New Project on the testing desk

[SmartAlecLights]

We all know i love panels, be it p10's or P6's
Well i finely designed a cape for the Raspberry Pi to do just that.

The "Pi-Panel"
Does 2 Hub75 panel outputs,
Handles P10 & P6 1/8th Panels,
Plug-on Cape for the Rasp Pi,
Controlled via FPP

You cant get any easier than this for testing your soldering skills
expecting $10 each, but will see how testing goes

Currently Ive tested a combo of P10's an P6's on the same output,
Only tested one of the outputs.

ToDo :-
Load it up with more (>2) panels,
Test both outputs,
Triple check board for any errors

 

[Kitman]

That looks really cool Alec.


Now if only we could run any panels rather than being stuck with only the 1/8th panels. Searching on the usual places is turning out hard to find 1/8th scan, but that could just be the way I am searching lol.

 

[Bill Ellick]

Nice idea Alec!
The innovation and advancements in things for a "hobby" are becoming amazing!

 

[bbayjohn]

I'll take 2

 

[SmartAlecLights]

After a whole night testing,
I noticed there was dirty data.
This happened because there was no shift converter for the 3.3 to 5v.
Added the shift converter an dirty data was gone an the panels are nice an bright.
Also Added a 5v screw terminal for powering the rasp pi.
so there's another $3 of parts.

I also Noticed using the 'Rasp Pi B' Im only able get 4 panels on each output working nicely.
Hopefully Tests with the 'Rasp Pi B+' show better results for more panels

(a shift converter {74HCT245} changes the rasp-pi 3.3v data to 5v for the Panels)

 

[gerry]

hello Alec,

Do you have a picture of your setup ie what is connected to what ?
I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that the two outputs (out 1 and 2) are to be connected to flat ribbon cables which then go to the panels ?

I am curious as to why the screw terminal would be required cause I thought that the Pi would be powered via its micro connector.

 

[Kitman]

Hey Gerry,


You can power the Raspberry pi via the GPIO pins, this does however bypass one of the fuses on the raspberry pi and they don't recommend you power it this way, however for ease of wiring it does make sense, 5v power supply with wires running off to the Panels and another wire running off to power the Pi, saves having another plug pack to power up.


I could be wrong but that's why I would put that connector on the board.