# Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/103/medium800/adafruit_products_5967-04.jpg?1715971456)

The **Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowBell** is intended to be treated like a mini solder-less proto plate to simplify programming and sensor or display connectivity for your Raspberry Pi Pico board. Reset button? Yes! STEMMA QT / Qwiic connector for fast I2C? Indeed. Battery with recharging and on/off switch? Affirmative. Built in NeoPixel? Bien sur! EYE SPI connector? Truly! All plug-and-play, so no soldering necessary when used with a [Pico H](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5525) or [Pico WH](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5544)? Here you go!

The Tripler is like if we used a 'Clone Tool' twice on the [Proto Under Plate PiCowbell](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5905) - you get three slots side-by-side, which means you can easily add two 'bell accessories to your Pico or Pico W without soldering on any stacking headers.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/104/medium800/adafruit_products_5967-02.jpg?1715971548)

#### **LiPoly Battery Charging Support**

The Tripler also gives you Lipoly/LiIon support circuitry to take your Pico project on the go. Use any 3.7V/4.2V single-cell Lithium battery with a JST 2-PH connector in the correct polarity. The battery will automagically charge when the Pico is plugged into the USB and switch over seamlessly to battery when USB power is removed.

By default, the charge rate is 500mA for use with 500mAh+ sized batteries. You can cut a jumper to reduce the charge rate to 250mA if using 250mAh to 500mAh battery. So you don't have to unplug the battery often, a slide switch is connected to the Pico Enable pin, so you can disable the Pico's 3.3V power supply completely - this is as close as we can get to 'turning off' the Pico.

#### **Alkaline/NiMH Battery Pack Support**

You can also cut a different jumper to disconnect the charger completely from the battery, which means you can use [3xAA](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287) or [3xAAA battery packs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) for alkaline or NiMH battery usage. Of course, you will need an external NiMH charger in that case.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/105/medium800/adafruit_products_5967-05.jpeg?1715971590)

### **STEMMA QT + EYESPI Connectors**

Add sensors and displays in an instant with a 4-Pin JST SH connector that is Qwiic / STEMMA QT compatible for just about any I2C sensor or device we stock. We do not have I2C pullups on the board, but your Qwiic/QT breakout board or accessory likely already has them onboard. If using the Philhower Arduino core, the Wire peripheral is already set up to use IO4 and IO5. If using CircuitPython or MicroPython, you'll need to let the code know to look at 4+5 for SDA+SCL pins.

For colorful high-resolution output, connect any of our EYESPI displays with an 18-pin FPC cable. We connect most of the pins for SPI displays with SD card and touchscreen support. Note that we didn't wire through the Busy or Reset pins so E-Ink displays aren't recommended (they sometimes require those pins for deep-sleep and wakeup)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/106/medium800/adafruit_products_5967-03.jpg?1715971679)

#### **Double-row Socket Headers**

This board has double-row sockets already soldered on; you can plug in your Pico and 'Bell boards directly and access a prototyping area underneath and a second row of socket pins. The second row means you can connect wires just by poking them into the header, either directly to LEDs or buttons or to jumper to a breadboard. So you don't have to look up or count pins; each socket is nicely labeled. There are also 4 mounting holes for easy attachment to an underplate.

The double-row socket headers we use are 'hollow,' meaning you can connect through the back if desired. Specifically, you can use Pico Stacking Headers to plug into some other device that is expecting Pico pins. Also, in theory, if you soldered pin headers on the 'wrong side' of a Pico, you could plug it up through the bottom.

If you're not mounting this board to something else, we recommend picking up a [set of rubber feet](http://www.adafruit.com/product/550) to protect your desk.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/107/medium800/adafruit_products_5967-01.jpg?1715971731)

#### **Features:**

- **Three 2x20 slim socket headers** - plug in your Pico and desired 'Bell and have an extra row of sockets for each pin!
- **JST PH connector** for LiIon/LiPoly or Alkaline/NiMH battery usage - be sure to cut the "disable charge" jumper to use Alkaline/NiMH batteries.
- **LiPoly/LiIon charging circuitry** for any 3.7V/4.2V nominal 1-cell battery. Default rate is 500mA, can be set to 250mA by cutting the charge-rate jumper on bottom. Two indicator LEDs let you know if battery is charging (orange) or complete (green)
- **Slide switch** connected to the Pico Enable pin, which will disable the 3.3V power supply.
- **Reset button** that sticks out at the end
- **JST SH connector for I2C / Stemma QT / Qwiic** connection. Or can use it for plain GPIO wiring if you don't have any I2C devices to attach. Provides 3V, GND, IO4 (SDA), and IO5 (SCL) There is an extra set of 4 breakout holes next to the JST SH if you want more I2C connections or want to re-assign the I2C port.
- **3 hole-connected strips are** in the center areas. You can cut the traces between the holes, but they're intended to be treated like a mini-mini breadboard
- **Nearly every pad on the Pico has a duplicate hole pad** next to it for solder-jumpering
- **The ground pads have white silkscreen rectangles** to easily identify, plus one long ground strip near the reset button
- **One long strip of connected holes for 3.3V power**
- Gold-plated pads for easy soldering

# Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell

## Pinouts

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/110/medium800/adafruit_products_double.jpg?1716215278)

Danger: Check that your battery has the correct polarity for the Tripler PiCowbell! Otherwise you could damage or destroy the PiCowbell and anything plugged into it!

## Power
- **VB (VBUS)** - This is the micro-USB input voltage, connected to the micro-USB port on the Raspberry Pi Pico. It is nominally 5V.
- **VS (VSYS)** - This is the main system input voltage. It can range from 1.8V to 5.5V and is used to generate the 3.3V needed for the RP2040 and the GPIO pins.
- **EN (3V3\_EN)** - This connects to the enable pin on the Raspberry Pi Pico, and is pulled high (to VSYS) via a 100kΩ resistor. The **slide switch** at the bottom right edge of the Tripler is connected to this pin.
- **3.3V** - This is the 3.3V output from the Raspberry Pi Pico. There is a long strip of connected holes for 3.3V power, noted by a line of white on the board silk.
- **VREF (ADC\_VREF)** - This is the ADC power supply and reference voltage. It is generated on the Raspberry Pi Pico by filtering the 3.3V supply. It can be used with an external reference when ADC performance is required.
- **GND** - This is the common ground for power and logic. All **GND pins are highlighted in white rectangles on the silk.**

![adafruit_products_power.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/112/medium640/adafruit_products_power.jpg?1716216535)

The Tripler also gives you Lipoly/LiIon support circuitry:

- **LiPoly connector/charger** - You can plug in any 500mAh or larger 3.7V/4.2V single-cell battery into the **JST 2-PH port with&nbsp;the correct polarity** to both power your Pico and charge the battery. The battery will charge from the USB power when USB is plugged in. If the battery is plugged in _and USB is plugged in_, the Pico will power itself from USB _and_ it will charge the battery up.
- **Orange Indicator LED** - To the right of the JST 2-PH port is the orange charge indicator LED. When the battery is charging, the orange LED will be lit. When charging is complete, the LED will turn off. If there's no battery plugged in while the board is powered by USB, the LED may be dimly lit - this is expected!
- **Green Indicator LED** - To the left of the JST 2-PH port is the green charge indicator LED. While a battery is charging, the green LED will be off. When the battery is fully charged, or If there's no battery plugged in, the green LED will be lit.

![adafruit_products_lipo.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/113/medium640/adafruit_products_lipo.jpg?1716216551)

- **Charge Rate Jumper** - On the back of the Tripler is the charge rate jumper. It is labeled **Cut for 250mA** on the board silk. By default the charge rate is 500mA for use with 500mAh+ sized batteries. You can cut a jumper to reduce the charge rate to 250mA if using 250mAh to 500mAh battery. **Batteries that are smaller than 250mAh are not supported.**
- **Alkaline/NiMH Battery Pack Jumper** - On the back of the Tripler is the alkaline/NiMH battery pack jumper. It is labeled **Chg En** on the board silk. If you cut this jumper, it will disconnect the charger circuitry completely from the JST 2-PH port. This means you can use [3xAA](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3287) or [3xAAA battery packs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) for alkaline or NiMH battery usage.

![adafruit_products_chargeJumpers.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/111/medium640/adafruit_products_chargeJumpers.jpg?1716215913)

Warning: If your battery is smaller than 500mAh, you need to cut the charge rate jumper. Batteries that are smaller than 250mAh are not supported.

## I2C Logic
- **SCL** - I2C clock pin on the PiCowBell. It is connected to your Pico I2C clock line, which is **GPIO5**. This connection is shared with the STEMMA QT port and the EYESPI connector on the board.
- **SDA** - I2C data pin on the PiCowBell. It is connected to your microcontroller I2C data line, which is **GPIO4**. This connection is shared with the STEMMA QT port and the EYESPI connector on the board.
- [STEMMA](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt)**[QT](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt) -** These connectors allow you to connect to dev boards with STEMMA QT connectors or to other things with [various associated accessories](https://www.adafruit.com/category/619). The port is located on the end of the PiCowBell.
- **STEMMA QT Breakout Holes** - There is an extra set of 4 breakout holes directly below the STEMMA QT port if you want more I2C connections or want to re-assign the I2C port.

![adafruit_products_i2c.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/114/medium640/adafruit_products_i2c.jpg?1716216570)

## NeoPixel and NeoPixel Jumper
At the top of the board in the middle section is one **RGB NeoPixel LED**. Its data pin is connected to GPIO **AD2**. There is a jumper below it labeled **AD2**. You can cut this jumper to disconnect the NeoPixel from **AD2**.

![adafruit_products_neo.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/115/medium640/adafruit_products_neo.jpg?1716216584)

## EYESPI Connector
At the bottom of the board, opposite the STEMMA QT port, is the **EYESPI connector**. This connector allows you to connect EYESPI-compatible displays using an EYESPI cable, with no soldering or jumper wires needed. The EYESPI pins are connected to the following GPIO:

- **Vin - 3.3V**
- **Backlight - AD0**
- **GND - GND**
- **MISO - GPIO16**
- **MOSI - GPIO19**
- **SCK - GPIO18**
- **Display CS&nbsp;- GPIO21**
- **DC - GPIO20**
- **INT - GPIO22**
- **SDA - GPIO4**
- **SCL - GPIO5**
- **Touchscreen CS - GPIO15**
- **SD card CS - GPIO17**

![adafruit_products_eyespi.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/116/medium640/adafruit_products_eyespi.jpg?1716216607)

## Socket Headers and Duplicate GPIO Hole Pads
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/131/medium800/adafruit_products_tripler-headers-neopixel-2.jpg?1716234674)

The PiCowbell has three sets of two 2x20 slim socket headers to plug in your Pico and have extra rows of sockets for each pin. On the second and third sets of headers you can plug in an accessory for your Pico. There are also duplicate hole pads next to each pin for solder-jumpering:

- **IO0-IO15** , **IO16-IO22** , **Reset** , **A0-A2** , **VR** , **3V** , **EN** , **VS** and **VB**. Ground pins that have a duplicate hole pad are highlighted in white rectangles on the board silkscreen.

![adafruit_products_headers.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/117/medium640/adafruit_products_headers.jpg?1716216626)

## Proto Areas
Between the sets of socket headers, you'll find the **proto areas**. These areas on the board are made up of 12 **3 hole-connected strips on the left** and **in the middle** , and 11&nbsp; **3 hole-connected strips on the right**. You can cut the traces between the holes, but they're intended to be treated like mini-mini breadboards.

![adafruit_products_proto.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/118/medium640/adafruit_products_proto.jpg?1716216655)

## Reset Button
At the bottom edge of the board in the middle section is the reset button. It is routed to the&nbsp; **reset pin on the PiCowbell** and is labeled **RESET** on the board silk. You can press it to restart your program.

![adafruit_products_reset.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/119/medium640/adafruit_products_reset.jpg?1716216702)

## Enable Switch
At the bottom right edge of the board is the enable switch. It is routed to the **enable pin on the PiCowbell** and is labeled **Enable** on the board silk. Moving the switch to the **Off** position will disable the 3.3V power supply. Moving the switch to the **On** position will enable the 3.3V power supply. The switch does not disconnect USB power. Disabling 3.3V is as close as we can get to 'turning off' the Pico.

![adafruit_products_enable.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/120/medium640/adafruit_products_enable.jpg?1716216717)

# Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell

## CircuitPython

It's easy to use the **Proto Tripler PiCowbell** with CircuitPython to monitor the voltage of an attached lipoly battery with the [analogio](https://docs.circuitpython.org/en/latest/shared-bindings/analogio/index.html) core module and connect to an external display with the EYESPI connector and [displayio](https://docs.circuitpython.org/en/latest/shared-bindings/displayio/) core module. These modules allow you to easily write Python code for accessing basic analog inputs and outputs and writing to a display.

### Adafruit 1.54" 240x240 Wide Angle TFT LCD Display with MicroSD

[Adafruit 1.54" 240x240 Wide Angle TFT LCD Display with MicroSD](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3787)
We've been looking for a display like this for a long time - it's only 1.5" diagonal but has a high density 220 ppi, 240x240 pixel display with full-angle viewing. It _looks_ a lot like our 1.44" 128x128 display, but has 4x as many pixels and looks great at any angle....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3787)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3787/guides)
![Top Down Demo Video of OLED breakout wired up on breadboard to QT Py and BFF driver board. Video displays multi-colored shapes and animations.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3787-16.jpg)

### EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type

[EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239)
Connect this to that when a 18-pin FPC connector is needed. This 25 cm long cable is made of a flexible PCB. It's A-B style which means that pin one on one side will match with pin one on the other side. How handy!

<a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5239/guides)
![Angled shot of a EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5239-00.jpg)

### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 1200mAh for a total of about 4.5 Wh. If you need a larger battery, <a...></a...>

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/258/guides)
![Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 1200mAh with JST 2-PH connector](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/258-02.jpg)

## Raspberry Pi Pico ADC3 and VSYS

The Raspberry Pi Pico can use its internal ADC3 pin (GPIO29) to [monitor the voltage on VSYS](https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/pico/pico-datasheet.pdf). As a result, you can read the voltage currently being supplied to VSYS (aka the voltage from your battery) with this calculation in CircuitPython:

`((ADC3 value * 3) * 3.3) / 65535`

## CircuitPython Microcontroller Wiring

Plug a Pico or Pico W into your Proto Tripler PiCowbell exactly as shown below. Then, plug in a supported lipoly battery to the PiCowbell JST 2-PH port. Connect an external display with an EYESPI connector to the EYESPI connector on the PiCowbell with an EYESPI cable. Here's an example of connecting a Pico to the PiCowbell with a lipoly battery and 1.54" 240x240 display.

Connect the Pico with plug headers into the Proto Tripler PiCowbell. It should be plugged in with the Pico USB port pointing towards the STEMMA QT port.

Then, plug in a lipoly battery with matching polarity to the JST 2-PH port on the PiCowbell.

Finally, attach the EYESPI display to the EYESPI connector with an EYESPI cable. [For reference on plugging in an EYESPI cable, you can follow along with this Learn Guide page.](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-eyespi-breakout-board/plugging-in-an-eyespi-cable)

![adafruit_products_triplerFritz_bb.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/128/medium640/adafruit_products_triplerFritz_bb.jpg?1716232583)

[Plugging in an EYESPI Cable](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-eyespi-breakout-board/plugging-in-an-eyespi-cable)
## CircuitPython Usage

To use with CircuitPython, you need to first install the **Adafruit\_CircuitPython\_ST7789** library, and its dependencies, into the **lib** folder on your **CIRCUITPY** drive. Then you need to update **code.py** with the example script.

Thankfully, we can do this in one go. In the example below, click the **Download Project Bundle** button below to download the necessary libraries and the **code.py** file in a zip file. Extract the contents of the zip file, and copy the **entire**  **lib**  **folder** , **font folder** and the **code.py** file to your **CIRCUITPY** drive.

Your **CIRCUITPY/lib** folder should contain the following folders and files:

- **adafruit\_bitmap\_font/**
- **adafruit\_display\_text/**
- **adafruit\_pixelbuf.mpy**
- **adafruit\_st7789.mpy**
- **adafruit\_ticks.mpy**
- **neopixel.mpy**

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/134/medium800/adafruit_products_Tripler_PiCowbell_Demos_CircuitPython.png?1716236291)

## Example Code

Once everything is saved to the **CIRCUITPY** drive, [connect to the serial console](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/kattni-connecting-to-the-serial-console) to see the data printed out!

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Tripler_PiCowbell_Demos/CircuitPython/code.py

Every 5 seconds, the analog reading from **pin A3** on the Pico is passed to the `get_vsys()` function. This function calculates the voltage on VSYS and prints the reading to the serial monitor. The screenshot below shows a battery initially plugged in at 4.6V. The battery was unplugged, reading 4.8V from the USB power and then plugged back in, reading 4.6V.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/122/medium800/adafruit_products_cpSerial.png?1716222992)

The display will show the voltage reading as well and will update every 5 seconds. The color of the font will change to match the current hue of the NeoPixel. The onboard NeoPixel will show a rainbow swirl animation.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/133/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_tripler-cp.jpg?1716235105)

# Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell

## Arduino

Using the Proto Tripler PiCowbell with Arduino to monitor and display the voltage of an attached lipoly battery involves plugging a Pico or Pico W board into the PiCowbell, attaching a compatible battery to the JST 2-PH port, attaching an EYESPI display to the EYESPI connector and running the provided example code.

### Adafruit 1.54" 240x240 Wide Angle TFT LCD Display with MicroSD

[Adafruit 1.54" 240x240 Wide Angle TFT LCD Display with MicroSD](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3787)
We've been looking for a display like this for a long time - it's only 1.5" diagonal but has a high density 220 ppi, 240x240 pixel display with full-angle viewing. It _looks_ a lot like our 1.44" 128x128 display, but has 4x as many pixels and looks great at any angle....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3787)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3787/guides)
![Top Down Demo Video of OLED breakout wired up on breadboard to QT Py and BFF driver board. Video displays multi-colored shapes and animations.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3787-16.jpg)

### EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type

[EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239)
Connect this to that when a 18-pin FPC connector is needed. This 25 cm long cable is made of a flexible PCB. It's A-B style which means that pin one on one side will match with pin one on the other side. How handy!

<a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5239)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5239/guides)
![Angled shot of a EYESPI Cable - 18 Pin 100mm long Flex PCB (FPC) A-B type. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5239-00.jpg)

### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 1200mAh for a total of about 4.5 Wh. If you need a larger battery, <a...></a...>

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/258/guides)
![Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 1200mAh with JST 2-PH connector](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/258-02.jpg)

## Raspberry Pi Pico ADC3 and VSYS

The Raspberry Pi Pico can use its internal ADC3 pin (GPIO29) to [monitor the voltage on VSYS](https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/pico/pico-datasheet.pdf). As a result, you can read the voltage currently being supplied to VSYS (aka the voltage from your battery) with this calculation in Arduino:

`((ADC3 value * 3) * 3.3) / 1023.0`

## Wiring

Plug a Pico or Pico W into your Proto Tripler PiCowbell exactly as shown below. Then, plug in a supported lipoly battery to the PiCowbell JST 2-PH port. Finally, attach an EYESPI display to the EYESPI connector. Here's an example of connecting a Pico to the PiCowbell with a lipoly battery.

Connect the Pico with plug headers into the Proto Tripler PiCowbell. It should be plugged in with the Pico USB port pointing towards the STEMMA QT port.

Then, plug in a lipoly battery with matching polarity to the JST 2-PH port on the PiCowbell.

Finally, attach the EYESPI display to the EYESPI connector with an EYESPI cable. [For reference on plugging in an EYESPI cable, you can follow along with this Learn Guide page.](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-eyespi-breakout-board/plugging-in-an-eyespi-cable)

![adafruit_products_triplerFritz_bb.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/127/medium640/adafruit_products_triplerFritz_bb.jpg?1716232567)

[Plugging in an EYESPI Cable](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-eyespi-breakout-board/plugging-in-an-eyespi-cable)
## Library Installation

You can install the **Adafruit ST7735 and ST7789** library for Arduino using the Library Manager in the Arduino IDE.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/121/medium800/adafruit_products_Arduino_Open_Library_Manager.png?1716219832)

Click the **Manage Libraries ...** menu item, search for **Adafruit\_ST7789** , and select the **Adafruit ST7735 and ST7789** &nbsp;library:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/123/medium800/adafruit_products_st7789_lib.png?1716231631)

If asked about dependencies, click "Install all".

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/124/medium800/adafruit_products_st_depends.png?1716231685)

If the "Dependencies" window does not come up, then you already have the dependencies installed.

Warning: If the dependencies are already installed, you must make sure you update them through the Arduino Library Manager before loading the example!

Then, search for **Adafruit NeoPixel** , and select the **Adafruit NeoPixel** library. This library has no additional dependencies.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/125/medium800/adafruit_products_neo_lib.png?1716231751)

Info: The NeoPixel library has no additional dependencies.

## Example Code
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Tripler_PiCowbell_Demos/Arduino_PiCowbell_Tripler_Demo/Arduino_PiCowbell_Tripler_Demo.ino

Upload the sketch to your board and open up the Serial Monitor ( **Tools -\> Serial Monitor** ) at 115200 baud. You'll see the voltage calculation printed to the monitor. In the screenshot below, the reading shows 4.8V from the USB power. Then,&nbsp;a battery was plugged in and was providing a reading of approximately 4.6V.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/126/medium800/adafruit_products_arduino_serial.png?1716231763)

The display will show the voltage reading as well and will update every 5 seconds. The onboard NeoPixel will show a rainbow swirl animation.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/132/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_tripler-arduino_1.jpg?1716234985)

# Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell

## Downloads

## Files

- [EagleCAD PCB files on GitHub](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-Proto-Tripler-PiCowbell-PCB)
- [3D models on GitHub](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CAD_Parts/tree/main/5967%20Proto%20Tripler%20PiCowBell)
- [Fritzing object in the Adafruit Fritzing Library](https://github.com/adafruit/Fritzing-Library/blob/master/parts/Adafruit%20Proto%20Tripler%20PiCowbell.fzpz)

## Schematic and Fab Print
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/108/medium800/adafruit_products_schem.png?1715972266)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/109/medium800/adafruit_products_fab.png?1715972275 dimensions are in inches)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/183/medium800/adafruit_products_5967_Proto_Tripler_PiCowBell.jpg?1716409388)


## Primary Products

### Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell for Pico and PicoW

[Adafruit Proto Tripler PiCowbell for Pico and PicoW](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5967)
The **Adafruit&nbsp;Proto Tripler PiCowBell** is intended&nbsp;to be treated like a mini solder-less proto plate to simplify programming and sensor or display connectivity&nbsp;for your Raspberry Pi&nbsp;Pico board. Reset button? Yes! STEMMA QT / Qwiic connector for fast I2C?...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5967)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5967/guides)

## Featured Products

### Stacking Headers for Raspberry Pi Pico - 2 x 20 Pin

[Stacking Headers for Raspberry Pi Pico - 2 x 20 Pin](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5582)
These two&nbsp; **Stacking**** &nbsp;Headers**&nbsp;alone are, well, lonely. But pair them with the&nbsp;[Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.adafruit.com/category/875), and you're in business!

What do they do? They stack. Put the headers through your...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5582)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5582/guides)
### Raspberry Pi Pico H - Pico with Headers Soldered

[Raspberry Pi Pico H - Pico with Headers Soldered](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5525)
The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing&nbsp;[when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new&nbsp; **Raspberry Pi Pico H with...**

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5525)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5525/guides)
### Raspberry Pi Pico WH - Pico Wireless with Headers Soldered

[Raspberry Pi Pico WH - Pico Wireless with Headers Soldered](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5544)
The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico WH**....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5544)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5544/guides)
### Little Rubber Bumper Feet - Pack of 4

[Little Rubber Bumper Feet - Pack of 4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/550)
Keep your electronics from going barefoot, give them little rubber feet! These small sticky bumpers are our favorite accessory for any electronic kit or device. They are sticky, but not impossible to remove. They're small enough to fit onto any board, and have just enough height to give...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/550)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/550/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit QT Py RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-py-2040.md)
- [Set up Web Workflow on the Adafruit MEMENTO](https://learn.adafruit.com/set-up-web-workflow-on-the-adafruit-memento.md)
- [Adafruit PiCowbell Adalogger for Pico](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-picowbell-adalogger-for-pico.md)
- [Creating MagTag Projects with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/creating-magtag-projects-with-circuitpython.md)
- [Adafruit pIRkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pirkey-python-programmable-infrared-usb-adapter.md)
- [Adafruit Slider Trinkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-slider-trinkey.md)
- [Pico Bluetooth Keyboard Bridge](https://learn.adafruit.com/pico-bluetooth-keyboard-bridge.md)
- [Tombstone Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/tombstone-matrix-portal.md)
- [Adafruit Feather RP2040 RFM95](https://learn.adafruit.com/feather-rp2040-rfm95.md)
- [Adafruit DVI Breakout Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dvi-breakout-board.md)
- [Adafruit HDC1008 Temperature and Humidity Sensor Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-hdc1008-temperature-and-humidity-sensor-breakout.md)
- [Adafruit E-Ink Bonnet for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-e-ink-bonnet-for-raspberry-pi.md)
- [Adafruit Proximity Trinkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-proximity-trinkey.md)
- [Black Lives Matter Education & Workshop Kit](https://learn.adafruit.com/black-lives-matter-badge.md)
- [Adafruit ESP32-S3 TFT Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-esp32-s3-tft-feather.md)
