Adafruit
Adafruit RGB Matrix HAT + RTC for Raspberry Pi - Mini Kit
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)
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 connector contacts on a fixed pitch (commonly 2.54 mm) used to link a board to a breadboard, jumper wires, or another board. They come as male pin headers and female socket headers; when a module ships with pre-soldered headers it can be used straight away, whereas bare pads require soldering 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 (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- 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 (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.
- RGB
- Short for red, green and blue, the three primary colours of light that are mixed in varying amounts to make a wide range of colours. In electronics RGB can refer to an LED or pixel that blends these three colours, or to a colour signal or interface that carries separate red, green and blue channels.
- 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 terminal block is a connector that joins wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way, usually clamping each wire under a screw or spring instead of soldering. It makes it easier to connect, change, or service wiring without permanent joints.
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adafruit rgb matrix plus real time clock hat for raspberry pi
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