32*16 RGB starter pack

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nickarino
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:18 pm

32*16 RGB starter pack

Post by nickarino »

I bought this starter pack
http://learn.adafruit.com/32x16-32x32-rgb-led-matrix
and have gone through the tutorial. I am not sure if I did it right or have ruined it. I connect the arduino to my windows 7 box and run the program. If the 16*32 LED is connected with the 9V DC A/C Adapter it is really bright. But if it is connected just to the arduino using only usb power it looks like this:
Only Arduino Power
Only Arduino Power
IMG_20131208_154100 (1024x768).jpg (647.95 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
. I connected it like this
Connected Like this
Connected Like this
IMG_20131208_154021 (1024x768).jpg (440.59 KiB) Viewed 1036 times
What am I missing?

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adafruit_support_rick
 
Posts: 35092
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:42 am

Re: 32*16 RGB starter pack

Post by adafruit_support_rick »

USB power through the Arduino is really not enough to drive the display.
You need a separate 5V 2A power supply for the display itself. Do NOT use your 9V supply - you will burn out the panel.

http://www.adafruit.com/products/276

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