Connecting Multiple LED's/7Segment displays with MCU?

[DPX]

Hi all.

I was wanting to connect display speedometer and a rev gauge with a mcu (PIC16f877A) similar to what is displayed in a formula one racing wheel displayed.

ferrari_2008_f1_steering_wheel.jpg (21.45 KiB) Viewed 4090 times

So in total i would like to have around 8 7 segment displays (possibly 14 or 16 segment) to display lap times, speed etc.
1 7 segment to display gears.
15 Led's to display the rpm.

So far I was able to test 4 of the 7 segment displays multiplexed and it displays well however I am not to sure how the total load of everything connected will handle.

I was just looking on thoughts on techniques to display all these components effectively. Should I use a particular driver/chip to drive the segment displays or leds? What are some configuration to use to connect these all together? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Thank you.

[Shane]

Just posted something relevant for you Is it a coincidence?

You should use a LED driver to connect a 7-segment LED array to a microcontroller. Have a look at How to use MAX7221 to drive 7-segment LED set using a micro.

Good luck!