Owner manual

PC-1 Instructions

PC-1 is controlled with two physical inputs: the rotary dial and the brass button. Turn the dial to choose a channel. Press the button to print that channel. Each channel can contain one or more modules, like weather, puzzles, notes, etc.

Quick Start

  1. Power on PC-1.
  2. Wait for the setup receipt to print.
  3. Connect your phone or computer to the printed PC-1-Setup WiFi network.
  4. Open http://10.42.0.1.
  5. Choose your home WiFi network and enter its password.
  6. After PC-1 connects, open http://pc-1.local to manage settings.

If setup fails, PC-1 will return to setup mode so you can try again.

Printing A Channel

  1. Turn the dial to a channel from 1 to 8.
  2. Press the button once.
  3. PC-1 will print the modules assigned to that channel.

You can edit channels, add modules, reorder modules, and schedule automatic prints from http://pc-1.local.

Quick Actions

Quick Actions give you access to common tools without opening the settings page.

  1. Hold the button for about 5 seconds.
  2. When the paper advances slightly, release the button.
  3. PC-1 will print the Quick Actions menu.
  4. Turn the dial to the action you want.
  5. Press the button to select it.
1Table of Contents
2System Monitor
3Reprint Setup Instructions
4Reset WiFi
5Factory Reset
8Cancel

The Quick Actions menu closes automatically after 2 minutes if no action is selected.

Reprint Setup Instructions

Use this if you need the setup WiFi name, Device Password, QR code, or setup address again.

  1. Hold the button for about 5 seconds.
  2. Release when the paper advances slightly.
  3. Turn the dial to 3.
  4. Press the button.

Reset WiFi

Use this if you changed routers, moved PC-1, or need to connect it to a different network.

  1. Open Quick Actions.
  2. Turn the dial to 4.
  3. Press the button.

PC-1 will print setup instructions and start setup mode.

You can also reset WiFi from the Network section in settings.

Factory Reset

Factory reset clears WiFi, channels, modules, saved settings, and device configuration. It does not remove the installed PC-1 software or built-in module types. PC-1 will reboot into setup mode.

Reset From The Button

  1. Hold the button for about 15 seconds.
  2. Keep holding until the factory reset receipt prints.
  3. PC-1 will clear settings and reboot.

Reset From Quick Actions

  1. Open Quick Actions.
  2. Turn the dial to 5.
  3. Press the button.
  4. Confirm by turning the dial to 1 and pressing the button.
  5. Turn the dial to 8 to cancel.

Changing Paper

PC-1 uses 58 mm thermal paper.

  1. Push on the bottom of the faceplate to release it from the magnets.
  2. Open the printer cover.
  3. Remove the empty roll.
  4. Drop in a new roll with the thermal side facing the print head.
  5. Pull a short tail of paper past the opening.
  6. Close the cover.
  7. Print any channel to test.

If the paper feeds but prints blank, flip the roll over and try again.

Settings Page

Visit http://pc-1.local while connected to the same WiFi network as PC-1.

From settings, you can:

  • Edit channels and modules
  • Print a channel or individual module
  • Set schedules
  • Change location and time settings
  • Reset WiFi
  • Change the Device Password
  • Check for updates
  • Export or import a configuration backup
  • Reboot the device

Device Password

The Device Password is used for settings login, setup WiFi, printed setup instructions, and SSH access when SSH is enabled.

Troubleshooting

  • If http://pc-1.local does not open, try http://10.42.0.1 while in setup mode, or check the IP address printed by System Monitor.
  • If online modules do not print, check WiFi and make sure the module is configured.
  • If prints are too long, reduce the Maximum Print Lines setting.
  • If PC-1 feels stuck, reboot it from settings or power cycle it.