Scrolling Text Display (A to Z Guide)

In this instructable / video I will guide you with step by step instructions how to make scrolling text display with Arduino.
I won't be explaining how to make code for Arduino, I will show you how to use existing code. What and where you need to connect and install that you could make scrolling text display like this without any previous knowledge of Arduino.

Arduino software - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Code and library - http://bit.ly/arduinocodelibrary

Original link - https://github.com/riyas-org/max7219

Provided Amazon links are affiliates

Tools You'll Need:

• Router https://amzn.to/2DVXXZC
• Drill: https://amzn.to/2U5QQmL
• Jigsaw https://amzn.to/2rg4uXx
• Fretsaw https://amzn.to/2Ece851
• Clamps https://amzn.to/2E8EBkQ
• Small clamp https://amzn.to/2Pto6AQ
• Tape measure https://amzn.to/2rfS4Ph
• Combination square https://amzn.to/2PtmtmN
• Small utility knife https://amzn.to/2L6Gi2J
• Hot glue gun https://amzn.to/2PdCgpI
• Digital Multimeter https://amzn.to/2rf0EO3
• Soldering kit: https://amzn.to/2Q613Bf
• Wire cutting pliers https://amzn.to/2rvrL80
• Wire Stripper https://amzn.to/2PvTK0z
• Soldering helping hand https://amzn.to/2EedeoI

Materials You'll Need:

• 6mm thickness plywood (local hardware store)
• Small wood screw (local hardware store)
• Wood glue: https://amzn.to/2E8Baus
• Wood oil https://amzn.to/2UrHKB0
• Epoxy https://amzn.to/2Q8N3GU
• Electrical tape: https://amzn.to/2QsKK0P
• Sandpaper https://amzn.to/2M1mUE7
• Silicone feet https://amzn.to/2PbfWgs
• Arduino Nano https://amzn.to/2PuatkY
• 8x8 LED Display 2x https://amzn.to/2L8Gmz0
• Protected 18650 Li-Ion battery https://amzn.to/2PrZ7y0
• 18650 battery holder https://amzn.to/2SyZMzw
• Booster module https://amzn.to/2rwVIEl
• On/Off switch https://amzn.to/2PwVruS
• Breadboard https://amzn.to/2PxftVY
• Wires (local hardware store)

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Preview of the mini scrolling text display.

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To make a simple box first I cut sides, top and bottom from 6mm plywood. Add painters or electrical tape to prevent any chipping.

If you wondering, this is my new jig for bevel cuts for my jigsaw table. It's very simple jig, but very useful.

Clamped stop block helps to cut pieces at the same size.

Connect all sides with painters tape and glue them.

Then I cut front and back pieces. In front piece I drilled hole and made hole for LED displays with a fretsaw.

To get straight looking cuts I trimmed inside with a jigsaw.

I routed slots for chips of the LED display, as I wanted that display would be flush with outside of the front piece.

For this build you need (links in first page):

• Arduino Nano
• 2x 8x8 LED displays
• Voltage booster
• Protected 18650 battery
• Battery holder
• On/Off switch

Before soldering Voltage booster to the circuit make sure to adjust it's output voltage to 5V with potentiometer on the chip.

Download and install Arduino software - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

If you get prompt messages like in a picture just agree and install.

That code would work you need extra libraries for the Arduino. Download here https://github.com/riyas-org/max7219

Unzip it and copy "MaxMatrix" folder to Arduino's "libraries" folder and you are good to go.

When you start Arduino software first you need to choose Arduino type. In our case it's Arduino Nano (1st picture).

Then you need to open Serial Monitor window (2nd picture).

If you get red error like this, you need to choose right USB port in which your Arduino is connected (3-4th picture).

Just try choosing different ports until you can open Serial Monitor window without error (4-5th picture).

Now you need to copy ant paste entire code to the new empty sketch file.

Press upload button, it will ask that you save project file.

Program starts compiling/generating code and starts uploading.

If your upload take a while (15s+) and you get red error message like this you need to change Processor "ATmega328P" to Processor "ATmega328P (Old bootloader)".

Now upload should be successful.

You can customize showing text, scrolling speed and display brightness at these locations (see pictures).

With 3000 mAh battery at Level 5 brightness display should run more than 20 hours, at 10 – more than 14 hours and at 15 – more than 12 hours. Also you can power it from a wall charger.

Back to the build, I cut pins, and soldered wires:

• From first display top - VCC to VCC - on second display bottom.
• From first display top - GNDto GND - on second display bottom.
• From first display top - DOUT to DIN - on second display bottom.
• From first display top - CS to CS - on second display bottom.
• From first display top - CLK to CLK - on second display bottom.

And then I hot glued display to the plywood.

One hole must be made for USB mini cable and other for the power button.

I glued two squares that back piece won’t go further inside from the top. And to prevent going inside from the bottom will help this battery holder with battery inside. To glue it use something like 30 minute epoxy.

I soldered 5 wires to the first display's bottom.

Wires from LED display goes to Arduino:

• VCC to 5V
• GND to GND
• DIN to D12
• CLK to D11
• CS to D10

Wires from voltage booster (VOUT+ and VOUT-) will go to VIN (+) and GND (-).

Also I glued small blocks on which later I will glue front piece with LED displays.

Wires that I previously soldered to Arduino's VIN and GND goes to voltage booster's VOUT+ AND VOUT-.

Two extra wires must be soldered to power switch.

One wire from power switch goes to batteries Positive contact and other to booster's VIN+ contract.

And the Negative wire from the battery goes to booster's VIN- contact.

I tested if panel works and it looks good so I wrapped booster module with electrical tape.

I glued one additional wood block which will help to hold Arduino and will be place for the back screw.

I made hole for the screw and glued front panel.

Finally I added some wood oil, attached the back and glued small silicone feet.

And that's it - the build is finished!
I hope this instructable / video was useful and informative. If you liked it, you can support me by liking this Instructable / YouTube video and subscribing for more future content. That means a lot!

Feel free to leave any questions about this build.

Thank you, for reading / watching!

Till next time! :)

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