Introduction: Raspberry Pi Scoreboard
Today I'll explain how I made this scoreboard which is controlled by a raspberry pi and powered by a 5V power supply. It uses a combination of ws2811 and ws2812b leds for the lighting and the structure is made out of plywood and red oak. For a description on setting up the code and circuit you can watch the video below:
Supplies
- ws2811 leds
- ws2812b leds
- Raspberry Pi Zero (can use any kind)
- 5V Power Suppy
SN74HCT125 Integrated Circuit - jumps voltage from raspberry pi signal to have proper voltage for led strip (I usually get my circuit parts from Digikey)
Step 1: Create the Structure for the Scoreboard
The first step is to create the structure for the scoreboard. I used a piece of pine plywood for the face and red oak for the sides. The scoreboard has 3 sections for the timer, the home team name, and the away team name. There were 4 total sections to display the scores for each team, and we had to drill 15 holes for each number (3 columns by 5 rows).
Step 2: Create the Circuit
This circuit steps up the voltage from the raspberry pi data pin to the data pin of the ws2812b leds. The default voltage from the data pin is 3.3V but the leds expect a 5V signal, so we use an integrated circuit to do this for us as described in the circuit diagram.
Step 3: Assemble the Components
Each of the 7 led sections are strung up in serpentine patterns, and the end of one section is connected to the beginning of the other. After putting in the leds, we attached the electrical components to the back with hot glue and screws.
Step 4: Install the Code and Let It Rip!
After you download the code from the repository below, setup the constant definitions to match your use case and enjoy the new build!