Are you a fan of big seven-segment displays? Well, you're in luck! Our adorable, candy-bar sized 4-digit seven-segment display is perfect for integrating a clock, timer, or counter into your next project. These displays offer a bright and clear numeric output. Alongside the four 7-segments, there's a top right dot (great for representing degrees) and two sets of colon-dots, ideal for time-based projects. Each segment shines with 18mcd brightness and consists of two LEDs in series for uniform coloring. You can adjust the current to save power while maintaining the same brightness or crank it up to 20mA for maximum shine. These multiplexed, common-cathode displays can be controlled using a 74HC595 or 8 microcontroller pins, and you'll need NPN transistors or a TPIC6B595 for the cathodes. We highly recommend our backpack version with an LED driver on the back, as this raw display requires more work to get up and running. It comes in a vivid green color, and we also have various sizes and colors available!
Using this 7 - segment display in your project is easy. First, if you choose the raw display, you'll need to connect it to a 74HC595 or use 8 microcontroller pins to control the anodes and NPN transistors or a TPIC6B595 for the cathodes. If you go for the backpack version, it's much simpler as it has an LED driver on the back. When powering the display, you can adjust the current. Lower current saves power while still giving good brightness, or you can use 20mA for the brightest look. Remember, this display is a bit of work to set up if you choose the non - backpack version, so be patient. For maintenance, keep it away from extreme temperatures and physical damage. If you notice any segments not lighting up, check the connections and datasheet for troubleshooting.
