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Buying I2C devices

There are many I2C devices available and the price/availability can vary widely depending on your location and delivery options. Where devices are very cheap, you may find quality issues and so expect a few duds.

Some devices come with QWiic connectors which makes them easier to plug-and-play with the QWiic connector on your EX-CSB1 or EX8874 motor shield.

In general, the Adafruit devices below are high quality and well documented but that is usually reflected in the price.

  • MCP23017 provides 16 pins for mixed input or output.(see details). This is good for:

    • Up to 14 inputs from push-buttons, switches, sensors.
    • Up to 16 outputs to LEDs and signals (which require current limiting resistors) and relays.

  • PCA9685 provides up to 16 outputs for servos and LEDs (PWM pins used for V+ include resistors) (See details).

  • PCA9548 multiplexor allows for I2C devices that must share the same I2C address (See details).

  • NeoDriver provides an interface to NeoPixel chains of LEDs (See details).

  • LTC4311 resolves electronic issues when the total of I2C wiring is greater than approximately 2m or 6ft (See details).

  • QWiic wires make it easy to plug these devices together(See details).

Rosscoe Trains

Rosscoe supplies I2c devices with QWiic sockets and additional power feeds which makes wiring much easier.

The Rosscoe Shop is linked from our Third Party Products and Sellers page.