I have zero experience with Arduino, but I think I'm going to have to dive in. I'm constructing 7 "time machines" for various nieces and nephews. These are built into the inside curved lids of antique trunks. I want to add an 8-digit LED display that shows "random" dates.. i.e. 08.15.1832, 11.05.2001 etc. The whole unit needs to be light and compact (Arduino Gemma?) and DC powered (9v if possible).
I really don't know how to proceed. Any help is appreciated. I can/will for assistance also. Thanks in advance. Rick
(attached is bad pic of the first prototype I built, so you get the basic idea. Since then I've got a bit more organized with a focus watch face, some LED lights, brass toggles, a Plasma ball)
You should be able to find examples for driving 7-segment displays. You'll need a driver chip (or multiple driver chips to address all of the segments (7x8). 7-segment displays are slightly tricky, but there are software libraries (which may depend on your driver chips). You may not need to control the colons, so they can probably be wired constantly-on (when power is on) or you can wire & control them all together with one control signal.
You'll probably want to start-out with a single-digit and expand after you get that figured-out.
The random part is super-easy with the [u]random()[/u] function.
(9v if possible)
9V is fine, but a regular 9V battery won't give you much life. (Most people powering Arduino projects with a 9V battery are disappointed.) 4 or 6 AA batteries might be better.
(attached is bad pic of the first prototype I built, so you get the basic idea...
Just to be picky... I'd call that a "mock-up" or a "model". A prototype is supposed to work...
thanks for reply. I'm going to buy a starter kit and see what I can do with one 7-segment display. I also plan to own a mercury switch so the display only comes on when the lid is lifted.
I'd call that a "mock-up" or a "model". A prototype is supposed to work...