Attaching the Backpack

The assembly photos below are the original version. Assembly is the same for both the original version and the STEMMA QT version.

This assembly is the same on the STEMMA QT version of the backpack!
When you buy a pack from Adafruit, it comes with the fully tested and assembled backpack as well as two dual 14-segment display in one of the colors we provide (say, red, yellow, blue or green). You'll need to solder the matrix onto the backpack but it's an easy task.

Remove the parts from packaging and place the LED matrices OVER the silkscreen side. DO NOT PUT THE DISPLAY ON UPSIDE DOWN OR IT WONT WORK!! Check the image below to make sure the 'decimal point' dots are on the bottom, matching the silkscreen.

Turn the backpack over so it is sitting flat on the matrix.
Solder all of the pins!
Clip the long pins.
Check your work, making sure each pin is nicely soldered, and there's no cold solder joints or shorted pins

Attaching Header

Prepare the header strip:

Cut the strip to length if necessary. It will be easier to solder if you insert it into a breadboard - long pins down

Add the Backpack:

Place the backpack board over the pins so that the short pins poke through the breakout pads
Solder all 5 pins!
That's it! now you're ready to run the firmware on your Arduino!

This guide was first published on Jul 29, 2012. It was last updated on Sep 28, 2022.

This page (Assembly) was last updated on Jan 17, 2020.

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