Sgt Wookie/elec mech (others too of course, but you 2 have been guiding me through this the most),
After my screw up ordering the incorrect 7 seg displays, I decided to order the correct CA displays and wait patiently for them to arrive. Instead of going with the .3", I decided to make the strike counter more visible and ordered the 1.0" displays from Mouser.
Per Sgt Wookies suggestion, I also have switched from using a 9V battery during the debugging to a regulated power supply. One point to note is my regulated power supply is 12V, not the 9V previously referenced.
I have updated the circuit below based on my current power supply and the fact that I am using larger displays. I tried to read over past threads, both involving my project and others, and have tried to adjust components accordingly.
First, based on the fact I am not using the low current displays, I inserted the ULN2804 between the 4543 and the resistors (the same set-up I plan to use on the extra large 5" displays). Second, I adjusted the pull up resistors (R6, R11-R13) to 3.3K (used to be 1.8K). I found a thread where Sgt Wookie provided/suggested an equation so I jumped in and used it for this calculation.
I have built this circuit with the following mods: Only using U1a and I have a LED being lit when the light is blocked as a visual reference.
I would like to explain what is happening in the hope that someone can help troubleshoot my issues. Make no mistake, I have tripple checked the connections so I hope it is not that "type" of a screw up.
When I plug in the power supply, the displays range from 2 displays blank, 1 with a ZERO, 2 displays blank, 1 with a 3. When I cover the LDR, the reference LED lights up, but there is only a slight flicker on the displays and then the one that is lit goes out. I am using a wire at the MR of the 4543 and when I touch it to the positive rail, the displays flicker and the 1 display that was on at first come back on (used to be a ZERO, now a 3?)
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Certain places to check with my meter to see if componets are whacked? It seems like my 4553/4543 is not responding to the 339 at all - or not getting to the displays? As mentioned above, the Vcc was 9V and is now 12V because of what was available to me. Please let me know if other adjustments are necessary and/or where to start troubleshooting this baby.
Thanks everyone.
After my screw up ordering the incorrect 7 seg displays, I decided to order the correct CA displays and wait patiently for them to arrive. Instead of going with the .3", I decided to make the strike counter more visible and ordered the 1.0" displays from Mouser.
Per Sgt Wookies suggestion, I also have switched from using a 9V battery during the debugging to a regulated power supply. One point to note is my regulated power supply is 12V, not the 9V previously referenced.
I have updated the circuit below based on my current power supply and the fact that I am using larger displays. I tried to read over past threads, both involving my project and others, and have tried to adjust components accordingly.
First, based on the fact I am not using the low current displays, I inserted the ULN2804 between the 4543 and the resistors (the same set-up I plan to use on the extra large 5" displays). Second, I adjusted the pull up resistors (R6, R11-R13) to 3.3K (used to be 1.8K). I found a thread where Sgt Wookie provided/suggested an equation so I jumped in and used it for this calculation.
I have built this circuit with the following mods: Only using U1a and I have a LED being lit when the light is blocked as a visual reference.
I would like to explain what is happening in the hope that someone can help troubleshoot my issues. Make no mistake, I have tripple checked the connections so I hope it is not that "type" of a screw up.
When I plug in the power supply, the displays range from 2 displays blank, 1 with a ZERO, 2 displays blank, 1 with a 3. When I cover the LDR, the reference LED lights up, but there is only a slight flicker on the displays and then the one that is lit goes out. I am using a wire at the MR of the 4543 and when I touch it to the positive rail, the displays flicker and the 1 display that was on at first come back on (used to be a ZERO, now a 3?)
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Certain places to check with my meter to see if componets are whacked? It seems like my 4553/4543 is not responding to the 339 at all - or not getting to the displays? As mentioned above, the Vcc was 9V and is now 12V because of what was available to me. Please let me know if other adjustments are necessary and/or where to start troubleshooting this baby.
Thanks everyone.