This is a basic 16 character by 2 line display with a Blue background and a Yellow backlight. Utilizes the extremely common HD44780 parallel interface chipset (datasheet). Interface code is freely available. You will need ~11 general I/O pins to interface to this LCD screen. Includes yellow LED backlight. These modules are the thin type.
This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.
Skill Level: Noob - Some basic soldering is required, but it is limited to a just a few pins, basic through-hole soldering, and couple (if any) polarized components. A basic soldering iron is all you should need.
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If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Oh, it looks like this LCD has a back light, don't i feel stupid.
I bought this LCD, but it is almost impossible to read. It is not nearly as bright as the one in the picture on spark fun. I tried adjusting the contrast to no avail. Am i doing something wrong?
This LCD is a lot brighter if you swap the 100ohm (R7) resistor on the back with something like a 10ohm.
I had the same brightness issue others seem to be having so I checked the datasheet. The backlight LED has a pretty high forward voltage and current that the included 100ohm doesn't really drive from 5V. With 10ohms, the current draw is more like the datasheet spec - 90mA at 5V.
for PIC directly, but you can implement driver for any microcontroller easily using mine as a base...
its just digital output high/lows so lol
http://joekwuen.blogspot.com/2011/02/project-hd44780-textual-lcd-driver-for.html
Lucky for me my LCD happened to have other unexplainable problems by Sparkfun's tech support. They offered me a new LCD so I will be getting the white on black version. Sparkfun's techsupport and customer service are the best I have ever experienced!
Sparkfun tech support was super helpful, no complaints there, however if you can get the LCD this bright then it is your lucky day because my product is barely readable :( Might try the white on black LCD?
I have found that the Black on Green LCD is easier to read:
https://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9568
Sometimes it takes a minute or two to get the back lighting just right on these screens.