Arduino Real Time Clock With Large 7-segment Displays

Hello,

I saw some RTC projects on the internet, but none of them were shown with 7-segment Displays.

This instructables is about my version of the RTC shown with 7-segment Displays.

I am using a RTC DS1307, to keep the correct time, to show this time I am using four large 7-segment Displays and an Arduino Uno with four 8-bit shiftregisters.

This project is concealed in a box, which displays are cut to size from the box and the back and top of this box are made out of plexiglass, so you can watch it from the inside.

Step 1: List of Materials Used

- 01 x RTC-module (DS1307)

- 01 x Arduino Uno

- 04 x 74HC595 Shiftregister (8-bit)

- 04 x 7-Segment Displays (Common Anode).

- 28 x 560 ohm resistors

- 01 x stripboard

- 04 x 16 pins IC socket

- 01 x set jumper wires

Step 2: Wire Up the RTC With the Arduino Uno

Wire up the RTC, just like shown in the photograph.

Step 3: Arduino Script RTC

This is the Arduino script for programming the RTC with the right time. You can adjust the time and read it if you want in serial monitor.

RTC_automatisch_tijd_instellen__.ino
Download

Step 4: 74HC595 IC & 7-segment Displays

We use the 74HC595 IC, to minimalise the Arduino input pins needed for the four 7-segment Displays.

This IC can be used with more, you only have to connect the date pin with the next one.

Connect the 7-segment Displays:

Q0 - Q7 of the IC are there to connect the 7 inputs from your 7-segment Display. Q0 - Segment A, Q1 - Segment B, etc. (pin lay-out in the photograph).

Make sure you dont demolish your segments in the Displays, I am using 560 Ohm resistors for this.

If you connected your displays, you will notice that there are four pins remaining: 9, 11, 12, 14. Connect these pins like shown in the photograph. Now only pin 9 remains to connect, this is your data output you need to send to the next IC, this output goes to the next IC pin 14, etc. You need to connect pin 11 & 12 to your next IC also.

I minimalised the space, by solder these IC's on a stripboard.

Step 5: Arduino Script to Show the Time

This is the Arduino script to show the time from the RTC, on to your 7-segment Displays.

RTC___Display_code.ino
Download

Step 6: Case

I made my case with some help from makercase.com

I really want to show the inside of my project, but I wanted it to look good too. That is why I chose to make the back and top out of plexiglass and the rest out of wood.

These two files are the files I used for laser cutting the box.