Midas I2C LCDs

Question

Has anyone tried connecting up one of these I2C LCDs to their Arduino?

MIDAS - MCCOG21605B6W-BNMLWIMCCOG21605B6W-BNMLWI - LCD, COG 2X16, NEG STN, W B/L, I2C - Order Code: 20632092063209

I've got as far as looking at the Wire library http://arduino.cc/it/Reference/Wire and the LCD hardware page http://arduino.cc/playground/Code/LCD and reading http://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/acatalog/I2C_Tutorial.html

I've also watched Jeremy's videos but they are not totally relavent as they are looking at different things

http://www.element14.com/community/videos/3015/l/tutorial-13-for-arduino-liquid-crystal-displays

http://www.element14.com/community/videos/1828/l/Tutorial-07-for-Arduino:-I2C-and-Processing

I think I'm happy with the wiring it up, pull up resistors etc. I'm also guessing it will require an external psu to be hooked up.

I've not yet ordered the display so it might be straight forward when I get it but just getting as much help as I can before getting going.

Workshopshed · Accepted Answer

I got this working just fine. There were a couple of things I needed to do, firstly, for this particular model, Midas told me the backlight needs to be on for the text to be visible. I also had some fun with the I2C address which needed shifting a bit to the left. http://www.workshopshed.com/2012/07/a-little-venture-with-electronics-lcd.html

bobcroft · Answer

Hi Andy, the link I posted is wrong it should be www.hobbytronics.co.uk . I also like some of the stuff AdaFruit and Sparkfun do but the prices in the Uk or shipping charges from the States make the items very expensive. Since Bill mentioned the Arduino Cookbook by Margolis I'll just add that of all the books available for the Arduino this has to be one of the best with good clear explanations of how things work. Bob

Workshopshed · Answer

Bill, I'm only using one display so don't need a multiplexer or switch but it's good to know those exist. Bob, cheers for the link, it's not working just this second but I'll check it out again. It's good to look at the different libraries as they have comments and different techniques for the same areas of control.

Workshopshed · Answer

There do seem to be a number of examples of LCDs interfaced with I2C, there are also some "backpacks" that can be used as a add on for existing LCDs. http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/LCD-Blue-I2C http://www.ladyada.net/products/i2cspilcdbackpack/ I also found the LCDAPI and a reference to the ST7036 (the Midas display uses the ST7032) so hopefully I can use that with possibly a few tweeks. http://arduino.cc/playground/Code/LCDAPI

billabott · Answer

Hi Drew and Andy, Have you looked at TI's I2C offerings ? Never going to need a Mega with these chips. -Bill

bobcroft · Answer

Hi Andy, I do not have experience of the particular set up you mention. However, I have recently added an I2C driven LCD to a project using a 'backpack'. This works absolutely brilliantly with only two connecctions to the 'duino + power of course, no pull up resistors are used and i used a 20 * 4 LCD. Backpack comes from www.hobbyelectronics.co.uk and costs £8.00 + £2.00 P+P. I have no connection to this company and thier service is excellent. The backpack PCB comes assembled and with the necessary headers to connect it to a LCD with in line connections. There is also an Arduino library and example software on the web site. If you use Arduino 1.0 you will have to change a few bits of code in the library. I am extremely pleased with this product and it works well leaving my ;duino I/O for other things. Hope this helps Bob

mcb1 · Answer

I have been using the I2C range of LCD's for a while. They are basically a normal LCD with a board on the rear, that incldes 3 address jumpers. There are two chip options and each default to different I2C addresses, so you need to check. Just a note to anyone considering these. The White on Blue is slower at changing characters, probably because its actually reverse. ie it allows the backlight through, rather than blocking it. If you have a need to have scrolling, then consider the green/black or the other options or put up with slowing it down to stop the 'ghosting'. I haven't looked lately at E14 but they are in the order of US$10-12 from a number of suppliers. mark

mcb1 · Answer

Andy Have a look at the sketch here and how to do partial scrolling of some characters. I have used it for error messages, where the errors text is formulated based on each error, and then scrolled. Obviously this is a just a demo of one way to do it. http://www.theshedmag.co.nz/online/images/stories/downloads/arduino/Relay_with_I2C_LCD.zip The whole article is available at http://www.theshedmag.co.nz/online/images/stories/downloads/arduino/arduino-101-part4.pdf Mark

mcb1 · Answer

Andy Thanks Which one.? I subscribed and then offered something that didn't require a full knowledge of electronics. It went from there, to being introduced to Arduino by Jude Woodside, and then to articles in nearly every issue since. We currently doing RaspberryPi 101 ...so its a step learning curve. Its actually been great fun as well as learning some additional skills, and being compensated for my hobby. He does do an electronic subscription ... mark

Midas I2C LCDs

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