MONK MAKES Monkmakes Connector for Microbit Instructions
- June 6, 2024
- MONK MAKES
Table of Contents
Instructions:
CONNECTOR
FOR MICRO:BIT V1A
| works with micro:bit | V1&V2 |
|---|
INTRODUCTION
The MonkMakes Connector for micro: bit makes it super-easy to connect I2C,
SPI, and other devices to your micro: bit without losing the main connector
rings. Unlike other connectors that are designed to break out all the micro:
bit pins, this connector just breaks out the useful ones that are not in use
by the micro: bit for other purposes.
And most importantly, you don’t lose access to the micro: bit’s normal
connector rings.
CONNECTING YOUR MICRO: BIT
Plug your micro: bit (model 1 or model 2) into the connector as shown below. Make sure that it is pushed in as far as it will go. The connection rings will sit slightly outside of the socket.
USING AN I2C DISPLAY
Small OLED displays make a great addition to the micro: bit. You can buy them from various sources, including Adafruit, eBay, and Amazon. They operate at 3V using the micro: bit’s I2C interface. Two pins are required for power and two pins SDA and SCL are used as Data and Clock signals for serial communication.
Connecting
Connect up your I2C display like this, using female-to-female jumper wires.
| Connector for micro: bit pin | I2C OLED display pin | Suggested lead color |
|---|---|---|
| GND | GND | Blue or Balck |
| 3V | VCC | Red |
| SCL | SCL (or just C) | Yellow |
| SDA | SDA (or just D) | Orange |
Software
There are several Make code libraries available for I2C OLED displays. To find
them, click on the Extensions button at the bottom of the Make code editor
window. And then type OLED in the search box.
The one I used here is the second from the left. Once added, the extension
gives you a new set of blocks for controlling the display.
Here is a short Make code block program using this extension.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem: The power LED does not light
Solution: Make sure that your micro: bit is fitted into the connector the
correct way around and that the micro: bit itself is powered.
LEARNING
micro: bit Programming
If you want to learn more about programming the micro: bit in MicroPython,
then you should consider buying Simon Monk’s book ‘Programming micro:bit:
Getting Started with MicroPython’, which is available from all major
booksellers.
For some interesting project ideas, you might also like the micro: bit for the
Mad Scientist from NoStarch Press.
You can find out more about books by Simon Monk (the designer of this kit) at:
http://simonmonk.org or follow him on Twitter where he is @simonmonk2
MONK MAKES
For more information on this kit, the product’s home page is here:
https://monkmakes.com/mb_slider
As well as this kit, MonkMakes makes all sorts of kits and gadgets to help
with your maker projects. Find out more, as well as where to buy here:
https://monkmakes.com you can also follow MonkMakes on Twitter @monkmakes.
From left to right: Electronics Starter Kit for micro: bit, Power for micro: bit (AC adapter not included), and 7 Segment for micro: bit.