Hi everyone! I'm brand new to electronics and totally inexperienced, but I'm eager to learn. I'm thinking about a project where I build a portable, battery-powered "Now Serving" display that shows a two-digit counter. It should increment by one each time I press a button, going from 00 to 99, and I'd like the option to reset it back to 00 with a second button. I'm wondering if this is feasible for someone like me with no experience in soldering, coding, or any electronics tinkering at all. I would appreciate any advice on whether I can pull this off, what parts I should use, and if there are any helpful guides out there. Thanks for your help!
1 Answer
Building your project is definitely possible, but keep in mind that larger LED displays can really drain the battery. If you're going for a bright 6-inch display, you might want to consider powering it through USB using a phone charger. Using an Arduino is a great idea—it'll give you the flexibility you need. Start small with a basic display before working your way up to the bigger one. And don't forget, when wiring for the display, look into smart vs dumb displays; smart displays are generally easier to handle!

That's really helpful info! I didn't realize the power consumption would be such a factor. I'll definitely explore those display options and stick with the Arduino to start. Thanks!