Mega and 2 FC-16 Modules

Never did buffers before so all new to me. I am still crawling however I do appreciate all your help.

Hardware connection:  On Mega

 Along with VCC and Gnd

CS is on pin according to script.

@alan-l Sorry, I don't own a MEGA and do not recognize most of those pins. BTW, maybe I am wrong but it's not a script, it's source code or a sketch (arduino term, as a programmer with over 60 years experience I only ever worked with source code)

Is this the HANDSON site you are using? The board wiring they show has only 5 pins, VCC, Gnd, CS, CLK, and DIN.

You need to tell us a LOT more about your project including at least links to hardware, code, any other references like tutorials or videos. It would be easier to identify the elephant at this point. Help us help you. BTW, have you done the blink sketch yet, then what other samples have you done. What you are trying to do is at least a middle experience project. Remember it takes 10,000 hours to master anything, so don't expect too much if you are at hour 1.

@alan-l OMG, I just re-read your last post. You haven't worked with buffers before???

I think you need to complete your programmer training before you do anything else, I didn't realize you were at that level.

Sorry, but if I was asking you how to do an Immelmann turn would you be concerned that I had not even finished ground school yet?

As @will said, start with something MUCH simpler, leave this project until next year.

Is this the device you are working with (note, that is 4 strung together)

Its been a very long time since I did programming. Learned on basis and forgot every bit of it. Admit got a lot to learn today but I am a quick study even at my age.

Yes the led module you posted is what I am using.

Posted by: @alan-l

Its been a very long time since I did programming. Learned on basis and forgot every bit of it. Admit got a lot to learn today but I am a quick study even at my age.

Yes the led module you posted is what I am using.

Just plug the "front" end of the second panel into the "back" end of the first panel (i.e. the one connected to the Arduino).

Depending on your library you may have to change the number of characters represented. You'll probably have to send the data for the second panel before the data for the first panel.

@will I could be 100% wrong, but I thought the 8x8 panels connected in series had only a single DIN pin and the data moved from one colun to the next. His 2nd message will hjave to go on a second set of 8x8 LED panels. But I might be wrong!

@will Check these pics out. Shows the series connections, and only 5 pins including VCC and G

@zander 

You could be right, but usually I think they make them to be easily serialized. Adding a second panel is just the same as adding another 8x8 display. The methodology should be the same going from the 1st to the 2nd 8x8 as from the 4th to the 5th, no ?

I'm not sure which direction they load though, so the order may need to be inverted.

The jumpers are lower left where the 4 panels are pictured. They go across the pins connecting OUT to IN

Posted by: @zander

@will Check these pics out. Shows the series connections, and only 5 pins including VCC and GND

Yes, but isn't that all that's required ? VCC and GND are carried through directly, CS and CLK are passed through directly as well, all that's changed is that DOUT (from first panel) attaches to DIN (second panel).

I think you just need to plug them together.

@will I am not sure what you are saying. My point is I THINK this device is only capable of a scrolling display, or a non scrolling SINGLE big display. What the OP wants I am 90% sure is two displays. He may be ok with these primitive 8x8's or he may be better served by OLED or LCD but of course less data.

@will You are agreeing with me. That connection scheme is for a larger than 8x8 display, or a scrolling display. It is not 2 separate displays like he wants.

@zander 

I agree that the original post is open to interpretation and it's quite possible that the OP wants to have two physically distanced displays. If so, he'll probably have to use one of the USARTS to provide a second display.

Even if the displays are supposed to be physically separate, all that'd be required is a cable of suitable length ...

@will I give up