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[on:]

I cannot get my Display working. I have connected it as follows:

the only difference is that i used a 2.5kOhm instead of the 10K Poti.

This is my actual setup:
http://bayimg.com/daepPaaed

I have the feeling that the LCD is broken because i cannot get anything when running the LCD-Example from the Arduino Database. But since i havent worked with LCDs before maybe I have made a mistake and somebody can tell me.

Thanks in advance!

[Reply #1 on:]

No you did NOT have a 2.5kohm or a potentiometer. What you have is a resistor or unknown value (your photo color is pretty screwy so no way to tell resistance from color). You also didn't solder the pins to the LCD.

[Reply #2 on:]

Thanks for the answer! Two questions though:

1.) Do I have to solder the pins the the LCD? Doesnt it get contact otherwise?
2.) I tried a 2.5kOhm resistor and a 10kOhm resistor so far. A Resistor does the same thing as a potentiometer, only it has a fixed value, right?

[Reply #3 on:]

Thanks for the answer! Two questions though:

1.) Do I have to solder the pins the the LCD? Doesnt it get contact otherwise?
2.) I tried a 2.5kOhm resistor and a 10kOhm resistor so far. A Resistor does the same thing as a potentiometer, only it has a fixed value, right?

Yes, you solder the pins on. No alternatives.
A potentiometer is a variable resistor. You can't vary those cylindrical resistors that you are currently using. If you are in a hurry, go to a local radio shack store and get a potentiometer anywhere between 2k and 20k. Otherwise, get a pack from ebay.

Also, put your location information in your profile. Some people can give you location-specific information. Like I can tell you where to get parts locally cheap if you are in my area.

[Reply #4 on:]

A Resistor does the same thing as a potentiometer, only it has a fixed value, right?

Wrong.  Your statement would be correct if you replaced 'potentiometer' with 'rheostat'.

A potentiometer is a variable resistor.

That's not exactly right either.  Your statement would also be correct if you replaced 'potentiometer' with 'rheostat'.

At the risk of over simplification:
A resistor has two terminals and has a fixed resistance between those two terminals.
A rheostat has two terminals and you can adjust the resistance between those two terminals.  So, a rheostat is a variable resistor.
A potentiometer has three terminals.  It has a fixed resistance between the end terminals and a variable resistance between the center terminal and either end terminal.  A potentiometer is essentially a variable voltage divider.

So, for LCD contrast control, there really is no way to replace the recommended three terminal potentiometer with a single two terminal resistor.  There are those who claim to have conjured up 'solutions' using a single resistor or a single diode that have supposedly worked in certain cases, but I suspect a wad of bubble gum would have also worked in those cases.

You could try connecting pin 3 to GND.  That gives a usable, but not optimum, display in some cases.

If that doesn't work you might be successful using two resistors.  Try something around 10K between +5 and pin 3 and around 1K between pin 3 and GND.

Don

[Reply #5 on:]

Thank you so much! It is working now. I connected Pin3 to GND like advised and soldered the display.

Here is the result: http://bayimg.com/gAeJNaAee

[Reply #6 on:]

there really is no way to replace the recommended three terminal potentiometer with a single two terminal resistor.

A pot is the simplest way to go. But it is extreme to say that there is other alternative. For example, you can pwm through a rc network to create a voltage there, and be able to adjust contrast in software.

[Reply #7 on:]

Here is the result:

That's not too bad in terms of my "usable, but not optimum" remark.  You could get rid of the light blocks in the unused positions if you added a potentiometer but it probably isn't worth the effort.

Don

[Reply #8 on:]

there really is no way to replace the recommended three terminal potentiometer with a single two terminal resistor.

A pot is the simplest way to go. But it is extreme to say that there is other alternative. For example, you can pwm through a rc network to create a voltage there, and be able to adjust contrast in software.

In your haste to correct me it appears that you left out a word that reverses the meaning.  Either way - read the quoted part again, I didn't say that there is or is not another alternative.

Don

[Reply #9 on:]

In your haste to accuse me of in a haste to correct you, let me make it clear to all: correcting anyone, you included, is the least of my haste.

[Reply #10 on:]

there really is no way to replace the recommended three terminal potentiometer with a single two terminal resistor.

A pot is the simplest way to go. But it is extreme to say that there is other alternative. For example, you can pwm through a rc network to create a voltage there, and be able to adjust contrast in software.

You are offering help to a beginner or trying to show you know more than others? I'm confused here. As a teacher, I don't always tell my students the "complete" story on day one. There are reasons not to tell "complete" stories. I will wait at least another 30 days for the OP to get the RC stuff, which I'm sure floresta knows how to do. Right now, potentiometer is perfect. I am a teacher and liquid crystal physicist, do you see me blabbing about knowing all more about LCD stuff than others? Most HD44780 display spec sheets I read didn't say they recommend RC and PWM anyway, they say 2k to 20k pot.