I was recently given some 4″ 7-Segment displays, Kingbright SC40-19EWA & of course, I needed to find a use for them.
I only have three, so a clock isn’t possible…
![4" 7-Segment Display](http://www.experimental-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20102014112-300x225.jpg)
As these displays are common cathode, & have a ~9v forward voltage on the main segments, some driver circuity is required to run multiplexed from an Arduino.
![Driver Transistors](http://www.experimental-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20102014111-300x225.jpg)
Driver circuit built on Veroboard, PNP segment transistors on the left, cathode NPN transistors in the centre, level-shifting NPN array on the right.
![Base Bias Resistor Network](http://www.experimental-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20102014110-225x300.jpg)
Base bias resistors on the back of the board to bias the bases of the segment drive transistors correctly.
![Display Rear](http://www.experimental-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20102014109-300x225.jpg)
Board soldered into the pins of the displays, which have been multiplexed.
Schematic to come along with some Arduino code to run a room thermometer, with an LM35 sensor