LED RBG Matrix Screen - need help with what to order
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- Eswau
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:04 pm
LED RBG Matrix Screen - need help with what to order
I'm wanting to get my teenager one of the 64x64 LED screens. This not being my wheelhouse, I'm confused as to what exactly I need to order with it to make it work. He has an older Raspberry Pi that he uses with a RC car, but pretty sure nothing else. Could someone provide me a list of what I need to order in addition to the LED screen to put it all together as a project for a gift? Thank you in advance.
- blnkjns
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2020 3:33 am
Re: LED RBG Matrix Screen - need help with what to order
What is the purpose? If you want to code yourself and make things like bitmap games or clocks, then go microcontroller. I would suggest either a Feather or Metro M4, with the needed Matrix shield/wing. The M4 has the power to drive 64x64 at good FPS, it is easy to program in a variety of languages (Arduino C++, MicroPython, CircuitPython).
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3382
or with WIFI
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4000
or in Feather format:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857
To connect the matrix:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2601
or
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3036
Then pick any of the 64x32 matrices. I prefer using 2 of those instead of a single 64x64, as those usually have 5 pin adressing, not always working well with the shield/wing, and they have a wider variety of pitch 2,5/3/4/5/6 mm
You can daisy chain them easily.
For power, get a Mean Well 50W 5V PSU (LRS-50-5), not the suggested bricks here in the tutorials. A Mean Well is having the screw terminals you need to connect the spade connector cables that come with the matrix panels directly, sans mess. Obviously you need a matching mains cable for your wall socket, but feel free to cut one you already have. Beware the mains screws could be touched, not easy as they are recessed, but it is always a good reason to teach kids about dealing with mains and take safety measures.
But I cringe at connections like in this image:
Spade connectors in screw terminals. Yikes!
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3382
or with WIFI
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4000
or in Feather format:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857
To connect the matrix:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2601
or
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3036
Then pick any of the 64x32 matrices. I prefer using 2 of those instead of a single 64x64, as those usually have 5 pin adressing, not always working well with the shield/wing, and they have a wider variety of pitch 2,5/3/4/5/6 mm
You can daisy chain them easily.
For power, get a Mean Well 50W 5V PSU (LRS-50-5), not the suggested bricks here in the tutorials. A Mean Well is having the screw terminals you need to connect the spade connector cables that come with the matrix panels directly, sans mess. Obviously you need a matching mains cable for your wall socket, but feel free to cut one you already have. Beware the mains screws could be touched, not easy as they are recessed, but it is always a good reason to teach kids about dealing with mains and take safety measures.
But I cringe at connections like in this image:
Spade connectors in screw terminals. Yikes!
- Eswau
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:04 pm
Re: LED RBG Matrix Screen - need help with what to order
Thank you for taking the time to help me. My son is a computer engineer student and am getting him this for a project to play with.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.