Common anode 7-Segment & Shift Registers

[johnnyfortune]

Hola Everyone,

So I am working an a project that will use a number of 7-Segment LED displays. I am trying to make a sign that displays the current date & time, as well as the temp. I am using 4 digits for the time, 3 for temp, and 8 digits for the date. I have the sensors and clock module already, as well as a few other odds and ends.

Unfortunately I did not do enough research before hand to discover whether I really wanted Common anode or Common cathode.

Right now I have already ordered a number of 1" Common anode 7-Segments. I am looking for some advice on how best to control around 15 digits with Shift Registers?

Basically I want something as close to this as possible: http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ShiftOut

Ideally I would like a specific chip. I know the MAX7219CNG works for Common Cathode, is their a similar chip for Common Anode that anyone can recommend? I've seen a few tutorials for ICM7228. But I can only find them on ebay for sale.

Im not averse to buying them from ebay, I was just wondering if there is a better chip that im not seeing somewhere?

Also, I was planning on getting a 5V barrel breadboard power supply to power the 15 LEDs. Would one 5v adapter be enough?

IDK if this makes a difference, but the project is doctor who theme'd fan art. Thanks for Reading!

EDIT:

I found this post earlier. Basically he is doing this 4 times. And I would need to do this 15 times. Is this the most efficient way?

http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paulselec/post/arduino-cascading-shift-registers-to-drive-7-segment-displays.aspx

Is there any chip that can say control multiple 7-segments from one chip?

[CrossRoads]

Yes, just not common anode.
I offer a board with a '328P and 12 TPIC6B595 shift registers, for common anode displays (LED strips, but single 7-segment displays as well).
2 can be daisy chained for up to 24 digits. The 2nd does not need the 328P circuit, just the shift registers.
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/

[PaulRB]

Hi,

SAA1064 chips will drive common anode displays. I have used them before to drive 1.2" blue 7-seg displays. You will need 4 saa1064 chips to drive your 15 digits, each chip will need a couple of transistors to enable it to drive 4 digits. They use the i2c bus so only 2 Arduino pins needed. 4 saa1064 can be connected to the same i2c bus.

For your power supply, only one supply will be needed but it must have adequate ratings. What is the forward voltage of the segments in your displays, and the max current?

Paul