We're going to use a combination of the Adafruit IO Client Library and Adafruit's CircuitPython to control a Raspberry Pi over Adafruit IO. 

1 x Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+
The Raspberry Pi is a small linux board compatible with Adafruit IO projects.

If you're following along with a Raspberry Pi, we're going to use a T-Cobbler Plus for the IO Basics Projects. This add-on prototyping board lets you easily connect a Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi Model Zero, A+, B+, Pi 2, Pi 3) to a solderless breadboard:

1 x Assembled Pi T-Cobbler Plus
GPIO Breakout - Pi A+, B+, Pi 2, Pi 3, Zero.

Want to create an automatic fish-feeder, a door-lock system with vibration-feedback, or maybe you want to just chain a bunch of lights and motors together and control them with Adafruit IO?

You'll need a few PWM outputs.

The Raspberry Pi is limited to one PWM output. While we could use this PWM output for the servo, we're going to use the Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo driver. This board can be used to control up to 16 PWM outputs. This means you can have a bunch of servos, DC motors, LED lights, or even a combination of both.

You will need to make the following connections between the Pi and the PCA9685:

  • Pi 3.3V to PCA9685 VCC
  • Pi GND to PCA9685 GND
  • Pi SDA to PCA9685 SDA
  • Pi SCL to PCA9685 SCL

Make the remaining connections:

  • PCA9685 PWM Pin (on channel 15) to one leg of the 560 ohm resistor
  • Pi GND to LED Cathode (short LED leg)
  • LED Anode (long LED leg) to the other leg of the 560 ohm resistor
    • note: resistors are not polarized, so the 560 ohm resistor can be connected to the circuit in either direction.

Next, we're going to set up our Pi.

This guide was first published on Feb 16, 2017. It was last updated on Apr 07, 2024.

This page (Python Wiring) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

Text editor powered by tinymce.