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Adafruit PiCowbell Adalogger for Pico - MicroSD, RTC & STEMMA QT
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The Adafruit PiCowbell Adalogger is a Pico-sized add-on board that sockets underneath your Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico W, adding a microSD card slot, real-time...
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The Adafruit PiCowbell Adalogger is a Pico-sized add-on board that sockets underneath your Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico W, adding a microSD card slot, real-time clock with battery backup, and a STEMMA QT connector for I2C sensors — everything you need for data logging projects.
The PCF8523 RTC keeps accurate time even when the Pico is powered off (with a CR1220 coin cell). The microSD card slot provides virtually unlimited storage for reading or writing data. A STEMMA QT / Qwiic connector gives you instant solderless access to I2C peripherals on GPIO 4 (SDA) and GPIO 5 (SCL).
Key Features
- MicroSD Card Slot – SPI connection on pins 16, 17, 18, 19 with optional card detect on pin 15
- PCF8523 Real-Time Clock – I2C RTC with CR1220 coin cell backup for accurate timestamps
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic – Right-angle JST SH connector for solderless I2C (GPIO 4/5)
- Right-Angle Reset Button – Easy access from the board edge
- Pico Form Factor – Same size and shape, sockets underneath the Pico
- Gold-Plated Pads – Easy soldering with duplicate solder-jumper pads
- White GND Markings – Ground pads clearly identified with silkscreen rectangles
Header Options
- Stacking Headers – Allows breadboard or accessory connection below
- Socket Headers – Solid plug-in connection with no protruding pins
- Short Socket Headers – Ultra-slim sandwich (pair with short plug headers on the Pico)
- Direct Soldering – Most compact option, but permanent
Tip: With the Philhower Arduino core, Wire is already configured for GPIO 4/5. For CircuitPython or MicroPython, specify SDA=4 and SCL=5 in your code.
Ideal For
- Environmental data logging with timestamped SD card storage
- Sensor projects needing persistent timekeeping
- Adding expandable storage to Pico/Pico W projects
Note: MicroSD card, CR1220 coin cell battery, Raspberry Pi Pico, and headers are not included. A CR1220 is required for RTC battery-backup functionality.
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- CircuitPython
- A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
- GPIO
- General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- MicroPython
- A version of the Python programming language made to run on microcontrollers. It matters because it lets beginners write readable code to control LEDs, sensors, motors and displays without needing to start with lower-level languages.
- microSD card
- A microSD card is a small removable memory card used to store files such as audio tracks. For this product, the card is where the sound files live, so its capacity and formatting can affect how many sounds you can use.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- RTC
- A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
- STEMMA QT
- A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.
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