Dangerous Prototypes

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I have a set of flip digit modules and I am tinkering with what would be the best way to use them in a HH:MM:SS clock setup. I am tinkering with a few ideas on how to move them. You see it has three pins for each solenoid, up, ground in the middle, down, and it's that 84 sets of pins I need to move. I have seen people move the dot displays with shift resisters/H-bridges. I was thinking of using a mega and a pair of Centipede Shields to get the needed I/O and voltage .

Any Ideas are welcome. :D

See:
(Same folks who make the ChronoDot )
http://macetech.com/store/index.php?mai (http://macetech.com/store/index.php?mai) ... ucts_id=23

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74HC595 + ULN2003 combo is what I use on regular large led display's for every pin. Not sure what those solenoids require (not sure how you drive them - 3pins? maybe you will need 2 74hc595+uln2003 per digit) but I believe that would be a proper solution for them too

I would use some 595's and 2 mosfets per solenoid. Connect the middle of each solenoid to ground. On the mosfets: connect the gate to the output of the 595, drain to +12V, source to the solenoid. This requires allot of extra hardware. Not very elegant.

Or you could try the Ti TPIC6C595

This only does sinking. Could you try and put the +12V in the middle and GND the outside pins on the solenoid? Should still work.

edit// Also where did you pick those up from? I been looking for some for almost a year now.

I posted a complete hardware solution to this problem on my blog. You can find it at Blogger, under EasternStarGeek.
http://easternstargeek.blogspot.com/201 ... splay.html (http://easternstargeek.blogspot.com/2011/08/nifty-electromechanical-vane-display.html)

BTW, if you find this useful, please drop me a line and let me know!

I also posted a video showing a fun little toy that displays Temperature and Humidity on a scrolling 3-digit LED 7-seg. display.  Lots of useful examples in the code, too!
http://easternstargeek.blogspot.com/201 ... ensor.html (http://easternstargeek.blogspot.com/2011/08/dht22-temperaturehumidity-sensor.html)

Stay tuned!

PS: Hearty thanks to NashblackCat for giving me the incentive to finally get off of my Old-Skool ass and start up my technology blog!

[quote author="longhornengineer"]I would use some 595's and 2 mosfets per solenoid. Connect the middle of each solenoid to ground. On the mosfets: connect the gate to the output of the 595, drain to +12V, source to the solenoid. This requires allot of extra hardware. Not very elegant.

Or you could try the Ti TPIC6C595

This only does sinking. Could you try and put the +12V in the middle and GND the outside pins on the solenoid? Should still work.

edit// Also where did you pick those up from? I been looking for some for almost a year now.[/quote]


Sorry for the delay as I have an ill family member. But I picked up the displays at a Hamfest. in Huntsville, AL. I am going to buy the rest of the box (half a shipper) of them and might be willing to help some folks out with projects.

[quote author="NashblackCat"]
Sorry for the delay as I have an ill family member. But I picked up the displays at a Hamfest. in Huntsville, AL. I am going to buy the rest of the box (half a shipper) of them and might be willing to help some folks out with projects.[/quote]

Thanks! What price are they?

It's been a while but I just got my hands on them right now.  I am selling them for $20 USD Each. New in Bag. Aprox 24 available.

http://www.indigent-networks.com/?p=136 (http://www.indigent-networks.com/?p=136)

 Just put a reply in with your email and we can setup a paypal.