Introduction: How to Build 8x8 BIG LED Matrix (MAX7219 LED 10mm)

By Bluino
About: I am Bluino Electronics.

Have you worked with ready-made 8x8 LED matrix as displays? They come in various sizes and are quite interesting to work with. A large readily available size is around 60mm x 60mm. However, if you are looking for a much larger ready-made LED matrix, you may be out of luck.

For this project, we will be building a single color large LED matrix display which is made up of a few large 8x8 LED 10mm matrix modules daisy-chained together. Each of these 8x8 LED matrix modules is around 100mm x 100mm in size.

Step 1: Get PCB

To get PCB you can manufacture it directly on PCBWAY, how to order is very easy and you will get 10 Pcs PCB for $5 with very great PCB quality.

Step to Order:

1. SignUp/Log in on pcbway.com

2. Open this PCB project link 8x8 BIG LED Matrix

3. Click Add to cart

4. If shown dialog box "Please fill in the layer order from top to bottom here" click close dialog box.

5. On the PCB Quote page in size option fill 100x100mm and in the layer option select "2Layer", see picture for detail.

Step 2: Part Required

Here are the components that you will need to make this project:

  • (64) LED 10MM
  • (1) IC MAX7219CWG (SMD)
  • (1) R 10K OHM (SMD 0603)
  • (1) C 0.1UF (SMD 0603)
  • (1) C 47UF (SMD 1206)
  • (1) 1X5 MALE PIN HEADER

Step 3: Schematic

Step 4: First Time Soldering LED D30

1. Cut the two led legs do not exceed the back of the PCB

2. Solder LED into PCB with name D30.

Step 5: Solder SMD Components

After finishing soldering the LED D30, then solder all the SMD components IC MAX7219CWG, R 10K ohms, C 0.1uf & 47uf.

Step 6: Attach and Solder All LEDs

Install all remaining LEDs from D1 to D64.

Step 7: Cut All LED Legs

Step 8: Solder Male Pin Header

Solder male pin header on INPUT the back side of PCB.

You can chains one or more PCB to be a series, usually 4 or 8, so that you can build a led matrix board to display running text. To connect INPUT to OUTPUT each other by soldering male pin headers close together, attention must be use a long frame on the back so that each PCB can be securely fastened by screws.

Step 9: Testing

To do a quick test, you can use the Wemos D1 mini board by load the firmware using the ESP Matrix Offline App, then connect the cable between the PCB 8x8 BIG LED Matrix to Wemo board (CLK to D5, CS to D6, DIN to D7, VCC to 5V & GND to G)