Upgrading 03'-04' analog clock with smart clock
 

I thought I would put some info out there for anyone interested in building a decent clock for the 03'-04' G35. It has been the one thing in the dash that really bothers me and seems to be a waste of space for just hours and minutes. So I'm replacing Big Ben for a digital RTC clock. It will keep time if the battery is disconnected and will add seconds, date, time and temp if I want. It is based on the Arduino Nano micro controller and a 2.8" TFT screen. I am still playing with the code and have to get it mounted in the original clock pod to see how much display / screen space I will be able to use with the trim in place. The cost of parts was about $20 and I'll add more info as I go along with the project. Pinout, code, and part information will be added soon.

Parts list:
Arduino Nano (Can use others but will have to revise layout and code)
2.8" TFT LCD LED backlit
RTC / Temp board battery backed
10k Resistors (drop 5v logic for 3.3v LCD)
Diodes (protection / voltage drop / etc)
double sided PCB

Parts kit on ebay for about $22 shipped
LCD / Arduino Nano starter Kit (Ebay)


I used Arduino IDE version 1.8.8 for this project. Other versions will probably work too.

Library files to add:

Adafruit ILI9341 LCD Library
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_ILI9341
Adafruit Graphics Library
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library
DS3232 RTC Clock Library
https://github.com/JChristensen/DS3232RTC

Code so you can get started:

Clock 2.5 is written by Cee'z his build uses a mini pro and 1307 clock.. Link to his page: Cee'z Arduino Clock - I have modified it for the Nano, DS3231 clock, and 2.8" TFT. I also added "Infiniti" to the face.

Clock 2.5 edited code link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/edour8goix...ck2.5.zip?dl=0


Simpleclock is written by Slider2732 and also uses the mini pro, 3231 clock, 2.2 TFT. - I have modified it for the Nano, DS3231 clock, and 2.8" TFT.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h6y8zw8fzl...clock.zip?dl=0


Wiring info:

Arduino Nano ---- 2.8" LCD ----------------- DS3231 RTC
---------------------------------------------------
3V3 --------------> 2.8" LCD VCC ---------> DS3231 RTC VCC
GND -------------> 2.8" LCD GND ---------> DS3231 RTC GND
D10 -----10k------> 2.8" LCD CS
D9 ------10K------> 2.8" LCD DC
D11 -----10K------> 2.8" LCD MOSI
D13 -----10K------> 2.8" LCD SCK
D12 -----10k------> 2.8" LCD MISO
RST --------------> 2.8" LCD RESET
A4 ----------------------------------------------> DS3231 RTC SDA
A5 ----------------------------------------------> DS3231 RTC SCL

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...573d902768.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...c1a80135de.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...dcceea3c4e.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...bb62c804af.jpg

If you're going to do this it needs to be in ORANGE!

Personally I love the analog-looking clock in mine, but it's an '06 and the clock looks better sandwiched between the compass and outside temp.

I agree, my 05' isn't too bad. I thought about color matching the clock to amber/orange dash scheme, mostly because I don't feel like converting five thousand LED's in the dash. The cool thing about it being Arduino based is you can program it in 30 seconds to anything you want. It doesn't even have to be a clock. Also the 05' - 06' clock doesn't have as much room between the HVAC LCD's so I would have to use a different TFT panel.

Following. I was just thinking about doing something like this because my clock has bad leds and I am bothered by the wasted and prominent real-estate of an analog clock - and don't want to spend for a jdm digital just because jdm.

Added a bunch of stuff to the top if anyone wants to play. I still have to get the clock mounted in the stock clock cup and remove the power connector from the old clock board so it's Plug'n'play. I'm going to leave a USB hanging somewhere so I can reprogram it with different stuff as I go, It could be awhile before I get to any custom clock code with my 05' soaking up every extra hour I have to work on anything. I thought it might be cool for the clock to flash informational text during certain events like when it goes into boost or WOT could say "Engage Ludacris speed" or Warning Danger to Manifold" or just some funny crap to add to it.

Analog clock is part of the luxury. Pretty standard in a luxury car. But there's also a digital clock in my DD unit
Props for the work you put in. Something new I've never seen

I gutted the original clock and used a dremel to fit the 2.8" LCD in the cup. I have some more adjustment to go and will probably write the code to center it a little better. Looks like it will be a good addition to the dash when I finish it up. Added the pic to the #1 post up top