This kit requires assembly!

You'll need to solder at least 46 through-hole pins! This product is also available as a pre-assembled kit, with all options soldered and ready to use - for a higher price!

Features

• Compatible with SmartMatrix and FastLED libraries!
  • Play animated .gifs (from SPIFFS) on your LED panel using Marc Merlin's AnimatedGIFs sketch!
  • Animate scrolling text (and more!) using SmartMatrix's FeatureDemo!
• ESP32 provides 2.4GHz Wifi/Bluetooth capability, and is Arduino compatible!
• The PCB connects all 16 pins needed to drive HUB75 panels using ESP32_FORUM_PINOUT from SmartMatrix library.
  • Compatible with 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 scan type HUB75 panels.
  • Supports multiple HUB75 panels daisy-chained in series!
• Two different ways to connect to your LED panel:
  • Output Mode 0: directly plug this PCB into your LED panel using 2x8 female pin headers.
  • Output Mode 1: connect this PCB to your LED panel via 16 pin IDC socket (ribbon cable not included).
• 3x5 = 15 pins broken out for additional use:
  • 3x GND
  • 3x 3.3V
  • 9x GPIO pins (8 with ADC!): for buttons, potentiometers, sensors, etc.!
• Optional two screw terminals to manage 5V power flow between ESP32 and your LED panels.
• Optional pads for one through-hole Electrolytic Capacitor (I use 1000uF) to smooth the 5V power.
• Optional pads for one 1206 SMD Ceramic Capacitor (I use 10uF) to enable the automatic bootloader. No need to press buttons to upload new firmware!

Please also read the limitations of my PCB to make sure there is no conflict with your project!

Example Projects

• FurretTotem: HE WALK! This cute little guy just keeps on walking. Large (128x64px) LED panel, battery powered, Wifi controlled.
• Project Mc2 LED Purse: Cheap children's toy you can harvest a good beginner panel from! I have several example sketches here for a variety of basic introductory projects!
• For more example projects and code, check out SOFTWARE.md!

Assembly Instructions

Some assembly required! (Soldering ~46 pins.) Full assembly instructions and more detailed information can be found here: ASSEMBLY.md

Hardware (BOM)

For a list of required and optional components, please see HARDWARE.md

Software

For links to software I recommend using with this board, please see SOFTWARE.md

Please note: my shield works with SmartMatrix library, not PxMatrix.

Powering your project

To find out the best way to power your ESP32 and LED panels, please head over to my power document: POWER.md!

PCB Design

Latest board revision is v1.1.

See CHANGELOG.md for more information about board revisions.

Included with every Tindie purchase

When you buy my board on Tindie, I will include these items. Store links are just in case you need more!

• My ESP32 HUB75 driver PCB, of course!
• Your choice of output connector:
  • Output Mode 0: Plug the PCB directly into the panel:
    • Female Pin Header 2x8: Amazon, AliExpress
  • Output Mode 1: PCB plugs into the panel via a IDC ribbon cable:
    • 16P IDC Socket: Amazon, AliExpress
• 1206 SMD Ceramic Capacitor (~1-10uF): AliExpress
  • Optionally use this to enable the auto-bootloader (no need to press buttons to upload new firmware)

Required components not included:

• ESP32-DEVKIT-V1: Amazon ($14 for 2)
• Any HUB75 type scan LED panel (E pin is connected, so should work with 1/32 panels too)
  • Looking for a cheap panel to get started? Check out the Project Mc2 LED Purse!
  • If you're using Mode 1, make sure you have a 16P IDC Cable (might have come with your panel): AliExpress, Amazon
  • Make sure you have a plan for how to power the panel! You might need a powerful 5V power source! See POWER.md for the different options I recommend.
    • 4-pin power cables for HUB75 panels (might have come with your panel): AliExpress
    • Alternatively, you can solder some random (thick enough!) wires to the power connector. Useful for low profile projects!