Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

EL Wire/Tape/Panels, LEDs, pixels and strips, LCDs and TFTs, etc products from Adafruit

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BluesPwr1009
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by BluesPwr1009 »

I'll try that in the morning and get back to you.

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BluesPwr1009
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by BluesPwr1009 »

I removed the pullup resistors from one of the boards and the boards still don't work together.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Please post the code you are using,

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BluesPwr1009
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by BluesPwr1009 »

Just to test the displays in the same circuit, I have stepped away from my original code, and set up a very basic test code to check the two displays in the same circuit. In short, my test is a complete failure with both displays in circuit. Here is the test code:

Code: Select all

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include "Adafruit_LEDBackpack.h" 

Adafruit_7segment matrix1 = Adafruit_7segment();
Adafruit_7segment matrix2 = Adafruit_7segment();
 
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Double 7 Segment Backpack Test");
 
  matrix1.begin(0x70);
  matrix2.begin(0x71);
}

void loop() {
   for (uint16_t counter = 0; counter < 9999; counter++) {
    matrix1.println(counter);
    matrix1.writeDisplay();
    delay(10);
  }

   for (uint16_t counter2 = 0; counter2 < 9999; counter2++) {
    matrix2.println(counter2);
    matrix2.writeDisplay();
    delay(10);
  }
} 

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BluesPwr1009
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by BluesPwr1009 »

Good news! It wasn't my circuit or my code. It was my breadboard the whole time. Apparently, even though it is brand new, it is defective in some way. I tried another one I had and the circuit works perfectly. Thanks for your help anyway. I am sure I'll have more questions at some point.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

A common issue with full-size breadboards is that some are designed with a split power-bus. The power and ground buses do not run the full length of the board. You need to use a jumper to connect the two halves of the board. On most (but sadly not all) boards with this feature, the red & blue lines indicating the power and ground bus also have a gap in the middle.

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BluesPwr1009
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by BluesPwr1009 »

That seems to be the case with mine. In any case, I have it wired up on my other breadboard. I posted a coding issue in another post in this section of the forum, called "Output RTC Month to Alphanumeric Display." Are you able to help with that?

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saunj
 
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Re: Multiple 7-Segment & Alphanumeric Displays for a Clock

Post by saunj »

I wish Adafruit had mentioned the pull-ups in their description of the backpack. I can't remove them now from the 6 I have in a row. However, I am using a Picaxe, which can sink 20 MA.

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