# Adafruit RGB Matrix Triple Bonnet — 64x64 panels show "2 rows lit, 2 rows dark" stripe pattern (E-line issue?)

**URL:** <https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/t/adafruit-rgb-matrix-triple-bonnet-64x64-panels-show-2-rows-lit-2-rows-dark-stripe-pattern-e-line-issue/1211>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [April 2, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/t/adafruit-rgb-matrix-triple-bonnet-64x64-panels-show-2-rows-lit-2-rows-dark-stripe-pattern-e-line-issue/1211 "2026-04-02T12:02:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shamray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Shamray](https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/u/Shamray)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/t/adafruit-rgb-matrix-triple-bonnet-64x64-panels-show-2-rows-lit-2-rows-dark-stripe-pattern-e-line-issue/1211/1 "2026-04-02T12:02:24Z")

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**Hardware:**

- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- Adafruit RGB Matrix Triple Bonnet (Product ID: not sure, has 3 HUB75 outputs and an E-line switch with positions 4/8)
- Seengreat RGB-Matrix-P3.0-64×64 panels (1/32 scan, 5 address lines A–E, HUB75 connector)
- 5V 10A power supply for panels

**Problem:**  
When connecting 64×64 panels through the Triple Bonnet, the display shows a repeating pattern of **2 rows lit, 2 rows dark** across the entire panel. The pattern shifts when I flip the E-line switch between position 4 and 8, but neither position produces a correct image.

 ![IMG_0276](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/rpi_rgb_led_matrix/original/1X/f7b6b7b9988e3e3fce0ac93a7eeaf32695062f9b.jpeg)

**What I tried (none fixed it):**

- `--led-multiplexing=0` through `17` (all 18 values)
- `--led-row-addr-type=0` through `5` (all 6 values)
- All 108 combinations of the above (automated brute-force script)
- Both E-line switch positions (4 and 8)
- `--led-gpio-mapping=regular` (correct for Triple Bonnet / active-3 pinout)
- `--led-gpio-mapping=adafruit-hat` (also tried)
- `--led-slowdown-gpio=4`
- Disabled audio (`dtparam=audio=off`, blacklisted `snd_bcm2835`)
- Disabled serial console (GPIO 15 = RXD = E-line conflict)
- Disabled 1-wire interface

**What DOES work:**  
When I **bypass the bonnet entirely** and wire the Pi’s GPIO pins directly to the HUB75 connector using jumper wires, everything works perfectly — solid colors, text scrolling, demo patterns all display correctly with default settings:

```auto
sudo ./demo -D 0 --led-rows=64 --led-cols=64 --led-chain=2 --led-slowdown-gpio=4

```

No special multiplexing or row-addr-type flags needed — just `--led-rows=64 --led-cols=64`.

**Direct wiring pinout that works (Pi physical pin → HUB75 pin):**

```auto
Pi Pin → HUB75 Pin
──────────────────────
(23) GPIO11 → (1) R1
(13) GPIO27 → (2) G1
(26) GPIO7 → (3) B1
(6) GND → (4) GND
(24) GPIO8 → (5) R2
(21) GPIO9 → (6) G2
(19) GPIO10 → (7) B2
(10) GPIO15 → (8) E
(15) GPIO22 → (9) A
(16) GPIO23 → (10) B
(18) GPIO24 → (11) C
(22) GPIO25 → (12) D
(11) GPIO17 → (13) CLK
(7) GPIO4 → (14) LAT
(12) GPIO18 → (15) OE
(14) GND → (16) GND

```

This is the standard `regular` GPIO mapping from rpi-rgb-led-matrix, and it works perfectly when wired directly.

**My conclusion:**  
The Triple Bonnet’s E-line routing appears to be defective or misconfigured on my unit. The E-line (GPIO 15 → HUB75 pin 8) is the 5th address line needed for 64-row panels (1/32 scan). The “2 lit, 2 dark” stripe pattern is exactly what you’d expect if the E-line is stuck or not reaching the panel — the panel can only address 32 rows (A–D) instead of 64 (A–E).

**Questions:**

1. Has anyone else experienced E-line issues with the Triple Bonnet and 64×64 panels?
2. Is there a known hardware mod or solder bridge needed on the Triple Bonnet for the E-line to work with 64×64 panels (beyond the switch)?
3. Could the level shifter on the bonnet be failing to pass the E signal properly?
4. Is it possible I have a defective bonnet, or is there a configuration step I’m missing?

Any help appreciated — I need the bonnet working to drive multiple parallel chains for an upcoming event.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![board707](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc79bd/32.png) [@board707](https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/u/board707)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://rpi-rgb-led-matrix.discourse.group/t/adafruit-rgb-matrix-triple-bonnet-64x64-panels-show-2-rows-lit-2-rows-dark-stripe-pattern-e-line-issue/1211/2 "2026-04-03T09:10:50Z")

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> [@Shamray](#):
>
> the display shows a repeating pattern of **2 rows lit, 2 rows dark** across the entire panel.  
> …  
> The Triple Bonnet’s E-line routing appears to be defective

The picture on the panel leads to the conclusion that you have an issue with the B-line. Check your wiring and connections again