its got a common cathode.
i'd liek to drive it with my arduino eleven clone through a shift register (74hc595). which is currently light 7 seperate led's (which i want to replace with this 7 segment display)
but the data sheet says forward voltage is 3v and i think the arduino runs off 5v
will it work? i'm using some 470ohm resistors to help add a bit of resistance.
You should use a resistor for every segment. If I google for it, I see that 470 Ohm is used most of the times.
Scroll down on this page for a similar schematic, Arduino Forum
yay, plugged it in, all good.
i used a 470ohm resister to each segment.
I'm not sure what you mean about not applying a voltage to them. I have to apply a voltage to create a high or low signal. Or in other terms, to have electricity 'flow' through a circuit i need voltage don't i?
sorry if im' not making myself clear. its been a long while since i did basic electronics at school :0)
If you apply a voltage with unlimited current, the leds of the 7 segment display will get overheated very quickly if the voltage is too high.
If you apply a current, there a a voltage over the leds. But that voltage can be called a 'voltage drop'.
Use any led you have, and try a few things. If you connect a led to a 5V power supply without resistor, you might see a flash or not. But the led is broken. If the voltage is too low, the led doesn't do anything. Connect the led with a resistor to 5V and it is okay. Perhaps you should wear safety glasses.
magnets:
but the data sheet says forward voltage is 3v and i think the arduino runs off 5v
will it work? i'm using some 470ohm resistors to help add a bit of resistance.