niaev/cpu_display

Python script for displaying CPU usage and temperature in a LCD using I2C, for Raspberry Pi

cpu_display

cpu_display is a python script for displaying CPU usage and temperature in a LCD (16x2) using I2C module, for Raspberry Pi.

Requirements

Hardware

• Any Raspberry Pi model (I think so, at least, let me know if you have any trouble with your model);
• Liquid Crystal Display 16x2;
• I2C Module;
• Some cables

Software

For cpu_display to work in your Raspberry Pi, not depending on the operating system you are using, you may need to install some packages:

• lm-sensors
• python3-smbus
• python3-rpi.gpio
• i2c-tools

And enable I2C interface through raspi-config, following those steps:

• Type sudo raspi-config in your terminal
• Select "Interface Options"
• Select "P5 I2C"
• Select "Yes", to enable I2C interface

Installation

If you want cpu_display to work at startup or login, you will need to run setup.sh script. If you don't want to, you can just execute the main script alone:

./cpu_display.py

Requirements satisfied, you can now setup cpu_display, typing the following line in your terminal:

sudo sh setup.sh

setup.sh may need to edit /etc/rc.local, a file that requires superuser access, so don't forget the sudo command at the beginning.

Usage and how it works

The output of the script will be the following, if everything is correct with the requirements previously described.

[+] LCD detected!
[+] Writing information...

If you can see this output after running the script, your LCD is probably displaying stuff.

The info displayed is changed every 2 seconds. CPU temperature displayed is retrieved from the sensors command and usage is from /proc/stat, both are stored in a temporary file and then formatted into your LCD.

cpu_display's Issues

Problem with modules on non-RaspOS systems

Testing cpu_display.py script in Ubuntu 20.04 and RetroPie leads to ModuleNotFoundErrors like:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'smbus'

After installing smbus with pip3 install smbus, it leads to the error:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'RPi'

It's important to inform this at the documentation (useful link).