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Raspberry Pi 2 and an 8×8 LED matrix

by shedboy71

As part of my arduino/general microcontroller development I purchase a variety of interesting boards and modules, oneof these is a 8×8 LED array which is controlled by a MAX7219. these modules are low cost and are nice for beginners level projects, you can display text, numbers and characters amongst other things.

Here is a typical module

max7219 8x8 matrix

max7219 8×8 matrix

To make life easy there is a python module already available with a couple of examples. Open up a console window and type in the following

git clone https://github.com/rm-hull/max7219.git
sudo python max7219/setup.py install

You connect the module to you Raspberry Pi as follows, the Gnd (39) is for a Raspberry Pi 2. You can use another Gnd connection for another model.

Pi GPIO header Pin Number 8×8 module
MOSI / GPIO 10  19 DIN
SCLK / GPIO 11 23 CLK
5v 2 Vcc
GND 39 GND
CS0 / GPIO 8 24 CS

Create a file called test.py, I created this in the Examples folder of the max7219. Enter the following code using your favourite text editor

 

#!/usr/bin/env python
 
import max7219.led as led
device = led.matrix(cascaded=1)
device.show_message("PIBITS")

 

Save and run the example by typing the following in at the command line

sudo python max7219/examples/test.py

 

Links

 

MAX7219 Dot Led Matrix Module MCU LED Display Control New Module Kit For Arduino

5pcs/lot MAX7219 Module Dot Matrix Modules for Arduino Control FZ0148 Free Shipping Dropshipping

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