I just got one of these 8x8 red LED matrix, and really like it and was wondering if (and how) I could connect multiple to the Arduino Uno.
Basically, I want to create an 8x64 or 8x[some multiple of 8] long LED strip that I can have text scroll across/up/down (like in this YouTube video).
I have mainly been using Arduino, and haven't gotten in to soldering (yet!) - is that something I would need to learn first? Or is there a way to "daisy chain" these LEDs together?
(Top) VCC, GND, DOUT, CLK and CS.
(Bottom) VCC, GND, DIN, CLK and CS
All the CLK must be connected, as well as all the CS, top or bottom, it doesn't matter. What does matter is the DIN and DOUT pins, the first DIN will come from the Arduino, and then all the rest get DOUT(first display) -> DIN(second display), then DOUT(second display) -> DIN(third display) ... and so on.
These do take a bit of power each, so having multiple connected will take even more so, what you should do is power them with a good 5V wall charger at +700mA .
To get them to work you can either write the code yourself using shiftOut() or one of the already made libraries. (Search arduino 8x8 Dot matrix library)
HazardsMind:
These do take a bit of power each, so having multiple connected will take even more so, what you should do is power them with a good 5V wall charger at +700mA .
How would I go about doing that? I don't have the wall charger, but have a 9V and a 4AA Battery holder. If I got the wall charger that would plug directly into my Arduino Uno - would that be enough, or is there some 'new' wiring to be done as well?
The wall charger would be just for the LEDs, but if you want to also power the arduino, you would need one that can output a little more than 7V @ 1A. You would also need a 5V regulator for the LEDs.
