The Kitronik ZIP Tile is an amazing 8 x 8 display panel designed specifically for the BBC micro:bit. It can scroll text beautifully and showcase all the colors of the rainbow and more. You can even link multiple Tiles together to create huge displays! It comes with 64 color - addressable LEDs arranged in an 8 x 8 grid. There are ZIP LED expansion points on the left, right, and top of the board, allowing you to expand your display easily. You can connect a BBC micro:bit using both bolts and croc clips. It also breaks out P1 and P2 to standard 0.1” (2.54mm) footprints. Each pin has the necessary supply voltage and GND pads. Power is supplied via a JST connector on the rear of the board. It provides a regulated supply to power the connected BBC micro:bit, so you don't need a separate power source for it. To protect the BBC micro:bit when power is supplied through it, the ZIP LEDs won't light up. To use the ZIP Tile, connect the BBC micro:bit to at least the GND, 3V, and Pin 0 on the ZIP Tile. You can use the supplied board - mounted nuts and M3 bolts (place the provided spacer between the BBC micro:bit and the ZIP Tile if connecting on the rear) or croc clips. Check the Datasheet for detailed images. The Tile comes with 5 M3x12 countersunk screws and 5 plastic spacers. We've made coding easy with a set of custom blocks for the MakeCode Editor. Just click the cog icon in the editor, select Extensions, type 'Kitronik' in the search bar, and choose the ZIP Tile option. The blocks will be added to the editor menu. Features include an 8 x 8 display panel, 64 addressable full - color LEDs, expansion points for larger displays, connection options with bolts and croc clips, breakout of P1 and P2, protection for the BBC micro:bit, and custom code blocks for MakeCode Editor. The package includes 1 ZIP LED Tile, 5 M3 Countersunk Screws, and 5 Plastic Spacers. You'll need a BBC micro:bit and a power supply between 3.5V and 5.3V. Resources like a Datasheet and Example Code are also available. To use the example code, download and extract the file. Connect a micro:bit to your computer's USB port. Drag and drop the .HEX file onto the micro:bit (it shows up as a removable disk). Wait for the light on the rear of the micro:bit to stop flashing, then run the program. You can also drag the file into the MakeCode editor to view or edit the code.
Using the Kitronik ZIP Tile with your BBC micro:bit is a breeze. First, you'll need to connect the BBC micro:bit to the ZIP Tile. Make sure to connect at least the GND, 3V, and Pin 0. You can use the bolts and spacers that come with the Tile, or croc clips if you prefer. Just place the spacer between the BBC micro:bit and the Tile when using the bolts on the rear. Check the datasheet for pictures to help you out. Power it up using a power supply between 3.5V and 5.3V connected via the JST connector on the back of the board. This will also power the BBC micro:bit. If you try to supply power through the BBC micro:bit, the ZIP LEDs won't light up to protect it. For coding, it's super simple. In the MakeCode Editor, click on the cog icon, go to Extensions, search for 'Kitronik', and select the ZIP Tile option. The custom blocks will be added to the editor. You can use these blocks to scroll text, show colors, and more. When using the example code, download and extract the file. Connect your micro:bit to your computer's USB port. It'll show up as a removable disk. Drag and drop the .HEX file onto it. Wait for the light on the back of the micro:bit to stop flashing, then you can run the program. Try pressing the A and B buttons on the micro:bit to see what happens. You can also drag the file into the MakeCode editor to look at or change the code. As for maintenance, keep the Tile clean and dry. Avoid getting it wet or exposing it to extreme temperatures. If you're not using it for a long time, store it in a safe place. That's all there is to it! Have fun with your Kitronik ZIP Tile.
