This project is a follow-on from PSIM display effort.  Since this VFD easily interfaces with 9600 baud serial I decided to build a scrolling message board. I chose the ATTINY13 processor because of it's small size.  I ported the Atmel AVR304 application note implementing a software uart to the ATTINY13 processor and used an additional pin to blank the display.

I set the display to 50% brightness which limits the total power consumption to ~280 mA.  I used a LM2940 low dropout regulator to be able to power this from a 6 volt battery in my 1949 Chevy.  I assembled the display in a 1.5" clear plastic tube I purchased from Tap Plastics.  The ATTINY13 is the small DIP on the left at the end of the wires and the LM2940 regulator is on the right mounted to the 2 pin power connector.

Here is the display on the dashboard of my 1949 Chevy.  It slowly scrolls information on the car including the name, year, model number, mileage, original content, and owner. However, it completely washes out in sunlight.

Vacuum fluorescent display software source code

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