I am an arduino beginners ... first starter kit received end of last week.
I'v try to use an 16x2 LCD display.
I did connect a variable resistor to adjust the contrats but when I get a correct contrasted screen, I see some smoke from the resistor ...
It looks like a shortcircuit ? When the resistor is near to 0k ??? I don't understand.
I did try with a 5k var resistor and a 2,2k resistor in serial between 5V and 1 of the 3 pins of the var resistor ... It does not work :~ :~ :~
Except for his use of the term 'resistor' the description for the connections given by marco_c is usually correct since most datasheets call for the use of a potentiometer (a three terminal device) and not a variable resistor (a two terminal device) to control the contrast voltage.
If you were indeed using a potentiometer then you probably had the wiper connected to one of the power supply terminals and, as you adjusted the potentiometer you ultimately got a very low resistance across the power supply terminals, hence the smoke.