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Look what I found while cleaning the shop... — Parallax Forums

Look what I found while cleaning the shop...

Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
in General Discussion
I bought these new over 20 years ago and never found a project for them. Perhaps someone here can suggest one? I made a portable scoreboard years ago using some larger versions of these. Their uniqueness is they only need a pulse of power to change and then they remain static. The company has since been sold to someone else.
digit1.jpg
1328 x 747 - 388K
digit2.jpg
1328 x 747 - 299K
digit3.jpg
1328 x 747 - 360K

Comments

  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    How many do you have?

    I would start with a giant voltage meter. How tall are they?

  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    Nvm, just saw the 1.5". Still very nice looking.
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,173
    Don M wrote: »
    Perhaps someone here can suggest one?

    Cute, but seems to have no decimal point support ? - that limits the choices.
    1.5" is also not large.
    Dynamic letter box numbers for 3 paranoid friends ? ;)

  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,451
    These used to be the standard for outdoor scoreboard displays, because they can be read in both low light (with illumination) and bright sunlight. They have pretty much been obsoleted by superbright LED displays, which are also visible in sunlight and have no moving parts.

    Fun fact: Signalex flip digit displays don't work very well in a scrapyard where they use big magnets to pick up the ferrous scrap.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    And you know this from experience? :) Sounds like it, makes sense.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    Neat item. You don't by any chance live in a train station, stock exchange or sports stadium, do you?
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    What a great find.

    Recently I have been pondering ways to build such a "reflective" display. Seven segment LEDs, Nixie tubes, VFD's and such are cool and all. But, well, everyone has that now.

    I was homing in on the idea of a clock with a scrolling tape with numbers printed on it.

  • wmosscropwmosscrop Posts: 409
    They also used a variation of these for transit bus route/destination signs (typically alphanumeric dot-matrix above the windshield and a route number display on the rear). I seem to recall they were made by a company called "Luminator".

    And yes, I used to work in a bus factory.

    That said, how much current does it take to drive one of these? 4 of these could be used to make a clock...

    ...or a unique kitchen timer.

    I've been toying with the idea of making a pinball scoring reel clock for some time, just never got around to it, probably because of the current needed by the solenoids.

    Are you interested in selling any of these?

    Walter


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