Hooking up a 7 segment 4 character display

Other Hardware Displays
1

Hi there, very new here and to arduino.

I recently bought a chinese 4 character display, and I've tried quite a few examples of how to hook one up but can't seem to get it to do anything. I managed to find the data sheet but I can't really understand it.

Ive attached the data sheet, the info is in chinese but it does have a diagram.

any pointers to get me started are appreciated.

Thanks

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2

It's a 12pin common anode 4x7 display. You will probably be best off using it with a 74HC595 8 Bit Shift Register. There is likely to be a raft of information in the Arduino playground.

3

You need to give the links (URLs) to the vendor's page and the datasheet.

4

That's a 'multiplexed' display so you might want to look through the 'LEDs and Multiplexing' section of the forum.

Don

5

Thanks for the heads up guys, I'm not sure what a multiplex is or an 8 bit shift register but I will do some research on that and post in the led/multiplex forum

6

I'm not sure the 74HC595 is the right device for common anode displays but, if it isn't, there will be something like it that is!

7

Managed to find a library on github for dealing with seven segment displays, with this I dont need the shift register. GitHub - DeanIsMe/SevSeg: Seven segment display controller library for Arduino

All sections are lighting up now, the output is just a bit garbled, i guess I have the pins in the wrong places.

8

Maybe... you could use the (very old) 74HCT47 IC? It gives the right seven segments output, but is BCD coded, so the input bits only go to 1001

Marc

9

For this common anode 7Seg display I think that the TPIC6B595 would be suitable

For technical corroboration 8)

CrossRoads:
Yes, use common anode display with TPIC6B595, combines HC595 & ULN2803 into one chip.

Note - that library cannot negate the fact that you still need the correct driver/transistor etc for these displays IMHO

10

I see so the seven segment display still needs a shift register, otherwise it will only display random segments no matter how I wire it?

11

No. The shift register just cuts down on the number of I/O pins that are required.

Don