How to add a second Adafruit 64 x 32 RGB Matrix Display to a Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[mkoo]

Basically, I'm wondering how I can connect an additional display to an arduino mega, in order to turn both displays into one huge monitor. Is there a way I can define the signal pins for the second display somewhere? I see that the output pins for the first display are defined in the library itself.

[dastels]

Typically the matrix displays get chained. IF the driver board supports it. Exactly what hardware are you using?

Dave

[mkoo]

I am using an Arduino MEGA. Currently, I am not using any exterior power supply as my only goal is to display single-colored digits. I can connect the first board and display large numbers.

[dastels]

Right. But what matrices and matrix driver?

Dave

[mkoo]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by matrix driver, but for the matrices, I have two 64 x 32 RGB Led Matrix 5mm Pitch.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2277

[dastels]

Using two of those will take 6.25K bytes of buffer space. As I recall the Mega as 8K so you might run out of memory depending on how much is used for other things.

For driver, mean something like https://www.adafruit.com/product/2601.

I noticed this on that page:

Please note our Arduino library only supports 32-pixel tall matrices, so don't try using a 64x64 matrix, it doesn't work!

You might be better off switching to a MatrixPortal https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745.

Dave

[mkoo]

Thank you, but how would i wire in the second display? I see that the signal pins for the top half and bottom half are not defined in the code itself, but I assume in the library.

[dastels]

The matrix should have come with a ribbon cable to connect the two together: output connector of the first panel to the input of the second, as indicated by the arrows next to the connectors. And power/ground will need to be connected as well.

The library should work if you set up a 128x32 display.

Dave

[mkoo]

Thank you. Do I just need to connect the ribbon cable and the power/ground for the second display to word? Is there any code I need in the Arduino IDE?

[dastels]

I see this on the matrix product page:

These displays are technically 'chainable' - connect one output to the next input - but our Arduino example code does not support this (yet).

So it looks like you may be on your own.

Dave