My first project! 2 digit counter need serious help

[Joseph West]

Hello everyone,

I am new here. But I have been working in the technology field for over 8 years now. I am certified as a data storage engineer looking to take on this simple but challenging side project. I wanted to start with this simple 2 digit counter that I found on this site.
http://www.engineersgarage.com/electronic-circuits/simple-2-digit-auto-manual-counter

 

The main problem is I have very little experience on circuitry, I am not familiar with reading the schematics and I dont know if I am buying the right components. For this particular project I am aiming for a few key things:

-2 Blue LED 7 Segment Displays(gotta make it shine!)

-Under or around 9V( I am very familiar with using the 9V battery connector snap clip wire leads for projects as a power source and would love the portability)

-Small design(Im looking for a small "pocket sized" counter)

-The ability to count DOWN as well but not necessary. Either by switching to a dial or adding another push button.

-Under $15-18 total cost

 

I know some of the parts I need include:

2x LED 7 Segment Displays Common Cathode 10pin

2x CD4026 16pin

1x LDR 2pin

1x LED 2pin

1x 555 Timer IC 8pin

1x Push Button 4pin

1x Switch(dont know what kind)

1x PCB Universal Circuit Board?????( Like I said havent done a project with circuitry)

I also saw the project requires 2 different diodes and a capacitor as well as some wires to connect everything?

I havent done a project like this in over 10 years so anything other than using a soldering iron, is going to be like new to me again. I would appreciate some friendly tutorials or better advice on how to keep this in the 9V total output range. I only need 2 digits so nothing fancy with anything past the 0-99 counter. Not really sure where to start and I would really appreciate some links to the parts I need to make sure I dont buy the wrong ones. Please help this newbie out, I am very eager in tackling this project.
 

 

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