Counting up/down clock with 7 segment numbers

Other Miscellaneous
1

Hello, I am inquiring to see if anyone would be able to help me figure out or explain whats exact parts I would need for a project. This project is a counting clock using the 6" 7 segment numbers for a musical/play in a few weeks. I would need 13 digits to be displayed total, but only 3 numbers actually need to change. In our theatre stock we have 12v power supplies and DMX converters. This would preferably need to run through our DMX converters and also needs to be as cheap as possible. -Thanks

Part SKU: COM-05530

2

Hi Mpalumbo99.

I can tell you what parts I’d use in your case if that helps. Unfortunately I can’t help you write the code needed to make it all work.

Here’s what I’d go with:

  • - 13x - [[7-Segment Display - 6.5" (Red)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8530)
  • - 3x - [[SparkFun Large Digit Driver](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13279)
  • - 1x - [[SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32 WROOM](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14689)
  • - 1x - [[SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus DMX to LED Shield](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15110)
  • - 2x - [[Power Connector Breakout Kit - 12V/5V](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15701)
    • [/list]

    For the 10 digits you don’t need to control, simply wiring the appropriate segments to 12 volts and ground will display a static number. Just setup each digit where you need them with the right segments connected and you’re done. One of the Power Connector Breakout Kits would be used to run these 10 displays.

    For the three digits that need to change, it gets a bit more complicated. Our Large Digit Driver boards can be attached to those three digits and then wired onto the Thing Plus. The Thing would then have a little sketch running on it that sends the appropriate data out to the drivers to display whatever number you’re looking for on the three digits. If you needed to send information to the Thing on what digits to display and can create that data on DMX, the DMX shield could be used to capture the data, pass it to the Thing for processing and then the Thing would send the data onto the display. The second power connector breakout runs the Thing, the last 3 digits and drivers and the DMX shield.

    It might be a bit complex to do all that. I’d start by setting up the 10 static digits and getting those going. Then I’d connect the last three digits and their drivers to the Thing and write your program that displays numbers. Once that’s working, add DMX control to your code and you’re all set.

    You’re going to want to check out the hookup guides for the Large Digit Drivers, the Thing Plus and the DMX Shield for code examples and general usage help too.](SparkFun ATX Power Connector Breakout Kit - 12V/5V (4-pin) - KIT-15701 - SparkFun Electronics)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15110)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14689)](SparkFun Large Digit Driver - WIG-13279 - SparkFun Electronics)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8530)