2pcs MAX7219 Dot Matrix Module(Red Light) 4in1 Display for Arduino

I soldered both modules together with very short, stiff jumpers (removed plastic and bent included 90 degree pins) to make 1 long display. It works very well once I figured out how to properly configure everything. I'm adding these to my list of "known good and useful" Arduino accessories for future purchases! The only thing that could make these better is if the seller would just send them for free! :) I used a NANO, so your setup may be a little different... I couldn't find the answers easily out there in Arduino land, so I'm including what I used to get it all working with both the example Ticker sketch and my clock program in case you too are having issues. #include <SPI.h> #include <Adafruit_GFX.h> #include <MAX72xxPanel.h> and for both displays connected together I needed: //constants will not change ... const int pinCS = 10; // Using Arduino NANO! Attach CS to this pin(10), DIN to MOSI(11) and CLK to SCK(13) const int numberOfHorizontalDisplays = 8; // 2x 4 module panels attached together const int numberOfVerticalDisplays = 1; ... and in void setup() matrix.setPosition(0, 7, 0); // The first display is at <0, 0> matrix.setPosition(1, 6, 0); // The second display is at <1, 0> matrix.setPosition(2, 5, 0); // The third display is at <2, 0> matrix.setPosition(3, 4, 0); //... matrix.setPosition(4, 3, 0); //... matrix.setPosition(5, 2, 0); //... matrix.setPosition(6, 1, 0); //... matrix.setPosition(7, 0, 0);// And the last display is at <7, 0> // ... matrix.setRotation(0, 1); // The first display is horizontal matrix.setRotation(1, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(2, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(3, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(4, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(5, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(6, 1); //... matrix.setRotation(7, 1);// The same for the last display Rotation was necessary because the library still expects each 8x8 module to be individual modules with the pins on top and bottom, instead of on the sides like these are. This works only if the incoming data lines are on the right hand side when looking at the LEDs I hope this was helpful! If it was, consider giving it a thumbs up! And don't forget to like and sub... wait, this isn't a YouTube script! Sorry about that! Thanks for watching!

I used them for a little Arduino alarm clock project. Screens work great, easy to get them working, and putting them behind tinted glass makes effect even better. They do draw a lot of current when powered to full brightness, so I recommend connecting 5V power directly to the screens - so they don't draw everything from arduino's USB port, and a 2A power supply at least. At full brightness they get warm. Since this project will make screens work all the time, I will update the review if they start failing.

NOT AS PICTURED. Once upon a time these modules had the LED matrices mounted so there was no gap between panels. Now there's a massive gap between the 8x8 panels which makes them completely useless for animation displays. They don't fit into the established footprint for these modules, and the panel gaps are egregious. You can fix these by cutting and filing the circuit board between the panel elements, then re-soldering jumper wires between boards and 3d printing a support bracket to hold the thing together. 2 hours of extra work per unit because the mfg changed designs and the seller continues to advertise the previous design.

Item arrived on time. I had to investigate little bit to make it work, but it worked finally after I found the right configuration. It is not MD_MAX72XX::ICSTATION_HW type as "Devil Man" suggested, but he might have received that type. The module I received is FC-16 type, which I found after removing one of the dot matrix from its socket. For that you have to define #define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::FC16_HW in your code before Setup() function. Take a look at attached picture to find module type if you want to find out yours. These are the types available in the library. enum moduleType_t { PAROLA_HW, GENERIC_HW, ICSTATION_HW, FC16_HW } Without setting the correct hardware type the data appears on the display, but the order of these module is not in sequence. Due to which you will see part of the text displaced. Here is the program which displays scrolling text //<----------------------------------------------------- CODE ------------------------------------------------> #include <MD_Parola.h> #include <MD_MAX72xx.h> #include <SPI.h> // Define the number of devices we have in the chain and the hardware interface // NOTE: These pin numbers will probably not work with your hardware and may // need to be adapted #define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::FC16_HW #define MAX_DEVICES 4 #define CLK_PIN 13 #define DATA_PIN 11 #define CS_PIN 10 // Hardware SPI connection // Arbitrary output pins MD_Parola P = MD_Parola(HARDWARE_TYPE, DATA_PIN, CLK_PIN, CS_PIN, MAX_DEVICES); char text[] = "Sample message!"; char step = 0; char delayMs = 50; void setup(void) { P.begin(); P.displayScroll(text, PA_CENTER, PA_SCROLL_LEFT, delayMs); P.setIntensity(0,2); } void loop(void) { if(P.displayAnimate()) { step++; if(step >2) step=1; switch(step) { case 1: P.displayScroll(text, PA_CENTER, PA_SCROLL_RIGHT, delayMs); break; case 2: P.displayScroll(text, PA_CENTER, PA_SCROLL_LEFT, delayMs); break; default: break; } delay(1000); } //<--------------------------------------------------------- END CODE --------------------------------------------------> The modules are very bright, so I reduced the brightness a little bit, but brightness control through software is not that useful as It could be. Hope it helps.

The module looks good but the circuit board is wider than 12.8cm at 13.15 cm. If you need this to fit precisely in an enclosure then you'll need to modify the opening to the 13.15 cm width.

These are really great displays, simple plug and play for Max_72XX and the MD_Parola libraries, hardware set to FC16_HW, very glad to find these, good price and package very well, can't beat that.

I got a 2 pack of displays. One worked fine right away. The other had a row of LEDs stuck on the second module and the last 2 modules were not working. I nearly returned it but, on closer inspection I found that the third LED array (plug in part) was plugged in upside down (fits either way but only works one way) and a big blob of solder between 2 pins on the second module. In the end it works but there is no way it passed any quality check at manufacture. Buy at your own risk.

This MAX7219 is RED, BRIGHT, Great display and easy to use! If you are using the latest MD_MAX7219 {GitHub MajicDesigns/MD_MAX72XX} you may notice, that, your display looks odd (see my image)! Try adding this to your Arduino Sketch: #define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::ICSTATION_HW Comment or delete any other of the above #defines, ie //#define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::PAROLA_HW // Arbitrary output pins MD_Parola P = MD_Parola(HARDWARE_TYPE, DATA_PIN, CLK_PIN, CS_PIN, MAX_DEVICES); Marco Colli has made major changes to his code, so, many of the code examples, that, you find on the Internet will not work, correctly! You no longer need to edit the MD_MAX72xx.h file (can't anyway, totally revised). Many of the YouTube videos suggest, that, you edit this file, this no longer possible with the latest update, available at GitHub. I hope, that, this helps!

Item arrived on time and in good order