I bought one of these approximately 12 years ago. It was a nice display that worked well.

I've recently hooked it up to my Ardu Duemi and it boots up properly when Gnd and 5v (from the arduino) are plugged in. However, it is not displaying correctly or at all. All of the characters are illegible when I load a new sketch into the Ardu.. I'm using "SoftwareSerial" as one of my libraries.

Any help would be welcome.

Thank you, Tim

What logic voltage is this?

Is it possible to order one of these without the actual lcd?

Any chance of getting just the PCB avail for sale?

Can you order this kit without the display so that you can use a different color or a display with 4 lines instead of 2?

Do you offer this board on its own, or the kit without the LCD? It looks like a great kit, especially with the microprocessor 'integrated', but some prefer red LCDs.......

Is there a possibility in getting the board only or just without the LCD? Have couple of those waiting for to be used, no need for any more, yet :) Or is this the wrong place to ask this kind of question?

Can we possibly get this board by itself or at least with a 20x4 LCD? I know I can purchase the LCD-00258 but that is not the same board. It has a PIC instead of the ATmega328.

I don't know if anyone else had the same problem but it took me hours to fix so I'm posting the solution here so that it may save you time in the future.

1) When you program your microcontroller and the serial enabled display (SED) is attached it is possible that garbage commands are sent to the SED. In this case the baud may be changed, brightness etc. Do not program your MCU while the SED is attached. In the case of the Ardunio it is possible to overcome this problem by using software serial instead of the hardware serial. (see: http://playground.arduino.cc/Learning/SparkFunSerLCD).

2) It appears that more often than not the setting that is changed is the baud rate. However this is not the only setting that can be changed. In my case I discovered that the LCD display type had been changed and caused the characters that were sent to the SED to be displayed from bottom up. IE trying to display the word "Hello" resulted in the "o" being displayed in the first line and first character position while "l" was displayed in the second line first character position. It is possible that the same issue could cause the text to be sent to an out of bounds position and result in nothing being displayed.

I have attempted to solve the issue by using software serial on the Arduino MCUs and ALWAYS setting up my SED in software at start up even if I have previously configured the display.

I hope that this helps some of you.

Just a tip - if you want to reprogram this, but you don't have an FTDI breakout or the like, you can use another Arduino board. Just remove the Atmega chip, and connect the 5v, Gnd, Reset, Tx, and Rx lines appropriately.

I'm trying to use 4-40 metal hex stand-offs to separate the bottom control PCB from the LCD board.
However I can't screw in any 4-40 thread into the LCD holes. If I try the metal ground points are twisted and nearly stripped off.
What size screws are intended for the LCD board?

Possibly a naive question, but are we missing resistors to limit the current in the backlight LED and the NPN transistor?

Does this LCD work with the BeagleBone Black, or would the Sparkfun Basic 16x2 LCD be more appropriate if you are attaching it to a BeagleBone?

Is that unpopulated header just above the Sparkfun logo for ICSP? Could I use the AVR Pocket Programmer to program this (after taking the "Red Pill," of course...)? Many thanks!

PLEASE I NEED HELP PROGRAMMING THIS LCD TO DISPLAY VOLUME FROM A MINI AMP I BIULT HELP!!

Loading code to the chip is not a problem here but Im not able to load a code AND make the LCD work with it! Has anyone worked that out?

So is there a way to reset this? I just get garbage on the screen. I have searched the entire internet and all the sketches I am told will reset it don't work.

I have a love hate with this thing. The input serial port is connected directly to the same RX line used to program over FTDI. It is SO easy to accidentally change the baudrate and render the screen seemingly useless from another microcontroller.

If you can't seem to communicate with it, you have a few options. First, download the SerialLCDSourceCode sketch, we are going to modify it Option #1 Paste this as the very first thing in void setup EEPROM.write(BAUD_ADDRESS, 4 ); // This resets the memory to 9600

Option #2 Delete void setBaudRate function completely!

1) Delete the function void setBaudRate (at the very bottom) from bracket to bracket 2) Then look in void loop and find the line that says // baud rate control then delete that else if statement from bracket to bracket 3) Last, add Serial.begin(9600); as the first line in void setup

Sure, you will have to manually set the baud rate but now you can upload without fear of your baudrate changing accidentally!

Option #3 is more of a preventative thing.. import the SoftwareSerial library to the sketch and do away with using the hardware serial (but you will lose a pin unfortunately)

Hi! This is my problem, when I connect the lcd on arduino, the screen of the lcd turn on, but dont show no one message. I tried the example code hellow world but dont show the message on the lcd! The lcd light just only stays on... Please help me!

I have a problem with my kit. It was working perfectly until I connected a servo to the arduino I'm using with it.

The servo started gittering and all of a sudden the screen started displaying a bunch of funny looking characters. (Chinesse looking, sorry for my ignorence in the matter)

The the characters are updated from left to right, one line at a time at a rate of around 10/second witch is the rate Im updating the LCD I tried another arduino board and the same thing happens, but the characters this time are A,E and //, really puzzling to me.

I downloaded the files (Serial-LCD-Ki-master) from Github, conected the FTDI and updated but I still get the same...

Also tryed different baud rates... nothing

Any ideas? Thank you!

Was looking for an enclosure to fit these 2x16 LCD's and found an "MDT-65" ABS plastic box on eBay that fits perfectly. Seller has them available in both black and white and the mounting holes line up perfectly for this display with enough room to mount the entire assembly. Use M2.5 self-tapping screws to attach the LCD PCB to the enclosure.

I'm trying to hook one of these up to an XBee Series1 Pro(Coodinator) to print responses from remote XBees(Endpoints) but get what looks like very dim Japanese characters. Has anyone tried this, or seen any articles on such?

I'm using the new XCTU software to test sending the following API frame, which should tell the device to show the splash screen: 7E 00 0D 00 01 00 13 A2 00 40 53 5F F1 00 FE 1E 4A

Thanks for any info. Paul

I'm having trouble with contrast on mine. The only way for me to have anything displayed is for the trimpot to be turned all the way one direction, and it still isn't very bright/contrasty. It seems like the pot should be somewhere in the middleish and turning it too far should make the display just show boxes, but mine won't do that.

I'm so sad I couldn't get home in time to buy one of these while it was on the cyber monday flash sale. I wanted one at that price so bad. Oh well, it is still a pretty good deal without the extra 40% off, I will probably buy one somewhere down the road.

https://github.com/mr1337357/Serial-LCD-Kit I tweaked the firmware a bit and added support for the GDM1602K's custom glyph mode.

Can you recommend a different library than SoftwareSerial? It uses extra memory, wastes a pin and fights with other instances of itself. Since this is a receive only device, a much simpler version should be possible.

Dear everyone, I have a serial LCD-10097 interfaces with Arduino Mega 2560. When I run a sample code to test the LCD, it does not seem to line up as the position 1, line 1, or the position 1, line 2. Here is the sample code I got from Sparkfun;

// SparkFun Serial LCD example 2 // Format and display fake RPM and temperature data

// This sketch is for Arduino versions 1.0 and later // If you're using an Arduino version older than 1.0, use // the other example code available on the tutorial page.

// Use the softwareserial library to create a new "soft" serial port // for the display. This prevents display corruption when uploading code.

include

// Attach the serial display's RX line to digital pin 2 SoftwareSerial mySerial(3,2); // pin 2 = TX, pin 3 = RX (unused)

void setup() { mySerial.begin(9600); // set up serial port for 9600 baud delay(500); // wait for display to boot up

mySerial.write(254); // cursor to beginning of first line mySerial.write(128);

mySerial.write("RPM: "); // clear display + legends mySerial.write("TEMP: "); }

int temp, rpm; char tempstring[10], rpmstring[10]; // create string arrays

void loop() { temp = random(1000); // make some fake data rpm = random(10000);

sprintf(tempstring,"%4d",rpm); // create strings from the numbers sprintf(rpmstring,"%4d",temp); // right-justify to 4 spaces

mySerial.write(254); // cursor to 7th position on first line mySerial.write(134);

mySerial.write(rpmstring); // write out the RPM value

mySerial.write(254); // cursor to 7th position on second line mySerial.write(198);

mySerial.write(tempstring); // write out the TEMP value

delay(1000); // short delay }

Please help me.

Thank you very much. Tony

Dear all, For this serial LCD to work correctly with my Arduino Mega, would my Arduino software version 1.0.5 work correctly between the Mega and this serial LCD? Please help! Thank you, Have a great day!

This is a great product. It was fun to build, easy to program, and works great.

My backlight seems to have burned out. How can I fix it???

you guys should sell these: http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages/Store.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Store.TechSupplies/Products/AXE133Y they are easier to program and come in various sizes

Can I use an RGB lcd with this kit and have it control the color ? I was thinking about using this one RGB LCD

This is perfect for a project ive been working on thanks sparkfun. cant wait for mine to show up!

Youv could get rid (optionally atleast) of the potentiometer and offer digital contrast by plugging OC1B PWM output to RC filter (220ohm + 4.7u? or something) and that to contrast pin. Works in my ATmega328 + LCD-based device but I have OC0B and OC0A doing BL LED PWM and contrast and Port B as 8-bit LCD interface and no xtal (which I see you want for serial)...

Success i have completed my homemade wirewrapped version of this. Functions perfectly.

Howdy TechoJunkies!! I am currently building one of these from scratch and it is eventful.. The problem i am having is sending commands to the backpack. I.E. clear, scroll, etc. it just echos them on the display?? I am using the serial terminal in the arduino ide.. Ideas.? I am using the code that is on the github page with no alterations.. built the display backpack per schematic. Curious??

Easy kit to solder together, I've got very little soldering experience, I was blown away by how much easier this was to solder with the correct solder than the beastly large stuff I've been trying to use on everything else. It still took me about 45 minutes to get all together, but I was being pretty meticulous and checking pretty much every joint.

My desoldering skills need work though, I forgot to mount the 10k resistor until after I soldered the headers to hold the LCD to the control board. It seems in trying to get them apart I've destroyed both boards :( Glad I picked up an IC socket so I can at least salvage the ATmega 328 by just pulling it out. Practice my obviously lacking desolder skills on the rest of the components and eventually order another of these to play with.

Has anyone directly powered this kit using a 5V wall adapter (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8269)? Is it as simple as connecting the ground and VCC leads from the JST connector, perhaps using a barrel jack adapter (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10288)?

Hi, any chance of getting a firmware update for I2C and SPI interface aswel? it would be great!

The only complaint I have is that both interrupts are taken by the LCD(D2 and D3 on the ATMega). Not a problem unless you are using the kit as a stand alone unit to read and display RPM.

has anyone got this to work with lcd smartie, or another program like it.?

Hi, can someone explain this to me

Quote: "In order to upload new code to the LCD Kit via bootloader you'll need an FTDI Basic Breakout..."

Is that to change the fonts on the LCD display or GUI ? Or is it needed to what type of data to display on the LCD?

I love this thing. You can use it for rapid prototyping and then switch to a native interface for the LCD later on... and you still have a use for the serial module as all the pins (or at least most of them) are broken out on the headers. Having a header for the FTDI breakout board is great as well for quick testing... you should like to it at the bottom. Overall a really great product!

The "Serial LCD Kit - retail" (same kit, different packaging), has a quite good tutorial by Jimbo. Strange there's no link to there from this page, Serial LCD Kit Landing Page http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/289

Hi. I'm having trouble with this device. I am sending serial.print text to the LCD, but it seems pretty erratic. I wonder if it was damaged when I soldered it to the board. There is not chip holder in the kit. Sometimes it does not power up:( I'll have to check it out for bad connections. Should the device should respond to serial.print similar to the way serial monitor works?

i like this kit allot but it has its challenges, i am trying to figure out how to get the back light back on, it seems to have gotten a command to turn it off. and not much seems to want to turn it back on. the other thing i would like to know is that, can i reflash it with a different firmware using a ftdi without taking the lcd off.

I have ported LiquidCrystal library for use with the serial LCD you can look at my code here. Still working on finishing all the documentation. But putting up for now hopefully someone will find it usefull.
http://arduino.cc/playground/Code/SerLCD
-Thanks

can i buy this then get a 20x4 lcd for it? or is their a kit like this with a 20x4 already?

its awesome! not for convert a lcd to serial, but because you have a arduino in a LCD. maybe sparkfu can sell this as "LCDuino Arduino on a lcd"

Are there any instructions or tips for putting this together, or can I just infer where stuff goes by looking at the images above and the labels on the circuit board? I'm not particularly great at reading schematics.
Thanks,
Adam

These things are just the bomb. Great price for what you get.
I confess I haven't been using them as intended - once I have a project all figured out with the arduino and the breadboard etc I order one of these and write my sketch to it. Any time I am using an arduino and the liquidcrystal library and I am ready to go from prototype to finished project, this is my go-to kit. Just wish it included a socket for the IC.
I've got it driving my diy networked home thermostat: http://bit.ly/eCzVIW
Cheers!

This this is pretty awesome, but would be even more awesome (awesomer?) if you could upload custom characters over serial. The LCD itself seems to support this, but the Serial LCD firmware does not.
It shouldn't be too hard to add (after all, the LiquidCrystal library it uses has a function just for this). I guess it's finally time for me to get an FTDI Basic.

My display unit LCD-10097, has accidentally become corrupted. In particular the back light has turned off and since I have not yet been able to communicate with the unit I am unable to debug my code. Is there a way to reset the unit to defaults as shipped?

I would be really cool for the next revision to include the capability to run off of 3.3v logic.
I have creatively soldered a logic level converter to the backpack using some of the broken out pins (leaving the standard three wire port alone) and now I can hook it up to my Fez Panda with 4 wires: 3.3v, 5v, Data (3.3v) and Ground.
A better solution might be to eliminate the 3.3v reference feed with a voltage divider, or just get logic that can handle 3.3v from the get-go.
So ideally I would be able to feed it (through the standard jst 3 pin connector) 5V, Ground, and Data at 3.3+ V.
That would be nice.

I've managed to alter the setup of the Serial Enabled LCD Kit and now I cannot read anything of the diaplay or anything else.
How do I reset it for use at 6900 baud and everything else? What should I send as command (0x7C - ?).
Can anyone help me with a set of code for reseting the backpack, e.g. comm 9600 baud etc. Please?

Had to really dig hard to find out how to use this and the sketch I did find had many errors where special commands were sent which required it to me mostly re-written. Learned a lot however. The documentation is really lacking. For instance, no mention of how to send and display special characters. I would also like to see this kit without the LCD for those of us that would like to use a different color or have and LCD already or have messed up the PCB. Lastly, there is no assembly instructions and the photos don't show many details that you need to see.

Probably a very noob question but can this easily be interfaced with a serial port on a computer? and is it HD44780 compatible?

Good morning all. I'm still looking for help sending commands to the serial backpack. I found the commands on the github page but not how to send then to the device. Art

Thanks for the reply. I've been there looking for sample code and all I could find was the code for the backpack itself. I dl'd and install the new code into the backpack but I don't understand how to sent the special commands to do things like clear the display or set the display for 4X20 I'm using NewSoftwareSerial to connect to the backpack and I can print "Hello World" but when I try to send a special commands it either prints garbage or nothing. Art

Does anyone have some sample Arduino code that make use of the LCD backpack? I can't figure out how do things like set the the cursor to a location or how to set the display to 4 X 20.
Thanks
Art

I like the fact that the SDA/SCL pins are broken out. (same as analog pin 4 and 5) So rewriting the code could open up I2C interface posibilities aswel. However that nokia 5110 display looks like a nice bargain at just under 10 dollar. Unfortunately it needs 5 pins to be fully functional. :( Tough choice.

An ATmega328 seems like massive overkill for a serial-LCD converter, but it's nice to have all that extra storage for customization, and it's probably easier than stocking mega8s just for this (and probably not a big price difference).

Is this arduino compatible - or is it more native code? What cable / software do you need to program it?

+1 for the source?
I'm keen to build one!

Is the source code for the ATMega328P available?.
Does this unit work at 3.3V or 5.0V?.
+1 for using an Atmel chip; +1 for breaking out extra pins.
Including a picture of the "white on black" characters in action would be handy. (This has been done for other LCD products).

Has anyone added a button or a joystick onto kit, to then scroll through what text was sent to it from their arduino?