pymobitec-flipdot

Python code for controlling a Mobitec RS485 flip dot display

Hardware

The code in this repository is tested with a 28x16 Mobitec FlipDot display controlled by a Raspberry Pi Zero via a UART-RS485 converter. All the necessary components (Raspberry Pi, UART-RS485 converter, DC-DC converter) has successfully been integrated inside the Mobitec Flipdot display housing. Commands are executed via ssh from a external computer to the Raspberry Pi via WiFi.

Connection

The flipdot display are powered by 24 VDC and controlled via a RS485 serial interface, a UART(or USB)-to-RS485 converter can be bought cheaply on eBay. The wires from the flipdot display are as following:

Red wire: +24 volt
White wire: RS485 D+
Green wire: RS485 D-
Black wire: Ground

Here the white and green wires are connected to a UART-to-RS485 converter, which again is connected to GPIO14 and GPIO15 pin (serial pins, Rx, Tx) on a Raspberry Pi Zero (powered by a DC-DC stepdown converter from the 24V power supply). The LED-lighting in the flipdot display is controlled by the Raspberry Pi (GPIO18) via an optocoupler.

Installation:

git clone https://github.com/bjarnekvae/pymobitec-flipdot.git
cd pymobitec-flipdot
pip install -r requirements.txt
python setup.py install

Examples

clock.py - Display the time of day (24h format) using custom fonts meant to utilize the entire display.
clock_secHand.py - Same as clock.py with added seconds hand.
crypto_ticker.py - Displays the price of Cardano ($ADA), blinks LEDs when price moves more than 0.5% the last minute.
snake.py - An implementation of Snake, the speed is limited due to the slow baud rate of the serial communication (4800 bit/s).

References

http://www.busselektro.no/tips-og-funksjonsbeskrivelser/mobitec-rs485/

https://github.com/datagutten/mobitec-php/

https://github.com/duffrohde/mobitec-rs485/

Donate

Cardano ADA - addr1vy5f47qv28xlvvp7j35xyf8ep2wurprllueegc5nuruav8g0m7f0u