DIY LED Matrix

If you have tried using an LED matrix, you know there are a lot to choose from. The problem is they all seem to have different pin outs. This kit allows you to build your own LED matrix, but the LEDs are not included to give you the option to choose the LED size and color. 10mm LEDs are recommended. Check out what others are saying about the DIY LED Matrix project build!

This LED matrix can be controlled from just three pins of an Arduino (not included). It is serially interfaced, so you can connect up to eight matrices on the same three pins of the Arduino. It is designed for anode row, cathode column. The top layer board fits 64 LEDs of 0.1" spacing and has a 2x8 pin header to connect to the bottom layer control board. The boards run on 5V and consume about 350mA per 8x8 panel at full brightness, so you will need to consider the total current consumption when choosing a power supply.

The control board features a Maxim MAX7219 LED driver and uses PFET and NPN transistors to switch the extra current required. There are input and output solder pads on two sides each to connect power, ground, and additional boards if desired. Since the MAX7219 can support brightness control through PWM, and the 10mm LEDs can handle up to 180mA when pulsed, the current limiter resistor of 47Ω was chosen for decent brightness. Resistor values from 20Ω to 160Ω were tested, so 47Ω should be suitable. Read the story that lead to this kit on the Jameco Workshop page.

The large QR code display that was made for the Maker Faire used 16 of these 8x8 matrices and a whopping 1024 LEDs! If you are thinking of going large too, you will also need some hookup-wire to connect the modules together, preferably 20 AWG stranded hook-up wire. Red and Black were used to differentiate power and ground lines. Two terminal blocks should be used to distribute the power from the supply to each board. (5A of current flowing through all the boards is not a good idea). 20 terminal block jumpers are used to bridge the terminals so that one block handles all the power lines and one block handles all of the ground lines. A 3/8" thick piece of plywood is a good sturdy backboard to mount everything to.

DIY LED Matrix Kit Includes:

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