Hello!
A newbie to embedded systems and I came across this project and I wanted to make my own 32x32 LED Matrix. So far, I have been researching for two days and here is the list of items I plan to order (all from Adafruit):
- 32x32 RGB LED Matrix Panel - 5mm Pitch
- SmartMatrix SmartLED Shield (V4) for Teensy 3
- Break-away 0.1" 36-pin strip male header - Black - 10 pack – to attach to Teensy 3.6
- Teensy 3.6 without headers
- 5V 4A (4000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed –– to power the LED Matrix AND Teensy/Shield
- Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block ––
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I also plan to order the following: - Power Enhancer Cable – so that I can plug the two usb’s into a battery pack to provide 4.2A
- a USB to DC cable (any recommendations or can I just go with any?) to connect from Female USB to the Female DC Jack
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So far, the only two question I have are:
Powering the assembly:*
- I understand that I’ll get a cable with two plugs with the LED Panel — one of which will plug into the panel. Does the second plug remain unused?
- I will be getting a female DC Jack (with a 5V4A DC supply) and I will plug in the fork crimps from the LED Panel cable into the back of the DC Jack.
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- I can’t find fork crimps for connecting the male JST cable into the DC Jack. Can I just peel a little bit more of the JST cable (Black and Red wires) and plug in directly to the DC Jack? I see screws on top, which might help hold the cable. (similar to this setup: https://docs.pixelmatix.com/SmartMatrix/photos/SmartLedShieldV4Assembly/forkCrimp1.jpg)
Powering + Using SmartShield
- Assuming my DC Jack supplies power to the LED Panel and SmartShield (using the male to female JST connection) — can I plug in the teensy to my computer while it is mains powered?
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- the reason for my question is I’ve worked with Sonoff (loading tasmota through a serial connection) and instructions explicitly say that don’t plug in the Sonoff to the computer if it is mains powered. If I can connect the Teensy to my computer using a USB cable to load the sketch while it is Mains powered through the DC Supply Jack/male-to-female JST connection?
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So my connection finally will be:
LED Matrix:
Mains supply/Battery Pack Supply ––> DC Jack ––> fork crimps + included cable––> LED Matrix
SmartShield/Teensy:
Mains supply/Battery Pack Supply ––> DC Jack ––> direct plug in to male JST Cable ––> female JST cable to SmartShield/Teensy (I don’t need to power the Teensy separately if the SmartShield is powered through the JTSM connection correct?
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Final question: If I’m putting this in a hat or a t-shirt, would a 4mm pitch be better or 5mm pitch be better? I am hoping that my content will be visible from short and long distances.
Thanks again for helping out… here’s hoping I learn quickly because there’s lots of helpful documentation available!