Explaining the different types of LED Arrays

Not all LED arrays are the same, there are many varieties within a set size and set amount of LED's.  There are the P numbers.  P10 means 10mm LED spacing.  P6 is 6mm spacing.  P3 is 3mm spacing.

Then there are the S or scan or row select numbers.  Typical S numbers are S4, S8, and S16.  But they even vary within these numbers!  Lets start with a 16S arrangement.  In a 32 by 32 LED array there are two 32 bit shift registers one for the top half and one for the bottom (As well as one for each color).  Then there are 16 row selectors that select what two rows are currently lit up.

Next there is an 8S LED array.  Withing a 32x32 array there are four 32 bit shift registers.  The top two and the bottom two are sequential. (This is for each of the three colors) Then there are 8 row selectons.  These select what four rows are currently lit up.

Now things get tricky.  Some arrays do not follow the normal pattern.  For instance the modified 8S panel depicted below.  These are not compatable with some controllers.  There are two 16 bit shift registers and a 32 bit shift register for the top half and the same for the bottom.  (This is for each of the three colors)  The shift register sequence is the top 16, then the middle 32, then the other top 16 bits.

So not only are you dealing with color differences between different batches you are dealing with scanning differences.  You cannot mix an 8S and a modified 8S in the same chain of LED arrays.

Big LED sign with 6x4 of 32x32 P6 LED panels

My latest LED sign is by far my biggest LED sign yet!  I purchased a pile of P6 32x32 LED panels on eBay for about $10 each.  The seller even included the cables needed to get it to work!

Here is a picture of it with a TF-QS3N Controller.  It uses PowerLED to set it up from a computer over a newwork.

This is the back side of the sign as I was assembling it.  The sign is now over twice the size shown in this picture.

Here is a newer picture at 4 by 7 panels.  It is now 5 by 7 panels in size and growing!  I hope to get to 5 by 8 panels but the model numbers of the next panels do not match and the color balance might be too far off to intermix them.

One option to connect the panels together is these metal brackets available at most hardware stores at four for $5.00.  Thes have a hole spacing of one inch (24.5mm) and the panel mounting holes are 24 mm so there is a 1.5 mm gap between the panels if you uses these brackets. 

I have 3D printed my own brackets for connecting the panels.  They were designed on TinkerCad.  The STL files are available on thingiverse. 

Here is a video of when I first got them working.

Expanding my sign with 16x16 addressable LED arrays.

 I am expanding my sign with 16x16 WS2812B Addressable LED arrays.  Currently I am at 3x5 of these arrays but am working on adding three more for a 3x6 or 48 by 96 sign.

This is the built in demo with a T8000 controller.  I had more luck with the SP801E controller.

Here I am starting to add the grids to make the pixels square.  The grids are on thingiverse.  I drilled too many holes in the luan because I confused the orientation.  They need to connet from top to bottom.

This is another picture of assembling the arrays.  I am using E-6000 glue to hold them in place.  I glue two or three at a time just in the corners then put something on them to hold them in place till the glue dries.

Here is the first video with the T8000 controller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STn5s0Ipr-M

This is a demo with an SP801E controller

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzCqLekaI-U

Here it is with WLED on an ESP32 processor

https://youtu.be/ZxGXOkgYxrg

Here are some pictures from the WLED demo.