmeter using Arduino

Arduino Nano: The Mini Powerhouse

Arduino Nano is a compact yet powerful microcontroller board that serves as the brain behind numerous DIY projects. It is based on the ATmega328P microcontroller and provides 14 digital input/output pins, 8 analog input pins, and a 16 MHz quartz crystal oscillator. The small form factor makes it an ideal choice for projects where space is limited.

One of the standout features of Arduino Nano is its versatility. It can be programmed using the Arduino software, which allows users to write code in a user-friendly programming language similar to C++ or Java. The vast Arduino community also ensures that there are abundant online resources, code examples, and libraries available for various applications.

OLED Display: Crystal Clear Visuals

An OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display is a technology that consists of organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike traditional LED displays, OLED displays do not require a backlight, resulting in deeper blacks and higher contrast ratios. This makes the OLED display an excellent choice for applications that demand clarity and energy efficiency.

The key advantage of using an OLED display for a voltmeter project is the ability to showcase precise information with exceptional visual quality. OLED displays offer bright, vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making them easy to read even from different angles. Additionally, their low power consumption makes them perfect for battery-powered projects.

Features of OLED Display

Interface: I2C
Resolution: 128 x 32
Diagonal Screen Size：0.91″
Display area: 7mm x 25mm / Board Size 12.0mm x 39mm
Thickness: 4mm
Pixel Size (mm)：0.159 × 0.159
Technology: OLED Blue
Graphic Driver IC is SSD1306
Wide input voltage: 2.5V-5.5V

Pin Configuration of OLED Display

This OLED Display works on i2c communication, and it contains the following four pins:

SDA(Serial Data) carries the data.
SCL(Serial Clock) clock line. It is used to synchronize all data transfers over the I2C bus.
GND goes to ground pin
VCC goes to 5v

How to Make DIY OLED based Voltmeter using Arduino — **DIY OLED based Voltmeter using Arduino**

Circuit Diagram of DIY OLED Voltmeter using Arduino

This project can be designed using a few basic components. The circuit diagram of this project is shown below.

How to Make DIY OLED based Voltmeter using Arduino Circuit Diagram — **DIY OLED based Voltmeter using Arduino Circuit Diagram**

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Components List of DIY OLED Voltmeter using Arduino

Following is the list of all components used in this project:

1x ARDUINO NANO
1x OLED Display
1X 4.7K 2RESISTOR
1X 47K RESISTOR
1X PERF BOARD
JUMPER WIRES

Building the DIY OLED Voltmeter

Now that we have a good understanding of the Arduino Nano and the OLED display, let’s proceed with building our DIY OLED voltmeter using Arduino.

Gather all the material required before proceeding to build the project. A complete list of material is already provided above in the Components List section.

Step 1: Connect the Arduino Nano and OLED Display

Place the Arduino Nano on the board and connect its 5v pin to the positive supply and GND pin to ground.
Then place OLED Display Module on the board and connect its VCC pin to 3v pin of Arduino, GND pin to ground, SDA pin to A4 of the Arduino an SCL pin to A5 pin of Arduino Nano.
Now take a 4.7k resister and connect its one side to A0 pin of the Arduino while the other of the resister to ground.
Take one 0.1uf ceramic capacitor and connect it with A0 pin of Arduino and the other side to the ground.
Now take one more 4.7k resister and connect its one side to A0 pin of the Arduino Nano and the other side to Vin from where voltage to be measured.

So we have completed all the connections of the project. Now lets upload the code to Arduino and test the project.

Step 2: Prepare the Voltage Divider

A voltage divider is necessary to convert the higher voltage range to a level that can be measured by the Arduino. The formula to calculate the voltage divider ratio is as follows:

Vout = Vin x (R2 / (R1 + R2))

Where Vout is the output voltage, Vin is the input voltage, R1 is the lower resistor value, and R2 is the higher resistor value.

Choose the appropriate resistor values based on the voltage range you want to measure. For instance, if you want to measure voltages up to 12V, you can use a 10kΩ resistor as R1 and a 20kΩ resistor as R2. Connect the resistors in series, and then connect the junction between them to the positive terminal of the voltage source you want to measure.

Step 3: Calibrate and Display the Voltage

Upload the Arduino code for reading the voltage values to the Arduino Nano. Make sure to install the necessary libraries for proper functionality. With the code uploaded, the Arduino will read the voltage values from the voltage divider and display them on the OLED display.

Step 4: Connecting Libraries

You will need the “Adafruit_GFX.h” library and the “Adafruit_SSD1306.h” library to control the OLED display. Wire.h library allows you to communicate with I2C / TWI devices. By default this library is included in Arduino IDE.

Click on Sketch menu.
Select Include Libraries.
Go to Manage Libraries.
Search for ADAFRUIT GFX and install it.
Search for ADAFRUIT SSD1306 and install it.

Conclusion of DIY OLED Voltmeter using Arduino

Creating a DIY OLED voltmeter using Arduino is a rewarding project that combines the power of Arduino Nano and the visual clarity of OLED displays. With the help of these components, you can build a voltmeter that accurately measures voltage and provides clear information to the user.

The Arduino Nano serves as the central microcontroller, offering a compact yet versatile platform for DIY projects. Its extensive functionality and vast community support make it a popular choice among hobbyists and professionals alike.

On the other hand, the OLED display steals the show with its vibrant, high-contrast visuals and low power consumption. Its organic compounds emit light directly, eliminating the need for a backlight and enabling precise readings and a visually pleasing experience.

By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can easily build your own OLED voltmeter using Arduino. It’s an exciting project that not only enhances your electronics knowledge but also empowers you to take control of your own measurements. So gather the necessary materials, unleash your creativity, and embark on this delightful project today!

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