corteil / explorer-hat

Python library for Explorer HAT

https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/explorer-hat
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/explorer-phat

The Explorer HAT and Explorer pHAT have a heap of useful input and output options that will take your Raspberry Pi projects to the next level. Great for driving motors, using analog sensors, interfacing with 5V systems, and touch interfaces.

Installing

Full install (recommended):

We've created an easy installation script that will install all pre-requisites and get your Explorer HAT/pHAT up and running with minimal efforts. To run it, fire up Terminal which you'll find in Menu -> Accessories -> Terminal on your Raspberry Pi desktop, as illustrated below:

In the new terminal window type the command exactly as it appears below (check for typos) and follow the on-screen instructions:

curl https://get.pimoroni.com/explorerhat | bash

Alternatively, on Raspbian, you can download the pimoroni-dashboard and install your product by browsing to the relevant entry:

sudo apt-get install pimoroni

(you will find the Dashboard under 'Accessories' too, in the Pi menu - or just run pimoroni-dashboard at the command line)

If you choose to download examples you'll find them in /home/pi/Pimoroni/explorerhat/.

Manual install:

Library install for Python 3:

on Raspbian:

sudo apt-get install python3-explorerhat

other environments:

sudo pip3 install explorerhat

Library install for Python 2:

on Raspbian:

sudo apt-get install python-explorerhat

other environments:

sudo pip2 install explorerhat

Development:

If you want to contribute, or like living on the edge of your seat by having the latest code, you should clone this repository, cd to the library directory, and run:

sudo python3 setup.py install

(or sudo python setup.py install whichever your primary Python environment may be)

In all cases you will have to enable the i2c bus.

Documentation & Support

• Guides and tutorials
  https://learn.pimoroni.com/explorer-hat
  https://learn.pimoroni.com/explorer-phat
• Function reference
  https://github.com/pimoroni/explorer-hat/blob/master/documentation/
• GPIO Pinout
  https://pinout.xyz/pinout/explorer_hat_pro
  https://pinout.xyz/pinout/explorer_phat
• Get help
  http://forums.pimoroni.com/c/support

Important Notes

Explorer HAT/pHAT uses an output driver chip called the ULN2003A, which contains a set of transistor pairs called a Darlington Array. It transforms the small logic signal of the Pi into something capable of driving much bigger loads, such as motors, steppers, lights and more.

The 4 outputs on Explorer can sink 5V, but not source. This means you need to connect your load to one of the 5V pins, and then to the output. When you turn the output on it will connect your circuit to ground, allowing current to flow and your load to turn on. This is the opposite of using a bare Pi GPIO pin, where you might connect to the pin and then to ground; keep this in mind!