This scoreboard was developed to keep track of snooker scores.

It will actually count from 0 to 999. There are 3 controls to the circuit. Up and down which will auto repeat if held down to set higher or lower numbers quickly - such as setting up a darts game at 501. Also there is a reset which will reset the display to zero - in fact it resets the entire PIC program but has the same effect. The PIC used is a PIC16F818/9.

DOWNLOAD PCB and circuit details

If you have any questions please contact us.

A programmed PIC is available
from our shop.

A kit for this project is currently avaiable - please see our shop for details.

Above is the circuit diagram which is a pretty standard configuration for a small PIC. There are 8 segment drives, a-g and dp, and 3 digit drives. These use transistors to switch on each digit, so displays must be common cathode types. You can also use a PIC 16F627 instead as this also has internal clock facility.

Below can be seen the interior of the version made. There are two identical PCB's with a common reset connection. The circuit should run on 4.5 to 6 volts (3 or 4 AA batteries). The version shown used a PP3 battery but a rechargeable which is actually 8.4 volts not 9. This voltage was dropped to 7.7 volts because of the in-line diode for polarity protection.

The maximum rating for the PIC chip is 6v but they seem to survive on 8.4v BUT IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED - YOU ARE ADVISED TO
USE NO MORE THAN 6V for the supply. Try adding a voltage regulator circuit if your supply is grater than 7 volts.

Please note the version shown has had the buttons modified and are not the same as the ones in the kit. The kit version has PCB click switches for mounting directly to the PCB. Wires can be brought from the board though to add different switches if desired.

The mould was made from layers of 12mm MDF and some 3mm strips of MDF stuck on the sides. The pockets were drilled and 1.5mm holes drilled right through the pockets to allow the air to escape during vacuum forming. A vertical sander was used to round the corners off ready for moulding.

The polystyrene used was 1.5mm green. Enamel paints were used to complete the colour scheme on the mould with computer generated graphics stuck on the front. The LED displays were covered with semi-transparent red 3mm acrylic to act as a lens.