Comments on: Build a 9-digit Pulse Counter for under $20

By: Building a pulse counter on the cheap « The tech telecom and all

Building a pulse counter on the cheap « The tech telecom and all — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:07:15 +0000

[...] to reverse engineer a stepper motor on a linear actuator that he was repairing, so he built this 9-digit pulse counter to keep track of how the motor was being controlled. It’s a pretty standard circuit, however [...]

By: Barry S

Barry S — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:44:49 +0000

Thanks for your help! This will be fun

By: imsolidstate

imsolidstate — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:45:55 +0000

Start with the datasheet for the two chips. The schematic is there. Then decide if you are going to breadboard it, or maybe use perfboard if you can’t etch your own boards. Wire it up just like in the schematic. The MAX232 also has a schematic in the datashseet. The output of that chip is the input to the counter. The MAX232 buffers the signal and protects the counters from voltage spikes. You can wire the Merc’s diagnostic wire to the input of the MAX232 and it will trigger as long as the signal crosses approximately 2.5V. Good luck.

By: Barry S

Barry S — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:13:14 +0000

I have two goals. 1.Build this as a learning experience. 2
Use the counter to count pulses generated by a Mercedes diagnostic trouble code provision on pre 1996 model vehicles. I have electrical skills but no experience with building this sort of thing. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

By: imsolidstate

imsolidstate — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:59:35 +0000

I use EagleCAD. Eagle has LED 7-segment components, but I had to make the three digit part in my library. With Eagle you just set up your own library and then make any components that aren’t in Eagle’s library.

By: John Jakubowski

John Jakubowski — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:11:57 +0000

Thank you! What Layout/Schematic software do you use? I’ve never found one with components like the LED displays.

By: imsolidstate

imsolidstate — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:55:02 +0000

I just updated the post to include my schematic and PCB layout. I don’t have any finished PCBs, pretty much everything I make is one-off. Maybe when I’m done with school I’ll have time to make batches.

By: John Jakubowski

John Jakubowski — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:05:05 +0000

Do you have a PCB available for this circuit?

By: Ron Smith

Ron Smith — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:16:08 +0000

Hello
Where do I get a PCB for this counter? Thanks

By: Build a 9-digit Pulse Counter using MC14453 | Electronics articles

Build a 9-digit Pulse Counter using MC14453 | Electronics articles — Sun, 02 May 2010 11:45:55 +0000

[...] Build a 9-digit Pulse Counter – [Link] [...]