Large text-based low-power display ideas

[kim108]

Hello,

I'd like to display text, around 10 lines of 20 letters each, such that it can be viewed from a couple of metres away. The text will change about 3 times per day. The easiest, of course, would be to use a TV, but as I plan to run this for 12h per day for years, this will use too much power.

The displays that best fit this specification are reflective and e-ink displays. Here is a 32" E-ink display: https://jeatech.com.au/product/e-paper-32-display. These are very expensive, though. I would be satisfied with 200 16-segment displays, one for each letter but E-ink ones don't seem to tile and LED ones again use too much power.

There are more creative solutions, like electromagnetic displays (https://flipdots.com/en/products-services/large-7-segment-displays/) or these really cool split-flap displays (https://www.oatfoundry.com/split-flap/).

All of these large signs seem to be geared towards businesses rather than consumers and all carry hefty price tags. Is there any creative solution that's a bit cheaper but still uses little power? I am curious to hear even some far-fetched ideas.

Thanks!

 

[kellys_eye]

can be viewed from a couple of metres away.

Bog-standard 0.56" LED's (even alphanumeric) can be seen 'from a few metres' - and multi-segment LEDs can be had up to 6" in size.

If power is your ultimate worry then you're only really viable course is the electro-magnetic flapper type display. On a one-off basis you should look for second-hand units - try the local bus depot for 'faulty' ones and fix them.