RTC + Clock Generator Module -- Easily add RTC to HW3 and more

[Ancyker]

I finished my RTC+CLKgen combo module. I have been debating on whether or not to post about it on here as I normally wouldn't for something that's kind of/basically is an ad but since there's no other option available to anyone to get this functionality easily I just wanted to let people know it exists. Since RTC just adds timestamps to the SD card's files it's pretty niche and I honestly don't expect many people to be interested but I want to keep true to what I said about intending to keep up support for prior hardware versions and revisions where it can be reasonably done rather than just moving on and abandoning them.

With that out of the way, this module is a drop-in replacement for the Adafruit-style clock signal generator but has the RTC IC on it. With it, you can add RTC to any OSCR that has the header for the clock gen, which I think might be all of them but I'm not 100% sure about that. Because it's a module it doesn't require any soldering, so it's an option even for people who bought a pre-built unit.

There are also 2 optional features it has which require soldering. It can take VBUS as an input via a jumper wire so if you leave your OSCR plugged in but turned off you can save your RTC battery by doing that. Another optional feature it has is it can output 3.3V up to 1A via the 3.3V voltage regulator which you could use to power the OSCR's 3.3V rail, which has a few potential uses depending on your hardware version and revision.

It might be a little controversial but I decided not to open-source it for a few reasons. A big one is it makes no sense to build your own as it would cost more than buying one. Another is it's pretty difficult to assemble it as it requires hot air, a reflow oven, or a hot plate -- you can't assemble it with just a soldering iron. It's also not worth it time-wise, putting this prototype together took over an hour:

But overall, the biggest reason was they were expensive to order even in a decent-sized quantity and I don't want China to copy them, especially with how slowly I expect them to sell. However, if at any point I decide to stop offering the modules I will release the project files so that people still have the option. Also, I'll provide the schematic as a PDF to anyone who purchases one and requests it, that way if you ever need to repair/modify it for some reason you know how things connect and all that.

It's quite a bit more expensive than I would have liked it to be at about US$14, but it's what it has to cost to make any sense. Keep in mind a genuine Adafruit clock gen costs about $8 and doesn't even come with the pin headers soldered on. This has all the same or better components plus the ones for the RTC, is a 4-layer board instead of a 2-layer board, was likely made in a much smaller batch, and has the pin headers soldered on for a true no-solder drop-in replacement.

Also, you can consider buying one as supporting the other stuff I make as any money made from my store is used to make more stuff and I actually prefer people buy something rather than donate so you get something in return. Anyway, enough of me feeling guilty for having to sell something... :3

If you are interested you can buy it from my US-based store or SaveTheHero's Japan-based store.

Finally, because I think they are kinda neat looking, here's a pic of some of the assembled panels that I ordered: