This library is based on the Pibrella framework, you might find much of it familiar. It's got added motors, capacitive touch and analog input though!

Explorer HAT and Explorer HAT Pro both require i2c, the easiest way to enable it is with our simple script:

curl get.pimoroni.com/i2c | bash

They also require the SMBus Python module, which you'll need to install like so:

sudo apt-get install python-smbus

And you'll need "pip" if you don't already have it:

sudo apt-get install python-pip

You should now be able to install Explorer HAT with Pip:

sudo pip install explorerhat

To get started, start up a Python interactive shell:

sudo python

or

sudo idle

...and poke Explorer HAT's innards to see what it's got to offer:

import explorerhat
explorerhat.input
explorerhat.output
explorerhat.touch
explorerhat.light

On Explorer HAT Pro, you will also find:

import explorerhat
explorerhat.analog
explorerhat.motor

To turn on one of the lights, address it by the name you found above:

import explorerhat
explorerhat.light.red.on()

Or you can wait for a touch on one of the buttons:

import explorerhat
def ohai(channel, event):
    print("Ohai! I got a touch on button: {}".format(channel))
explorerhat.touch.one.pressed(ohai)

Explorer HAT uses an output driver chip called the ULN2003A, which contains a set of transistor pairs called a Darlington Array. It transforms the small logic signal of the Pi into something capable of driving much bigger loads, such as motors, steppers, lights and more.

The 4 outputs on Explorer HAT can sink 5V, but not source. This means you need to connect your load to one of the 5V pins, and then to the output. When you turn the output on it will connect your circuit to ground, allowing current to flow and your load to turn on. This is the opposite of using a bare Pi GPIO pin, where you might connect to the pin and then to ground; keep this in mind!

• Explorer HAT Function Reference
• Explorer HAT Pinout