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Adafruit RGB Matrix HAT + RTC for Raspberry Pi - Mini Kit
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The Adafruit RGB Matrix HAT + RTC makes it easy to drive HUB75-type RGB LED matrices from your Raspberry Pi. This HAT plugs onto any Pi with a 40-pin GPIO he...
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The Adafruit RGB Matrix HAT + RTC makes it easy to drive HUB75-type RGB LED matrices from your Raspberry Pi. This HAT plugs onto any Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header and includes a DS1307 real-time clock, so your Pi can keep accurate time even after reboots or power loss — perfect for clock and time-based display projects.
The HAT features built-in level shifters (3.3 V to 5.0 V) and power protection circuitry that guards against negative, over, or under-voltage from the 5 V supply. This is a mini kit requiring some light soldering to attach the headers — most beginners can complete it in about 15 minutes.
Key Features
- DS1307 Real-Time Clock – Keeps time even when the Pi is rebooted or powered down (CR1220 coin cell required, sold separately)
- Power Protection – Built-in circuitry guards against negative, over, or under-voltage from the 5 V supply
- Onboard Level Shifters – Converts the Pi's 3.3 V logic to 5.0 V for clean, glitch-free matrix driving
- HUB75 Compatible – Works with 16×32, 32×32, and 32×64 RGB LED matrices
- Chainable Displays – Connect multiple matrices for longer displays (recommended maximum 32×128)
Compatibility
- Supported Pi Models – Raspberry Pi Model A+, B+, Pi 2, and Pi 3 (any 40-pin GPIO header model)
- Matrix Type – HUB75 RGB matrices only (not for NeoPixel, DotStar, or other addressable LEDs)
Note: RGB LED matrix, 5 V power supply, Raspberry Pi, and CR1220 coin cell battery are sold separately. To calculate power requirements, multiply the total pixel width of all chained matrices by 0.12 A (e.g. a 32-pixel-wide matrix may draw up to ~3.85 A, so a 5 V 4 A supply is recommended).
Ideal For
- Time displays and clocks with accurate RTC timekeeping
- Scrolling text displays and signage
- Mini LED video walls and art installations
- Information dashboards and status boards
Package Contents
- 1× RGB Matrix HAT PCB (surface-mount parts pre-assembled)
- 1× 2×20 female socket connector
- 1× 2-pin terminal block
- 1× 2×8 IDC socket connector
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 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.
- HUB75
- HUB75 is a common connector and signalling standard used by many RGB LED matrix panels. If a controller supports HUB75, it can plug into compatible matrix panels without custom wiring, but you still need to match the panel size and power requirements.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- NeoPixel
- A type of addressable LED system where colour data is sent along a single digital data line from one LED or controller to the next. Compatibility matters because the timing and signal format must match for the lights or driver board to respond correctly.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
- RGB
- Short for red, green and blue, usually referring to an LED that can mix those three colours. It matters because controlling an RGB LED teaches how separate outputs combine to create different colours.
- 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.
- Terminal block
- A connector used to join wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way. For this product, it helps split one power input into several outputs without soldering.
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