I made a guide on how to make these displays work on a raspberry pi. The tutorial can be found here

I got this working with a Photon. I know it is out of spec but if you provide 3.3V to the driver board instead of 5V it seems to handle 3.3V logic fine.

I also appreciate the codebender integration into the tutorial. It made testing the boards a snap. -Thanks Shawn!

WARNING: before soldering, I’d strongly recommend putting a piece of tape on the back of this board to insulate the vias from the exposed copper traces on the 7 segment display.

On my board, the via connected to pin 10 (RCK) on the shift register wasn’t fully covered by the solder mask and ended up bridging with the exposed 12V trace on the back of the 7 segment board. This caused a short from 12v to pin 10 (RCK) on the shift register, which made ~12V available on all the input pins as well as the 5V pin. I fried a couple Arduinos before I figured out what was happening. Seems like the shift register is fried too. Now that I’ve pulled it off the 7 segment board it’s no longer trying to supply 12V on all the input pins, but it doesn’t seem to do anything anymore.

I’m going to order some new shift registers and try to salvage the board :(

Hello, I'm using this 2 digits driver example on an adruino and it works well. Today I transfert the same code from "arduino uno" to an "ESP8266 (rev3)" and the Digits displays wrong informations (random). Do you know if your large digit driver could work with ESP8266 ? Is there a small difference to do in the code ? Thanks in advance for you help !

I've created a PI/python3 code example: https://github.com/MarkFiechtner/BigClock

It is a 4-digit clock with blinking colon for the second. (third digit is upside down!)

Added a hardware directory to show how I hooked everything up to the PI. I used lots of Sparkfun products -

SparkFun Logic Level Converter - Bi-Directional (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12009); SparkFun ATX Power Connector Breakout Kit - 12V/5V (4-pin) (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15701); (4) 7-Segment Display - 6.5" (Red) (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8530); (4) SparkFun Large Digit Driver (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13279); (1) Jumper Wire - 0.1", 6-pin, 6" (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10371); (2) Jumper Wire - 0.1", 6-pin, 12" (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10376); Another 6-pin jumper to connect to the first digit from the level converter (4", 6" or 12", depending on your need)

Enjoy!

OK, so I got a custom 2-digit display (an 8" version!) working beautifully with the Redboard and two Large Digit Drivers - but my intention was to use this as an event number board controlled by a button or two (one for up, one for down). Has anyone here been successful in coding this? I see other examples online, but they are using an Arduino without the large digit drivers. Thanks! Mark

I am interested in this product for my first Arduino project, a softball scoreboard. As I am new to this stuff, can I prototype the solution & the coding using discrete components from an Arduino starter kit that I already have? Also, can I use the Example: Two Large Digits code, with 2 small 7-segment displays with 2-74HC595s & my Arduino Uno? My goal is to use an IR remote to increment or decrement the score. My coding skills are a work in progress. Thanks.

I'm planning a countdown clock, showing two days digits, two hours digits, two minutes digits and two seconds digits. In total eight 7-segments. Will that be doable using these drivers, having that many in series? Any tips?

Hello,

Could some one help me find a way to input the numbers via a keypad, instead of a counter?

Cheers.

Hello, First Timer here. Using Windows and Arduino UNO board. I've successfully daisy chained 3 LDD's together and made the automated counter up to 999 from here: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/large-digit-driver-hookup-guide/example-two-large-digits

example

I'm trying to make this into a button press counter and am having some difficulty finding the appropriate code to go with this driver since most code is for a breadboard style driver and individually controlling the number segments.

Can I run a button directly into the UNO board? Anybody have suggestions. Thanks

According to the data sheet for the TPIC, provided that I read it right, the logic supply and input voltage should be between -0.3V and 7V, which, again as I understand it, would mean that a Raspberry PI GPIO at 3V3 should be fine as long as the TPIC sees 3V3 on the 5V line. But the datasheet also states that recommended is 4.5-5.5V for Vcc, which has me a bit confused.

Another question, provided I get the logic levels sorted, would a string of 6 of these drivers be compatible with the Pi7SegPy python library (https://pypi.python.org/pypi/Pi7SegPy). From what I understand, a string of these should behave similarly to a string of 74HC595 registers, but you never know... :)

Can a single Arduino Uno power 4 of these Large Digits + an RF receiver? the RF receiver needs 5v (must be less than 6v). I'm not sure how to read the Large Digit datasheet - thank you

TO Member #910971 Thank you! for porting much of the arduino example over to python, I searched all over and I found you posted it in another place as well but couldn't find any working versions ANYWHERE ELSE. So I modified it a little further (in my simple python/pi noob way) and made it function. I also found you were using GPIO.BOARD but referencing pins number in GPIO.BCM

#!/usr/bin/env python

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

GPIO.setwarnings(False)
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

segmentClock=11
segmentLatch=13
segmentData=15

GPIO.setup(segmentClock,GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(segmentData,GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(segmentLatch,GPIO.OUT)

GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.LOW)
GPIO.output(segmentData,GPIO.LOW)
GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.LOW)

number=0


def loop(number):
    showNumber(float(number)) #Test Pattern


def showNumber(value):
    number = abs(value) #Remove negative signs and any decimals

    if number>=10:
        remainder = number % 10
        postNumber(remainder, False)
        number = int(number/10)
        postNumber(number, False)
    else:
        postNumber(number, False)
        postNumber("0", False)

    #Latch the current segment data
    GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.LOW)
    GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.HIGH) #Register moves storage register on the rising edge of RCK

#Given a number, or - shifts it out to the display
def postNumber(number, decimal):
    segments=bytes()
    a=1<<0
    b=1<<6
    c=1<<5
    d=1<<4
    e=1<<3
    f=1<<1
    g=1<<2
    dp=1<<7
    if number == 1: segments = b | c
    elif number == 2: segments = a | b | d | e | g 
    elif number == 3: segments = a | b | c | d | g
    elif number == 4: segments = b | c | f | g
    elif number == 5: segments = a | c | d | f | g
    elif number == 6: segments = a | c | d | e | f | g
    elif number == 7: segments = a | b | c
    elif number == 8: segments = a | b | c | d | e | f | g
    elif number == 9: segments = a | b | c | d | f | g
    elif number == 0: segments = a | b | c | d | e | f 
    elif number == ' ': segments = 0
    elif number == 'c': segments = g | e | d
    elif number == '-': segments = g
    else : segments = 0

 ##mistake likely here   
 #   if ((decimal segments) |= dp ):
    y=0
    while(y<8):
       GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.LOW)
       GPIO.output(segmentData,segments & 1 << (7-y))
       GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.HIGH)
       y += 1


while True:
    number = number + 1
    print number
    loop(count)
    time.sleep(2)
    if number>=99:
        number = 0


GPIO.cleanup()

I hope this can help someone else as well!

Hello. I ported this code to Python to use on a Raspberry Pi, and I must be doing something wrong, because only the right-most digit (of 2 digits) works. Whenever it gets to 10,20,30... it freaks out, then starts counting 1-2-3-4... properly. The number print out on the screen is correct. Where is it going wrong? Thank you!

#!/usr/bin/env python

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
segmentClock=11
segmentLatch=13
segmentData=15

GPIO.setup(segmentClock,GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(segmentData,GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(segmentLatch,GPIO.OUT)

GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.LOW)
GPIO.output(segmentData,GPIO.LOW)
GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.LOW)

number=0

def loop(number):
    print number
    showNumber(float(number)) #Test Pattern
    time.sleep(1)

#Takes a number and displays 2 numbers. Display absolute value (no negatives)
    #look here maybe bug between value+number
def showNumber(value):    
    number = abs(value) #Remove negative signs and any decimals
    x=0
    while(x<2):
        remainder=number % 10
        postNumber(remainder)
        number = number/10
        x += 1

    #Latch the current segment data
    GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.LOW)
    GPIO.output(segmentLatch,GPIO.HIGH) #Register moves storage register on the rising edge of RCK

#Given a number, or - shifts it out to the display
def postNumber(number):
    a=1<<0
    b=1<<6
    c=1<<5
    d=1<<4
    e=1<<3
    f=1<<1
    g=1<<2
    dp=1<<7

    if   number == 1: segments =     b | c                  
    elif number == 2: segments = a | b |     d | e |     g 
    elif number == 3: segments = a | b | c | d |         g
    elif number == 4: segments =     b | c |         f | g
    elif number == 5: segments = a |     c | d     | f | g
    elif number == 6: segments = a |     c | d | e | f | g
    elif number == 7: segments = a | b | c                
    elif number == 8: segments = a | b | c | d | e | f | g
    elif number == 9: segments = a | b | c | d     | f | g
    elif number == 0: segments = a | b | c | d | e | f 
    elif number == ' ': segments = 0
    elif number == 'c': segments = g | e | d
    elif number == '-': segments = g
    else : segments = False

  #  if (segments != dp):
    y=0
    while(y<8):
       GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.LOW)
       GPIO.output(segmentData,segments & 1 << (7-y))
       GPIO.output(segmentClock,GPIO.HIGH)
       y += 1

while (number !=129378917123):
    loop(number)
    number = number+1
    number %= 100

GPIO.cleanup()

The driver arrived few days back and I finally managed to start playing with it. But disappointed. I do not have Sparkfun Large 7 Segment Display. I used other 4" 7 segment Common Anode display. But it didn't work. I followed the arduino hookup guide, connected the abcdefg pins to my display's corresponding pins and uploaded the single digit program. All I got is number 8 glowing forever, along with the dot. No number counting - 1-2-3-4...

I am upset to realize that may be you guys have kept half of the circuit in this driver and half in your display. No where on the driver documentation, I see a word where you assured that it works with standard 12V Common Anode displays.

HI I have 3 big 7 segment display connected together and being controlled by 1 Redboard. Basically each 7 segment display has the same sequence of segments being turned on and off: case 1: segments = a; break; case 2: segments = f; break; case 3: segments = e; break; case 4: segments = d; break; case 5: segments = c; break; case 6: segments = b; break;

I have a delay delay(100 ); set at 100 between each time a segment is going on and off.

The problem I am having is that sequence on the 3 segments are not in sync with each other. The first 7 segment display is fine the second is of by one segment and the third by two.

I am guessing this is a hardware issue since I have them connected with 6 pin jumper wires being run by one Redboard.

Any help would be appreciated.

-------------------- Tech Support Tips/Troubleshooting/Common Issues --------------------

Design Tips

We have used the large digit drivers before during the AVC [ upper left hand corner of this picture => https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparkfun/18877960640/in/album-72157654869278586/ ] but it was in a tent under a small arena. As long as there is some shade you will be able to see the segments light up. In direct sunlight, you will not be able to see any segments.

Testing the display inside in the afternoon, it was obviously better. When there was sunlight shining on the segment, it was hard to see. Try using it under some shade so that sunlight is not shining directly on the 7-segment.

I'm also planning a scoreboard project. I think I understand setting up the LEDS and arduino but how can it be controlled live. For it to function, I need to be able to change the score on the fly. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I'm a complete newbie to Arduino projects, so bear with me. I was planning a project to create a hockey scoreboard for an outdoor rink. I would need two digits for the 'Home' team and another two digits for the 'Away' team each displaying numbers from 0-99 independently. I would obviously need 4 Large LEDs, chaining a pair of them for each 'side'. Do I have enough inputs on the UNO (or sparkfun version) Arduino for this? I see exactly how one pair would hookup and work, but I assume I need a separate connection entirely for the other pair of digits. Or..perhaps..the Arduino masters have a simplier plan that would work. Thanks for any advice.

Will this work on a regular arduino Uno - i.e., non-RedBoard ?