By using these driver ICs, the complexity of wiring and control is significantly reduced. “I’ve built a digital clock made out of 144 seven-segment displays controlled by an Arduino Nano.

In a multiplexed arrangement, a single Arduino Nano is able to drive up to 12 seven segment displays, but only 9 needed to be driven for the program, keeping D13’s built in LED and the serial ...

And we end up seeing all kinds of display techniques being used to show time. For the simplest of builds, 7-segment display modules usually get dug up from the parts bin.