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Looking for source of bright RGB LED matrixes (bigger the better - e.g. 16x16) — Parallax Forums

Looking for source of bright RGB LED matrixes (bigger the better - e.g. 16x16)

T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
edited 2009-10-29 23:24 in General Discussion
If anyone knows where to get bright RGB LED matrixes, I would love to hear from you. I am looking for something that is fairly bright (e.g. higher MCD rating) as I will be applying PWM to it. I know that Sparkfun has them but they are $30 each for only an 8x8 so I'm sure I·can do better. I would like them somewhat brighter than the ones from Sparkfun also: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=683

Thanks!

Comments

  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-08 19:52
    I found this one which is bright and cheaper but still at $20 each will make this fairly expensive at 6-12 or more displays.

    http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/60mm-square-88-led-matrix-super-bright-rgb-p-113.html

    Has anyone dealt with this company (china based) as I don't even see a schematic or datasheet on this display?
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-10-08 22:37
    T&E

    When I·Have a little money to play with I going to play with this

    ·http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/rgb-led-shield-v14-kit-p-430.html

    and also the one that you posted here so·I will watch this post

    http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/60mm-square-88-led-matrix-super-bright-rgb-p-113.html





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    ··Thanks for any·idea.gif·that you may have and all of your time finding them smile.gif

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    Sam
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-08 23:08
    Thanks Sam.

    Do you have one of the 8x8 RGB bright matrix displays?

    I found the somewhat hidden datasheet: www.seeedstudio.com/depot/datasheet/2088RGBMatrix.pdf

    For it being labeled as "super bright" it's intensity level in MCD is fairly normal (10s to 100s NOT 1000s).

    Thanks for your input.

    Post Edited (T&E Engineer) : 10/9/2009 1:09:15 AM GMT
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-10-08 23:57
    T&E

    Do you have one of the 8x8 RGB bright matrix displays?

    No this on my wish list as well as the other Item That why I said that I was watching this Post to see what you come up with

    I thought I would start with board a learn how to use it and then move to that type of display

    http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/rgb-led-shield-v14-kit-p-430.html

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    ··Thanks for any·idea.gif·that you may have and all of your time finding them smile.gif

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    Sam
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-09 01:06
    I think I may have found the best priced unit at 9 euro ($13) each.

    www.3arabchannel.com/funny/view/rA3AUjyZgps/8x8_rgb_led_matrix_effects.html

    ledsee.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=211&category_id=77&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27

    + 7.5 euro shipping + (paypal + 3 euro). Still much cheaper than everyone else.

    I'll place an order in the morning for some to test.
  • sam_sam_samsam_sam_sam Posts: 2,286
    edited 2009-10-09 01:22
    T&E

    Be careful about buying LEDs from China· I find that they·do not seem to last very long if you run them 10 hours a day they lasted about 8 months

    they where a good buy 100 for $10.00 I think that how much I payed for them

    Now I have gotten really good LEDs from China· also at a good buy as well

    Not all China company are the same so·buyer beware


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    Sam

    Post Edited (sam_sam_sam) : 10/9/2009 1:27:53 AM GMT
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-09 01:33
    I buy stuff from Futurlec and Sure Electronics alot and never had problems with LED displays. I'm not buying individual LEDs but RGB Matrix modules and the video looks good. All the other suppliers have their RGB matrix displays from China too. Hmm.
  • VIRANDVIRAND Posts: 656
    edited 2009-10-13 21:23
    It may be cheaper for a one-off matrix to buy bulk bright RGB leds and populate a board yourself,
    expecting to blow a few pixels, and it is more convenient to replace them. But it will take a
    lot of solder and time. If you need more than one, let the board shop robots make them.
    For bulk LEDs try ebay, unless there is a better source. I haven't checked superbrightleds.com
    recently but I have bought them from there also.
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-13 21:50
    I have checked the superbrightleds.com website and they do not sell any LED matrixes. However, I found out from Seeedstudio.com that their "super bright" RGB LED matrix (so they call it super bright but the MCD values are in the hundreds not thousands like you would expect to see for LEDs that are very bright or "super bright"), normally sell for $23.50 but are on sale for 17% off for $19.50 each. I bought 6 of them and then asked them for any quantity discounts and they said "over 10" they are $14.50 each so I added 6 more thinking just 4 more may not qualify me since they said "over 10" so I doubled it to 6 more (12 total). The first 6 was $117 total with free shipping and the additional 6 was only $57 more. So for $174 I get 12 of them which would have cost me $100 more at the regular cost of $23.50 each. I hope they will ship today and arrive in a week or two.

    http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/60mm-square-88-led-matrix-super-bright-rgb-p-113.html
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2009-10-29 23:24
    I did receive the 12 RGB displays discounted from www.seeedstudio.com for the $174 w/ free shipping and they are pretty BRIGHT! I tried both a 22 ohm resistor and a 220 ohm and it was almost blinding.
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