Real Time Clock Module - RV-8803 (Qwiic) Hookup Guide

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Contributors: El Duderino, Englandsaurus
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Introduction

The Real Time Clock Module - RV-8803 (Qwiic) is a Qwiic-enabled breakout board for the RV-8803 RTC module. The RV-8803 boasts some impressive features including a temperature compensated crystal, extremely precise time-keeping, low power consumption, time stamp event input along with a user-programmable timing offset value. It even has a programmable Clock Output to control precise timing for peripheral devices. The RV-8803 also has an improved I2C interface compared to the RV-1805 RTC that removes the need to sequence commands/writes to the device. This is particularly helpful if you are not using our Arduino Library to control the RTC.

SparkFun Real Time Clock Module - RV-8803 (Qwiic)

SparkFun Real Time Clock Module - RV-8803 (Qwiic)

BOB-16281
$17.50
2

In this hookup guide we will go over the unique features of the RV-8803 along with some Arduino examples demonstrating how to use those features. By the end of this tutorial you will have your Real Time Clock Module - RV-8803 (Qwiic) configured and tick-tocking away (well, ticking, maybe not tocking) for your next time-keeping project!

Required Materials

To follow along with this guide you will need a microcontroller to configure and communicate with the RTC Module breakout. Below are a few options that come Qwiic-enabled out of the box:

SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32 WROOM (Micro-B)

SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32 WROOM (Micro-B)

WRL-15663
$22.50
14
SparkFun Qwiic Pro Micro - USB-C (ATmega32U4)

SparkFun Qwiic Pro Micro - USB-C (ATmega32U4)

DEV-15795
$21.50
11
SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

DEV-15123
$21.50
20
SparkFun RedBoard Artemis

SparkFun RedBoard Artemis

DEV-15444
$21.50
10

If your chosen microcontroller is not already Qwiic-enabled, you can add that functionality with one or more of the following items:

SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

KIT-15081
$8.95
22
SparkFun Qwiic Adapter

SparkFun Qwiic Adapter

DEV-14495
$1.60
5
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino

DEV-14352
$7.50
9

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano

DEV-16130
Retired

You will also want at least one Qwiic cable to connect your RTC to your microcontroller.

Qwiic Cable - 100mm

Qwiic Cable - 100mm

PRT-14427
$1.50
Qwiic Cable - 50mm

Qwiic Cable - 50mm

PRT-14426
$0.95

Qwiic Cable - 200mm

PRT-14428
Retired

Qwiic Cable - 500mm

PRT-14429
1 Retired

Some of the examples demonstrate how to use more than just the I2C pins. If you want to follow along with them you will need to solder to the EVI, INT, CLKOUT and CLKOE pins broken out on the board. Click the button below to see some recommended soldering tools and materials if you need them.


Finally, if you want to fine tune the RV-8803's oscillator for extremely precise time keeping you will need to use an oscilloscope or logic analyzer to calibrate it. Click the button below to see some options for oscilloscopes and logic analyzers if you need one.

Suggested Reading

If you aren't familiar with the Qwiic system, we recommend reading here for an overview:

Qwiic Connect System
Qwiic Connect System

We also recommend taking a look at the hookup guides for the Qwiic Shields listed above if you plan on using one of them. Brushing up on your skills in I2C is also recommended as all Qwiic sensors communicate via I2C.

I2C

An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

Qwiic Shield for Arduino & Photon Hookup Guide

Get started with our Qwiic ecosystem with the Qwiic shield for Arduino or Photon.

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano Hookup Guide

Hookup Guide for the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano.

SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus Hookup Guide

A short guide for assembling and using the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus.