Hi guys just wondering if i connect the outputs of a single cd4026be decade counter ic to a,b,c etc on a 4 digit 7 segment display could i drive it using an arduino providing the clock pulse? thanks in advance
Yes, but study the data sheet carefully. You need current limiting resistors on each segment, and the proper common anode or cathode arrangement.
There are better choices.
so what is the best option for this application (i have managed to have the cd4026 drive a single digit display)
Why that chip?
A max7219 is a much better choice.
but it thought that as i only need to count up and reset that a more barebones chip woukld be more costeffective
I wouldn't connect that chip directly, You'd need to add some MOSFET or BJT and some diodes, which would kill any savings.
Are you planning on using this with an Arduino? If so then the max7219 is one of the best ways to go.
yeah im using arduino. so ill look into max7219
For about the same cost as an individual chip, you can get a complete 4x 7-segment backpack, that is ready to be hooked up to your Arduino.
ok ill look into this. thanks!
No worries
There are loads of examples on how to use them as well.
There are also 14-segment LEDs that let you do letters and numbers.
Have fun exploring!
thanks!
The answer is yes, you could do that and it would "work" in that you could get segments to light up. But you could only use one of the 4 digits, and you could only light one segment at a time of that digit. You could not have the digit display "3" because that would need 5 segments to be lit at once.
Found this on the Elegoo Super Starter Kit for UNO PDF guide:
Elegoo Super Starter Kit for UNO V1.0.2019.09.17.pdf (998.7 KB)
It uses the 74HC595 IC, though.
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If each stage of the decade counter activated a different MOSFET, which let power be branched off to the correct segments, then any configuration could be displayed. Though, as you said, it would really only drive one digit, or they would all display the same digit.
It's a bad example. The current limiting resistors are on the digit common pins, which would result in "1" looking brighter than "8" for example.
That reminds me, we don't actually know if @BigTogepi 's display is common anode or common cathode. If it is common anode, then the cd4026be would light all segments except one (on one digit) at any time. So it would be able to display "0", "6", "8", "9", "A", "G", "a", "e" & "g".
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