Web3 Pi Dashboard — Python LCD Application

This repository's main branch contains the Python Web3 Pi dashboard, launched by hwmonitor.py and managed as w3p_hwm.service. It shows Raspberry Pi system metrics, Web3 Pi installation progress and Ethereum client status from the original InfluxDB integration.

For the Rust LCD application used by Web3 Pi vOS, see Web3-Pi/web3-pi-lcd. That project builds the w3p-hwm binary and uses w3p-hwm.service. The rust and Web3-Pi-vOS branches here contain earlier Rust development; the instructions below apply to the Python implementation on main.

The display fits the Argon Neo 5 enclosure using the included printable cover. The open hardware files, wiring guide and application source can be adapted for other builds.

Requirements

• Python >= 3.9
• Raspberry Pi with Linux, SPI/GPIO access and systemd for service installation
• SPI interface enabled before starting the display
• 1.69" LCD display with ST7789V2 Driver
  • Waveshare 24382 - product page
  • Seeed Studio 104990802 - product page
• (Optional) 3D printed model of Argon Neo 5 cover
• (Optional) Argon Neo 5 enclosure

The original Web3 Pi installation log and InfluxDB data are required for the installation and Ethereum-client status views described below.

Assembly

1. Connect wires

Connect the display to the Raspberry Pi according to the diagram below.
The colors of the cables may vary depending on the supplier and batch. Focus on the function and pin number, not the color.

Diagram is valid for Raspberry Pi 4 and Pi 5

If on Raspberry Pi 5 your LCD backlight is flickering connect BL to 3.3V PIN 17

2. Mount display module

Mount the display in the printed enclosure cover. The display is held in place by four clips. Make sure all 3D printing support residues are removed and the surface to which the display adheres is flat. Install the display by sliding one side under the clips first, then pressing the other side down. Do not use excessive force to avoid damaging the display. The display should fit in easily.

Since each 3D printer may be calibrated differently, it may be necessary to adjust the scale of the 3D model in the slicer software before printing. Our prints are done on Original Prusa i3 MK3S+.

3. Mount enclosure cover

Mount the enclosure cover and secure it with two screws. Make sure to arrange the cables inside the enclosure so they do not obstruct the fan and minimize interference with cooling.

Installation

Enable SPI using the SPI guide and reboot if you changed the boot configuration. On a Debian-based Raspberry Pi system, install the launcher prerequisites and clone main:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install git python3-venv python3-pip

git clone --branch main https://github.com/Web3-Pi/web3-pi-dashboard.git
cd web3-pi-dashboard
chmod +x run.sh create_service.sh remove_service.sh

run.sh creates venv/ in the checkout, installs requirements.txt, then runs hwmonitor.py. It installs the Python packages on each launch, so allow network access for dependency resolution. It does not install the OS prerequisites itself.

Keep this checkout at its installation path. The generated service points to its run.sh; fonts and images are loaded from font/ and img/. This Python launcher does not use the Rust project's single-binary installer.

Run as a service

From the repository root:

sudo ./create_service.sh

The helper creates /etc/systemd/system/w3p_hwm.service, enables it at boot and starts it. It refuses to create a unit that already exists. After changing Python source or configuration, restart the existing service:

sudo systemctl restart w3p_hwm.service
sudo systemctl status w3p_hwm.service

View logs with sudo journalctl -u w3p_hwm.service -f. To stop it, run sudo systemctl stop w3p_hwm.service. To remove the service, run sudo ./remove_service.sh from the checkout; the helper stops/disables the unit and removes its systemd file, while keeping the source and local assets.

Run in the foreground

Use one display process at a time. If the service is installed, stop it first:

sudo systemctl stop w3p_hwm.service
sudo ./run.sh

On a fresh checkout with no service installed, run only sudo ./run.sh. Press Ctrl+C to stop. The application needs access to the Raspberry Pi's SPI and GPIO devices.

Data Sources and Configuration

Display data	Source in this branch
CPU, temperature, RAM, swap, disk and network metrics	Local readings in hwmonitor.py
Installation progress	Last JSON line in /opt/web3pi/status.jlog
EXEC / NODE / CONS status	InfluxDB queries in db/InfluxDBConnection.py
Fonts, background and animation frames	font/ and img/ in this checkout

The normal dashboard is shown when the installation log reports stage: 100. A missing or unreadable log does not mean installation is complete; the program keeps the installation state unresolved. Check this integration when adapting the application to a system that does not produce the original Web3 Pi log.

The InfluxDB integration reads active_percent from status_exec, status_node and status_consensus, filtered by a host tag ending in _s. Connection settings and polling intervals are in hwmonitor.py, with queries in db/InfluxDBConnection.py. The current constructor passes the Raspberry Pi's hostname as both the database host and the basis of the tag filter; editing the separate host constant alone will not change that call. Review both when using a different database host or data schema.

The display driver uses SPI0 CE0 (/dev/spidev0.0) with BCM GPIO 27 RST, 25 DC and 18 BL, configured in lcd/lcdconfig.py.

Customisation

In hwmonitor.py, there is a flag SHOW_PER_CORE that determines whether the CPU usage percentage should be in the range of 0-100% or 0-400%.

0-400% represents the summed load of each core in the Raspberry Pi.

# Choose how to display CPU usage percentages
SHOW_PER_CORE = False
# False = [0 - 100%]
# True  = [0 - 400%]

Restart the service after changing this Python setting:

sudo systemctl restart w3p_hwm.service

3D Model

The models are free, so anyone can print them on a 3D printer.

Download the 3D model files.

3D Printing

We recommend printing with PETG filament due to the high operating temperatures of the Raspberry Pi.
To ensure the snap-fits print correctly, enable 'supports everywhere.'
Use a 0.4 mm nozzle.
0.2 mm layer height or smaller.
Our models are printed on Original Prusa i3 MK3S+

If you do not have access to a 3D printer, you can order an online print from one of the providers such as JLC3DP.
The original print notes list these process/material options:

• FDM - ABS, ASA or PA12-CF
• MJF - PA16-HP Nylon
• SLS - 3201PA-F Nylon

Releases and License

The release workflow runs for v* tags and packages the Python application with Nuitka on an ARM runner. Its ZIP contains hwmonitor together with font/ and img/; keep those asset directories next to the executable and run it from that directory.

See LICENSE for the project license. Bundled components retain their own license notices.