Serial LCD Kit #117 w 16X2 LCD - White Backlight

This listing includes the Serial LCD #117 Kit plus a 16X2 LCD with white (grey) backlight as shown in the photo. This is in kit form suitable for assembly on a solderless breadboard There is no printed circuit board.

The display is Microtip Technologies MTC-S16204AFGHSGW. I cannot find the precise data sheet, but this one appears close.

In the data sheet note particularly, the terminals are defined left to right as 14, 13, ..., 2, 1, 15, 16. This is important as although this does permit its use in the breadboard arragement which I have shown. However, it probably precludes the display's use with an assembled daughterboard where the terminals follow the normal 1, 2, 3, .. 15, 16 sequence.

The display unit is provided with a male header (photo).

The display has jumpers (zero Ohm resistors) which permit the backlight voltage to be shared with the display's power on terminals 1 and 2 or via dedicated terminals 15 and 16. I have removed these such that the backlight voltage is provided on terminals 15 and 16 as this permits the user to vary the backlight intensity. Note that I include a wiring diagram.

All and all, I consider these displays to be of quite good quality.

The LCD #117 Kit operates at 9600 baud. This unit might be interfaced with a Basic Stamp, BasicX BX24, Arduino, Microchip PIC or any processor capable of sending serial at TTL levels (Near +5 VDC when idle).

My intent in offering this is to provide hobbyists with a functional serial LCD at a very minimal cost.

The LCD #117 Kit provides an interface between a Microchip PIC, Parallax Stamp, BX24, Arduino or similar and an LCD having an HD44780 interface. I believe it is the most powerful serial to LCD unit available on the market and the least expensive. I have sold several thousand over the past four years.

Note that some of the LCD #117 features are not applicable when using this Microtip display. These include the 3 and 4 block wide "big" number capability and the customized splash display screen which are for 20X4 displays only.

Features of the LCD #117 PIC Processor..

• 9600 Baud TTL Interface - Non Inverted.
• 64 Byte Receive Buffer
• Programmable LCD Geometry (2X16, 2X20, 2X24, 2X40, 4X16, 4X20) - saved in EEPROM.
• Eight User Defined Characters (saved in EEPROM).
• Programmable Tab Size (saved in EEPROM).
• Programmable Cursor Style (saved in EEPROM).
• Output for "beep" function. (The interfacing audible device is not included with this kit).
• Rich Cursor Instruction Set including, clear LCD, clear current line, cursor to defined line, cursor to defined column, cursor up, down, back, foward, new line and "beep".
• Ouput and power transistor for varying the intensity of an LED backlight.
• Four addressable TTL level outputs (15 mA)

This listing includes;

• Programmed PIC Processor (18-pin DIP).
• 4.7K Resistor for Processor Reset Terminal
• 1K and 10.0K Resistor for biasing contrast on the interfacing LCD.
• 5 Volt LED for testing.
• Lengths of 22 awg solid wire (four colors) suitable for use with a solderless breadboard.
• 16 X 2 Microtip Technologies LCD with white (or gray) LED backlight.
• 12-pin header for the LCD.
• Documentation.

Note that a source of +5 VDC is required. The current drain is less than 10 mA. However, the backlight current may be up to 200 mA.

For additional details and sample routines, please see my web site.

May be combined with other items to save shipping.

Shipping.

• US - $2.25
• Canada - $3.00
• Western Europe - $5.50. I no longer ship to Italy.
• Australia, New Zealand, Singapore - $5.50.

When an item is mailed it is posted here.