# Automation HAT, analog read incredible slow?

**URL:** <https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [January 11, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725 "2020-01-11T15:23:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lazzerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@Lazzerman](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Lazzerman)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725/1 "2020-01-11T15:23:06Z")

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Hi guys,

First post :-) Got me a Rasp 4 for Xmas - with the Automation HAT, very nice!

My first project is that I need to log 4 “digital” signals - the Automation HAT only has 3 digital IN, so I thought I’d use one Analog In as well.

Added the analog read into my Phyton script and it works - but my “gut feeling” is that the analog read is about 1000 times slower than the digital read? can that be right?

I need all 4 inputs to be as “time”-synchronized as possible - I’ll log their respective “high times”, which will be tricky if the analog one is as slow as a turtle…

help ?!

// Lazze

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**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725/2 "2020-01-11T18:55:37Z")

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What voltage / logic level are the signals your reading?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lazzerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@Lazzerman](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Lazzerman)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725/3 "2020-01-11T21:58:53Z")

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Basically everything that is more than +1v is “high”.

I have 2 options, a 5v signal or a 24v signal that comes from a switchboard.

Do you have a suggestion for Another HAT that has more digital Inputs? buffered and handles up to 24v

// Lazze

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**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725/4 "2020-01-12T11:37:57Z")

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I had noticed that GPIO 25 was bought out to a contact point on the Automation hat. It could be used as a digital input but it will only tolerate a max of 3.3V. 5v will damage it so thats out.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:49am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/automation-hat-analog-read-incredible-slow/12725/5 "2020-01-12T11:49:03Z")

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The schematic for the Automation Hat is here and it shows what’s used to make the buffered inputs. You could likely make up a fourth circuit. If you can source the parts and know how to solder etc.

> **[automation\_hat\_schematic.pdf](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0174/1800/files/automation_hat_schematic.pdf?199375959460709850)**
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> 37.83 KB

I found this but its all analog.

> **[RasPiO Analog Zero – Pimoroni Store](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/raspio-analog-zero)**
>
> The RasPiO Analog Zero offers a compact, inexpensive, easy way to add eight analog channels to your Raspberry Pi.