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Build this thermometer by connecting an LM35 analog temperature sensor to GPIO28 on the CrowPanel Pico, then use MicroPython to read the sensor and draw the Celsius value on the module’s 320×240 TFT display. The CrowPanel is both the controller and screen; the LM35 is the separate component that measures temperature.
What you need for the build
The documented project uses the CrowPanel Pico 2.8-inch display module and an LM35 sensor. Gather these parts before wiring:
- Elecrow CrowPanel Pico Display, 2.8-inch, 320×240
- LM35 analog temperature sensor
- 4-color debug cable and breadboard cables for connections
- USB-C cable and a power bank or suitable USB power source
- LED and 100-ohm resistor, included in the published parts list
The parts list does not specify a purpose or connection for the LED and resistor in the thermometer circuit, so they are not needed for the sensor-to-display wiring described below. The CrowPanel’s documented input is 5V-2A. The thermometer project parts list and build description; Elecrow’s CrowPanel repository.
How the CrowPanel Pico thermometer works
The RP2040 controller samples the LM35’s analog output through its ADC, converts that reading to degrees Celsius, and sends text or graphics to the TFT. The board has a dual-core 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ processor rated at 133 MHz, 264 kB of on-chip SRAM, and support for up to 16 MB of off-chip flash. Its TFT uses an SPI signal interface; the display is 2.8 inches with a 320×240 resolution and resistive touch. Elecrow lists a 43.2 × 57.6 mm active area and overall dimensions of 57 × 88.7 × 13.4 mm. Elecrow’s hardware documentation.
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- Adopts both 4-wire SPI and I2C interface, better compatibility, fast data rate
- 2x user buttons for easy interacting
- Standard Raspberry Pi Pico header, supports Raspberry Pi Pico series boards
- Comes with development resources and manual (Raspberry Pi Pico C/C++ and MicroPython examples)
- Onboard Female Pin Header For Direct Attaching To Raspberry Pi Pico 2x User Buttons For Easy Interacting
Touch is part of the display hardware, but the documented thermometer’s core job is to show temperature. The project does not establish a touch-based thermometer control or publish an independent accuracy result.
Wire the LM35 to GPIO28
The documented sensor connection uses the LM35’s power, ground, and analog output. Connect the sensor output to GPIO28, one of the RP2040’s ADC-capable pins exposed on the board. The thermometer wiring description.
Rank #2
- 2.0” 320x240 pixel IPS LCD screen (~220 PPI 65K colours)|4 x tactile buttons|RGB LED|Pre-soldered female headers for attaching to Pico|Compatible with Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W.|Fully assembled|No soldering required (as long as your Pico has header pins attached).|Dimensions: approx 56mm x 35mm x 11mm (L x W x H includes display)|Screen usable area: 40.8mm x 30.6mm (L x W)|C/C++ and MicroPython libraries|Schematic|Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Pico| MicroPython examples |PicoGraphics function reference|This screen is a wee bit taller than the surrounding buttons so it's worth taking care when pressing the buttons that you're not also pressing down on the screen particularly at the edge with the ribbon cable. Careful pressing with fingertips rather than full on thumb mashing is the way forward.|Even though it's bigger than our other Pico Packs Display 2.0 will still work with Pico Omnibus or Pico Decker if you want to use more than one Pico Pack at once. Please note that if you plug Display 2.0 into a Pico Decker it will overhang the addon slot next to it.
- Connect the LM35 VCC pin to the CrowPanel’s VCC.
- Connect the LM35 GND pin to the CrowPanel’s GND.
- Connect the LM35 analog output pin to GPIO28.
- Check the sensor pinout against its datasheet before powering the circuit; pin order depends on the sensor package and orientation.
Use breadboard cables or the debug cable to make the connections. The project description does not provide a voltage conversion circuit or further electrical limits, so confirm the particular LM35 package and board pin labels before applying power.
Load the MicroPython display program
The published thermometer implementation uses MicroPython and three files: main.py, st7789py.py, and vga1_16x16.py. In that code path, the ST7789 driver controls the display. Put the files on the CrowPanel Pico using the MicroPython workflow supported by your board, then run main.py. The project’s firmware file list and implementation notes.
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- Powerful ESP32-S3 Core – Built on the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N4R8 module, featuring a 32-bit dual-core LX7 processor running up to 240MHz. Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth provide robust wireless connectivity for IoT, smart home, and industrial HMI applications.
- Vibrant 7-Inch Touchscreen – 800×480 high-resolution TFT LCD with responsive capacitive touch. Driven by EK9716BD3 & EK73002ACGB controllers, delivering smooth, intuitive user interaction and crisp visuals.
- Multi-Platform Development Friendly – Fully compatible with Arduino IDE, Espressif IDF, PlatformIO, and MicroPython. Supports the LVGL graphics library and openHASP, making it easy for beginners and pros to build rich UIs quickly.
- Expandable Connectivity – Onboard TF card slot, USB interface, speaker port, battery connector, and multiple peripheral interfaces. Plug-and-play expandability meets diverse needs – from data logging to audio feedback and mobile operation.
- Ready-to-Use with Acrylic Case – Comes with a protective acrylic case, perfect for desktop development or embedded into final products. Saves setup time and enhances durability.
The code must initialize the display, configure GPIO28 as an ADC input, sample the LM35, convert the sample to Celsius, and render the result. The project description does not publish a complete code listing or a measured accuracy figure; use the original project files for the exact conversion and display initialization rather than assuming a particular calibration or sampling interval.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing the right CrowPanel software path
Elecrow also provides Arduino examples, schematics, datasheets, factory firmware, source code, and lists LVGL 8.3.3 as a display-driver dependency for the Pico product. Those are other resources for the Pico, not interchangeable instructions for the MicroPython/ST7789 thermometer. Elecrow’s repository.
Rank #4
- 1.3" LCD Display Module works with Raspberry Pi Pico Microcontroller Board
- 240×240 resolution, IPS screen, 65K RGB colors, clear and colorful displaying effect
- SPI interface, requires minimal IO pins
- 1x joystick and 4x user buttons for easy interacting
A separate Elecrow tutorial covers a related 2.8-inch ESP32 CrowPanel using a DHT20 sensor, LVGL 9.1.0, TFT_eSPI 2.5.31, and touch-controlled LED output. That setup measures temperature and humidity with a digital sensor over I2C; it targets an ESP32 platform rather than the RP2040 Pico and is not drop-in firmware for this build. Elecrow’s ESP32 PlatformIO tutorial.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 160×128 resolution, 65K RGB colors, clear and colorful displaying effect
- SPI interface, requires minimal IO pins
- Comes with development resources and manual (Raspberry Pi Pico C/C++ and MicroPython examples)
| Build path | Controller and sensor | Sensor connection | Software stack | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Documented thermometer | CrowPanel Pico (RP2040) and LM35 | Analog output to GPIO28/ADC | MicroPython with ST7789 driver | You want a Celsius readout using the LM35 analog sensor. |
| Related ESP32 tutorial | 2.8-inch ESP32 CrowPanel and DHT20 | Digital temperature/humidity sensor over I2C | LVGL 9.1.0 and TFT_eSPI 2.5.31 | You want the separate ESP32 lesson’s humidity and touch-controlled LED features, and have the matching ESP32 hardware. |
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