Example Code for Arduino-Read and Set Time

Last revision 2025/12/19

This article offers a comprehensive guide on utilizing Arduino to read and set the time using the DS3232 RTC module. It covers hardware components, software setup, and provides a sample code to demonstrate how to initialize the RTC, set the time, and retrieve current time and temperature readings. The detailed instructions and wiring diagram help users easily integrate the RTC module into their Arduino projects, enhancing the precision of time management in their applications.

Hardware Preparation

Software Preparation

Wiring Diagram

Wiring Diagram

Sample Code

/*!
 * @file getTimeAndTemperature.ino
 * @brief Show current time and temperature of chip
 * @n Experiment phenomenon: Set original time by users themselves and get real time and temperature from the chip
 *
 * @copyright	Copyright (c) 2010 DFRobot Co.Ltd (http://www.dfrobot.com)
 * @licence     The MIT License (MIT)
 * @author [LuoYufeng]([email protected])
 * @version  V0.1
 * @date  2021-2-23
 * @url https://github.com/DFRobot/DFRobot_DS323X
 */
#include "DFRobot_DS323X.h"

DFRobot_DS323X rtc;


void setup(void)
{
    Serial.begin(9600);
    /*Wait for the chip to be initialized completely, and then exit*/
    while(rtc.begin() != true){
        Serial.println("Failed to init chip, please check if the chip connection is fine. ");
        delay(1000);
    }
    /*!
     *@brief Set time output format
     *@param eHours_t:e24hours, e12hours. default is e24hours
     */
    rtc.setHourSystem(rtc.e12hours);
    rtc.setTime(/*year,1900-2100*/2021, /*mouth,1-12*/2, /*date,1-31*/28, /*hour,0-23*/23,/*minute,0-59*/59,/*second,0-59*/55);//Set Set initial time .

}

void loop() {
    Serial.print(rtc.getYear(), DEC);//year
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(rtc.getMonth(), DEC);//month
    Serial.print('/');
    Serial.print(rtc.getDate(), DEC);//date
    Serial.print(" (");
    Serial.print(rtc.getDayOfWeek());//day of week
    Serial.print(") ");
    Serial.print(rtc.getHour(), DEC);//hour
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(rtc.getMinute(), DEC);//minute
    Serial.print(':');
    Serial.print(rtc.getSecond(), DEC);//second
    Serial.print(' ');
    /*if rtc works in 24hours mode,this function doesn't print anything*/
    Serial.print(rtc.getAMorPM());
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    /*!
     *@brief Get current temperature
     *@return Current temperautre, unit: ℃ 
     */
    Serial.print(rtc.getTemperatureC());
    Serial.println(" C");
    delay(1000);

    /*!
     *@brief Judge if it is power-down
     *@return If retrun true, power down, needs to reset time; false, work well.
     */
    if (rtc.isLostPower()) {
        Serial.println("RTC lost power, please reset the time!");
    }
}

Result

The serial port prints the time information.
Result 1

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