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I'm making a project to make a pixelArt of 64x64 using two 64x32 RGB ledMatrix and Arduino MEGA.

This is the RGB Panel I am using.

I use ADAFruit and RGBMatrixPanel libraries in my Arduino Code and if I connect the Arduino pins to the RGB panel it works, but the problem is when I try to connect the output of the first panel to the input of the second, I saw the "same image duplicated" but with different brightness, and if I change the length of the panel seems to print random LEDs.

I know that Adafruit is thought to get a screen with max of height of 32, but I don't care, because for my purpose you can assign each pixel programmatically in order to print the proper image.

I followed this guide in order to make the connection with a panel of 64x32.

I think that I have to change my code and also my physical connections, but I don't know how, can anyone help me?

Other option that I thought was create another matrix2 instance at the same code using different PINS, but this is very weird.

This is the current connections: (I have a power supply of 5v - 10A) enter image description here

This is the result that I have: (duplicated in both screens with a brighness/weird shadow in the second) enter image description here

And this is the final result that I'm looking for: (this is made with two Arduino Megas) enter image description here

Thanks in advance!

timemage
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Jorge Martín Martí
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1 Answers1

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First off, connecting the 2nd panel to the same output pins as the first one, you are simply sending same data to the 2nd panel, which is why you get the duplicate visuals. I'm guessing you are sending power that same way, which is why you are seeing the brightness dim.

Secondly, it's hard to read on the pics in the AliExpress listing, but the Sparkfun site had a better image, which shows an "Output" connection on the back of the panels. You need to daisy chain the 2nd panel to the first panel through this "Output" connection. This should prevent you from having to create a 2nd matrix2 and use a 2nd set of pins.

Third, having a 2nd set of pins and controlling the 2nd LED matrix can make updating the image faster. It depends on your library as well as how the LED matrix is made, so it really depends on those factors, but some LED systems are designed so there is a maximum amount of pixels that can be displayed before there's a noticeable delay in LED updated. With this amount of LED pixels, you're probably fine, but if you want fast updates and expect to expand your matrix in the future, you might want to consider driving the panels separately. I'm not saying you have to now, but if you're seeing lag, this might be a good option.

computercarguy
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