Wiring TFT Display
Use a 10-wire silicone ribbon cable to connect the TFT display to the QT Py. Measure and cut the cable so it's about 11cm (4.3in) in length. Peel wiring so there's only 8 of the 10 wires. The TFT display needs 8 wired connections to the QT Py.
Solder TFT Display
Using wire strippers, remove a bit of insulation from each wire. Tin the tips by applying a bit of solder. This helps prevent the strands of wire from fraying. Solder all eight wires to the following pins on the TFT.
- VIN
- GND
- SCK
- MOSI
- TFTCS
- RST
- DC
- Lite
Key Plate and Switches
Four mechanical key switches are press fitted into the 3D printed key plate. Choose which style of cherry mx compatible key switch to use.
Install Key Switches
The mechanical key switches are press fitted into the square holes. The key plate is symmetrical so the switches can be installed on either side.
Key Switch Wires
Use a 10-wire silicone ribbon cable to connect the four key switches to the QT Py. Use the following wire lengths.
- 3x 1-wire ribbon cable - 25mm (1in)
- 1x 5-wire ribbon cable - 127mm (5in)
Solder Key Switches
Start by soldering the ground pins together using the short single wires. To daisy chain together, ground pins will share two wires. Solder one wire from the 5-wire ribbon cable to one of the ground pins. Solder the remaining wires to the signal pins on the switches.
QT Py Wiring
Double check the wiring from the key switches and TFT display. Get the QT Py RP2040 ready to wire.
Wiring TFT to QT Py
Solder the wires from the TFT display to the pins on the QT Py. Make the following connections.
- V+ from TFT to 3V on QT Py
- GND from TFT to GND QT Py
- CK from TFT to SCK QT Py
- SI from TFT to MOSI on Qt Py
- TC from TFT to RX on QT Py
- RT from TFT to TX on QT Py
- DC from TFT to SCL on QT Py
- BL from TFT to SDA on QT Py
Solder Switches to QT Py
Solder the four signal wires from the keys to the QT Py. Solder the ground wire to the ground pin on the QT Py.
