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• Instructions and Schematics
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Hardware serial port option
Peggy 2LE can optionally be built with a hardware serial port. What used to be a tricky hack is now supported with a simple wiring change. If you build it this way, you can use the serial port while running the display, and you can use it to send or stream data or images to the Peggy. (Note that the pins used to replace the serial port otherwise go to the I2C interface and to button b5 on the PCB. So, you'll need to choose between I2C and Serial.)

Printed circuit boards
The centerpiece of this kit is a beautifully made printed circuit board. It is 9.625x5.9" (245x150 mm) in overall size, two-sided with plated through holes. The board is manufactured with black epoxy soldermask on both sides for high visual contrast, and component locations are labeled on the top side of the board with a white silkscreen. The boards are RoHS compliant (lead free), manufactured to UL 94V-0 standards, and fully electrically tested. Mounting holes are provided at all four corners. Multiple Peggy 2LE boards can be set side by side to have a visually continuous field of LEDs without gaps between them.

Building it
Peggy 2LE is sold as a soldering kit. Basic electronic soldering skill is required, and you provide basic soldering tools: a soldering iron + solder and small wire clippers. No additional knowledge of electronics is presumed or required. Easy "through-hole" construction and clear, full-color printed instructions. Assembly time: 1-2 hours plus time to solder the LEDs themselves. An extended introduction to the project and its design is available here.

Programming it
Peggy 2LE comes pre-programmed with a routine that lights up all the LED locations, so you can make a basic LED sign or display without any programming at all.

Of course, Peggy 2LE is designed to do a whole lot more, and we strongly recommend all users to have a programming cable available. The easiest way to get started is through the Arduino software environment, for which you will need a USB-TTL cable. You can download the Peggy2 Arduino Library (along with several example programs) here. The library is an evolving open source project and your own code contributions are welcome.

You can also find a technical discussion of programming Peggy 2 here, along with code examples for use with AVR-GCC.

Kit Contents

Kit  includes the circuit board, preprogrammed microcontroller, power supply, LED driver chips, high-current transistors, power switch, two buttons, rubber feet and all other components needed to make the pegboard display base, along with full color printed instructions. Just add batteries and LEDs.