7 Feet 7 Segment RGB Display With BT App

This is my long term dream to make a 6 feet clock( but here is a 7 feet display), but so for it is only dream. This is the first step to make the first digit but while working i feel with out machines like laser cutter its very hard to done such a big project. After finish the project for two full day and night, my hands are very hurt.

I cant able to get more LED strips this make my work more cut almost 186 pieces of wire and strip both side sleeves and solder almost 372 points. That work take almost 10 hours all one done by basic tools no special tools. But this project increase my patience level and confidence.

Step 1: Materials Required

Materials Required

1) Corrugated Board ((90 +200 + 90)380 X 998 mm) single play is enough but i only able to get 2 play board (7 boards).

2) Corrugated Board Strips (30 X 1000mm) - 7 Nos.

3) 460 mm X 1000mm White paper.

4) Addressable RGB LED Strips (i use only one 60 Nos strip but its very hard to work if you able to get 7 steps then its super and the display is very bright).

5) Arduino Uno - 1No.

6) HC05 Bluetooth module - 1 No.

7) LM2596 DC to DC Voltage Regulator. - 1No

8) 3.7V 18650 Battery - 2 Nos

9) 18650 Double Battery Holder with switch - 1 No

10) Plain PCB

11) Male and Female header pins.

12) Lot of wires.

Step 2: Plan

I calculate the normal 7 segment display and with the proportion of height change all other dimension for 6 feet height ( actually its nearly 7 feet) because i calculate one led height for 3 feet. I have only one LED strips and cant able to get new one so plan it for the while display and calculate the distance between each point.

All my projects started with the arduino shield but in this project i first start with the display construction because i am not sure i can able to finish it while i start.

Step 3: Make the Base Piece

Make the base in a single piece is my plan so for include folding i need the sheet of size (998.4mm X 383 mm).

HOW 383

Side walls 90mm + 90 mm and the width 203mm so 90+90+203=383

HOW 998.4
Actual height of a LED is 914.4 reduce the height of the slanting piece in straight on both sides ( 101.6+101.6=203.2) (914.4-203.2 = 711.2). Then add the slanting piece slanting height on both sides (143.6 + 143.6=287.2), So (711.2 + 287.2 = 998.4).

I got the board from the scarp seller its an 2 play hard board and it measures (1000mm X 400mm). I purchase 2 boxes with lid, so total 4 pieces. Cut and take 7 pieces for my requirement and use the balance one piece for making strips for lid. I use sharp paper cutting knife.

Step 4: Complete the Base

Draw the lines for folding in the cut pieces. Divide the length in to (90 X 203 X 90 mm) and height in to (143 X 711 X 143mm). Fully cut for slanting pieces fold. Cut one top layer for the folding pieces and fold in the opposite side. Join the folding together and join it using 3" Sellotape. Don't cut the excess pieces now its used for handling and storage after complete all works then we cut it.

Step 5: Intermediate Check

Assemble in the separate pieces and make the seven segment display.

Step 6: Work Started

I Like the finished step so a small selfie.

Step 7: Cut Strips for Lid

we need 14 nos of corrugated box strips 1000 mm X 25 mm. We already have a 1000 X 400mm piece balance from the base box. Draw straight line for 25 mm, its very easy because normal steel scale width is 25 mm. Cut the strips carefully.

Step 8: Make the Lid Wall

Take two strips (1000mm X 25mm), join both sides using sello tape, cut the single layer in the turns and the lid wall is ready.

Step 9: Complete the Lid and Test

Paper is already 1000mm height so cut the paper 273mm (203+10+10+25+25) X 1000mm.

Fold 25mm on both sides and paste it with the walls side using fevicol (Gum). Close the Lid and fold the sides with the led walls in the slanting and remove the lid, cut the excess paper on the sides, paste the slanting sides to the walls and lid is ready.

As i already told i have only 1 led strip i want to conform this is
enough for this size. So insert the single LED strip in side the box and make only 8 LEDS glow, but the 8 the one come out of the box so only 7 leds. Its nice so i start make other lids.

Step 10: Complete All Lids

After complete its look like storage bins. Give albabets for each base

Step 11: Make a Shield

Its a very simple circuit. Two 18650 battery output directly goes to arduino vin pin and D5 data pin is connected to led strip data. 5v and gnd for led strip go through LM2596 DC to DC voltage regulator from battery. HC05 5 v and gnd go from arduino 5 v and gnd, tx and rx go from arduino rx and tx. I use the shield make for my previous project.

Step 12: Arduino Program

Download arduino program from the following Link.

In the arduino program i created two multidimensional array. First array to mention what is the LED addresses in each strip and in the second array use 0 and 1's to indicate which strips on and off for each number from 0 to 9. Now clear all the leds to off and switch on the strip with the help of the array. Use the color you choose. When cmd receive from android it show the number or run the timer.

Step 13: Android App

Download the apk file from this link and install it in your mobile.

In the arduino app we have buttons 0 to 9 to send which number to show. And count up and count down timer button and with run button the timer run in different colors. You have the color picker to select the color from the color palette.

Open the app connect with the uno bluetooth and press the button to work.

Step 14: Prepare Wires

This is a difficult task, I cut almost 186 pieces of wire and strip both side sleeves and solder both ends so 372 points first. I take 120mm of wire, use three colors red for +5v, black for gnd and blue for data.

Step 15: Solder the LED

At first write the address of the LED using permanent marker. Then cut it in to pieces. Use already the wire to connect the LEDS. Be careful while soldering. Make a 7 strips each with 8 leds. It take a long time.

Step 16: Make Connectors and Check the Lights

Connection between each strips is given using male and female header pins. In the output end use female header and in input side use make header.

Step 17: Glue the LEDS in Equal Distance

Cut 845 mm of corrugated board strips and in the start measure 20mm and then 114.8 mm and mark the center. Use hot glue gun stick the LEDS in the corrugated board strips. Number each strips from 1 to 7. Check the strip before fit inside the box with sample code.

Step 18: Fix Strips Inside the Box

As per the plan fix the strips inside the box using hot glue gun. Carefully check the connector side while fix the strips in side the box. Take the wire out through the lower bottom gap. Arrange in the floor and check the finishing. Actually its very late night so the photos of the finishing is dim and due to very big size flash also not work.

Step 19: Fix It in the Frame and Stand It Up

While with out leds and cover the box is weight less, so now it not able to stand straight. Use pvc pipe to make frame and fix the box with the frame using wire tie. Now flip the frame and close the cover. Connect the arduino in the led inlet. Now its ready to rock.

Step 20: Run Cmd From Android

Its look very bright in dark and ok in light, if use more strips its more glow. But after finish it i cant able to take it out side so all the photos are from inside the room.

Step 21: Inside 1 to 10

Step 22: Have Fun

With each number take seperate photos indicate your date of birth or year and use apps to join images to make it your profile picture in public web pages.

This is the most hard project i work so far after complete the project as single person the body got more pain. But as said earlier with out patience i cant able to complete this project. Apart from technology i learn hard working and patience in this project.

Thank you for going through my project.

Lot more to enjoy...............Don't forgot to comment and encourage me friends.