3 ms·
If this is something you want to play with, but these high end Daktronics units are too expensive, search AliExpress for "gas station price display". Here's, f
by tyingq 3y ago
If this is something you want to play with, but these high end Daktronics units are too expensive, search AliExpress for "gas station price display".
Here's, for example, a 12 inch 7-segment high single digit for ~$38, including shipping: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802774192337.html https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802774192337.html
You can use their driver boards, or just scale up a cheap 7-segment driver with a few extra parts to drive the 12v it wants for each segment.
- pavel_lishin 3y agoIf you ever see a car hit a light pole with a crosswalk sign, you can also ask the city if you can take it home; they have very similar stuff inside, including a double seven-digit display. It's not really "programmable", though - the only thing you can set is the duration of the walk/stop cycle, and how long the warning countdown lasts, and iirc it's powered by some pretty high voltages. But nothing is stopping you from connecting to the LEDs directly, via some pins that you can use a ribbon cable to connect to.
- russellbeattie 3y agoInteresting I've recently noticed these popping up all over at those independent gas stations that are somehow substantially cheaper than national chains. This type of display must have just become easily available or made 10x cheaper or something.
- ryukoposting 3y agoThere seems to be a cottage industry of Chinese manufacturers making super-cheap products out of LEDs that would have failed QA at the LED factory. The LEDs often still turn on, but they're quite dim and will die very quickly.