Using Pi GPIO pins while plugged into Inky Impression

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1

Hi,

Is it possible to use any of a Pi’s GPIO pins when it’s plugged into an Inky Impression 13.3”?

I guess what I’m asking is:

  • Does the Inky Impression leave any of the GPIO pins unused?
  • Can I wire external buttons on to the button pins?
  • Am I right in assuming that I can still use the I2C pins (as long as I use a different address to the Inky Impression)?

I have found a schematic for the 7.3 version which does look like it leaves some pins free, but would still like to check.

Thanks, Jamie

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This should help.

3

Thanks. As I said in the question I have found the schematic for the 7” version, I have the 13” version.

4

Ops, goofed on that one.
Here’s the schematic for the 13 inch version.
inky_impression_133_spectra.sch

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5

There is a connector on the back that gives access to GPIO4, GPIO14, GPIO15 and GPIO18. No need to solder here.

Otherwise you could expose unused pins with a pin-multiplexer. For one of my Inkys, I used extra long pins so the pins extend to both sides of the Pi. This way, all free pins are available and I can just use normal DuPont-wires to connect to them.

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6

Thanks, I’ve been looking for extra long pins to do just that, is there a keyword I should be searching for?

7

Try something like “pin header 2x20 2.54 15mm”. I am not sure 15mm is sufficient, I will have a look.
You can buy here: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005010448461351.html, they have all kind of variants.

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8

grafik
grafik1280×575 126 KB

This is 19mm. 18mm are probably also sufficient.

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9

Here on Pimoroni, I found these “Extended Male” headers: Male 40-pin 2x20 HAT Header

However, one of the comments suggests that they have pins of only 16mm. Really, the product description should have mentioned that.

There were long (20mm) single-row headers at one time, too: Break Away Headers - Long