I need to show 'time remaining' for an event, and would like to use a
> row of 10 LEDs to do so. All 10 would start out illuminated, and one
> LED after another will shut off as the time limit approaches. I'm
> using LEDs with a chrome bezel on them (can't resist the sci-fi look
> of those things), which will all be mounted in holes drilled in a
> piece of plexi. I'm looking for a 'clean' way to wire them all up to
> my microcontroller, which will be about 12" away. Like any LEDs, these
> just have two thin pieces of wire sticking out of the back. Do I have
> any options besides simply soldering stranded wire to them, and
> covering the splice with heat-shrink tubing? Is there some product or
> plug or component that will provide a less-cumbersome method of wiring
> these things up?
You might be able to find an LED display already wired for you in a "thermometer" code, with a pretty bezel. Pass it four bits and it'll display the temperature bar. Try looking in RadioTrash or some such place.