LCD 4004 ( 40x4 ) I2C working

Connect the interface to arduino UNO

- Vcc -> 5V
- Gnd -> Gnd
- SDA -> A4
- SCL -> A5

Connect the interface to the LCD ( use R/W (pin 5 of interface) to drive Enable 2 of the lcd )

|  Pin  | Interface |   LCD    |
| Gnd   |      1    ->   1     |
| Vcc   |      2    ->   2     |
| Vo    |      3    ->   3     |
| RS    |      4    ->   4     |
|       |           | 5 -> Gnd |
| En2   |      5    ->   16    |
| En1   |      6    ->   15    |
| D4    |      11   ->   11    |
| D5    |      12   ->   12    |
| D6    |      13   ->   13    |
| D7    |      14   ->   14    |
| LEDA  |      15   ->   17    |
| LEDK  |      16   ->   18    |

Use the I2c scanner to found the I2c address => 0x3f

I2c-Interface.jpg

LiquidCrystal_I2C.h

#ifndef FDB_LIQUID_CRYSTAL_I2C_H
#define FDB_LIQUID_CRYSTAL_I2C_H

#include <inttypes.h>
#include <Print.h>

// commands
#define LCD_CLEARDISPLAY 0x01
#define LCD_RETURNHOME 0x02
#define LCD_ENTRYMODESET 0x04
#define LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL 0x08
#define LCD_CURSORSHIFT 0x10
#define LCD_FUNCTIONSET 0x20
#define LCD_SETCGRAMADDR 0x40
#define LCD_SETDDRAMADDR 0x80

// flags for display entry mode
#define LCD_ENTRYRIGHT 0x00
#define LCD_ENTRYLEFT 0x02
#define LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT 0x01
#define LCD_ENTRYSHIFTDECREMENT 0x00

// flags for display on/off control
#define LCD_DISPLAYON 0x04
#define LCD_DISPLAYOFF 0x00
#define LCD_CURSORON 0x02
#define LCD_CURSOROFF 0x00
#define LCD_BLINKON 0x01
#define LCD_BLINKOFF 0x00

// flags for display/cursor shift
#define LCD_DISPLAYMOVE 0x08
#define LCD_CURSORMOVE 0x00
#define LCD_MOVERIGHT 0x04
#define LCD_MOVELEFT 0x00

// flags for function set
#define LCD_8BITMODE 0x10
#define LCD_4BITMODE 0x00
#define LCD_2LINE 0x08
#define LCD_1LINE 0x00
#define LCD_5x10DOTS 0x04
#define LCD_5x8DOTS 0x00

// flags for backlight control
#define LCD_BACKLIGHT 0x08
#define LCD_NOBACKLIGHT 0x00

#define En B00000100  // Enable bit

// Add 4004 LCD
// Connect Pin 5 of LCD (R/W) to GND
// Connect Pin 5 of I2C interface to Enable 2 of LCD
//#define Rw B00000010  // Read/Write bit
#define En2 B00000010  // Enable 2 bit

#define Rs B00000001  // Register select bit


/**
* This is the driver for the Liquid Crystal LCD displays that use the I2C bus.
*
* After creating an instance of this class, first call begin() before anything else.
* The backlight is on by default, since that is the most likely operating mode in
* most cases.
*/
class LiquidCrystal_I2C : public Print {
public:
/**
* Constructor
*
* @param lcd_addr I2C slave address of the LCD display. Most likely printed on the
* LCD circuit board, or look in the supplied LCD documentation.
* @param lcd_cols Number of columns your LCD display has.
* @param lcd_rows Number of rows your LCD display has.
* @param charsize The size in dots that the display has, use LCD_5x10DOTS or LCD_5x8DOTS.
*/
LiquidCrystal_I2C(uint8_t lcd_addr, uint8_t lcd_cols, uint8_t lcd_rows, uint8_t charsize = LCD_5x8DOTS);

/**
* Set the LCD display in the correct begin state, must be called before anything else is done.
*/
void begin();

/**
 * Remove all the characters currently shown. Next print/write operation will start
 * from the first position on LCD display.
 */
void clear();

/**
* Next print/write operation will will start from the first position on the LCD display.
*/
void home();

/**
 * Do not show any characters on the LCD display. Backlight state will remain unchanged.
 * Also all characters written on the display will return, when the display in enabled again.
 */
void noDisplay();

/**
* Show the characters on the LCD display, this is the normal behaviour. This method should
* only be used after noDisplay() has been used.
*/
void display();

/**
* Do not blink the cursor indicator.
*/
void noBlink();

/**
* Start blinking the cursor indicator.
*/
void blink();

/**
* Do not show a cursor indicator.
*/
void noCursor();

/**
* Show a cursor indicator, cursor can blink on not blink. Use the
* methods blink() and noBlink() for changing cursor blink.
*/
void cursor();

void scrollDisplayLeft();
void scrollDisplayRight();
void printLeft();
void printRight();
void leftToRight();
void rightToLeft();
void shiftIncrement();
void shiftDecrement();
void noBacklight();
void backlight();
bool getBacklight();
void autoscroll();
void noAutoscroll();
void createChar(uint8_t, uint8_t[]);
void setCursor(uint8_t, uint8_t);
virtual size_t write(uint8_t);
void command(uint8_t);

inline void blink_on() { blink(); }
inline void blink_off() { noBlink(); }
inline void cursor_on() { cursor(); }
inline void cursor_off() { noCursor(); }

// Compatibility API function aliases
void setBacklight(uint8_t new_val); // alias for backlight() and nobacklight()
void load_custom_character(uint8_t char_num, uint8_t *rows); // alias for createChar()
void printstr(const char[]);

private:
void send(uint8_t, uint8_t);
void write4bits(uint8_t);
void expanderWrite(uint8_t);
void pulseEnable(uint8_t);
uint8_t _addr;
uint8_t _displayfunction;
uint8_t _displaycontrol;
uint8_t _displaymode;
uint8_t _cols;
uint8_t _rows;
uint8_t _charsize;
uint8_t _backlightval;

// Add for 4004 LCD
bool _useTwoChips;
bool _useEnable2;
};

#endif // FDB_LIQUID_CRYSTAL_I2C_H

LiquidCrystal_I2C.cpp

#include "LiquidCrystal_I2C.h"
#include <inttypes.h>
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <Wire.h>


LiquidCrystal_I2C::LiquidCrystal_I2C(uint8_t lcd_addr, uint8_t lcd_cols, uint8_t lcd_rows, uint8_t charsize)
{
_addr = lcd_addr;
_cols = lcd_cols;
_rows = lcd_rows;
_charsize = charsize;
_backlightval = LCD_BACKLIGHT;

// Add for 4004 LCD
if (lcd_cols == 40 && lcd_rows == 4)
_useTwoChips = true;
else
_useTwoChips = false;
_useEnable2 = false;
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::begin() {
Wire.begin();
_displayfunction = LCD_4BITMODE | LCD_1LINE | LCD_5x8DOTS;

if (_rows > 1) {
_displayfunction |= LCD_2LINE;
}

// for some 1 line displays you can select a 10 pixel high font
if ((_charsize != 0) && (_rows == 1)) {
_displayfunction |= LCD_5x10DOTS;
}

// SEE PAGE 45/46 FOR INITIALIZATION SPECIFICATION!
// according to datasheet, we need at least 40ms after power rises above 2.7V
// before sending commands. Arduino can turn on way befer 4.5V so we'll wait 50
delay(50);

// Now we pull both RS and R/W low to begin commands
expanderWrite(_backlightval); // reset expanderand turn backlight off (Bit 8 =1)
delay(1000);

//put the LCD into 4 bit mode
// this is according to the hitachi HD44780 datasheet
// figure 24, pg 46

// we start in 8bit mode, try to set 4 bit mode
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms

// second try
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms

// third go!
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(150);

// finally, set to 4-bit interface
write4bits(0x02 << 4);

// set # lines, font size, etc.
command(LCD_FUNCTIONSET | _displayfunction);

// turn the display on with no cursor or blinking default
_displaycontrol = LCD_DISPLAYON | LCD_CURSOROFF | LCD_BLINKOFF;
display();

// clear it off
clear();

// Initialize to default text direction (for roman languages)
_displaymode = LCD_ENTRYLEFT | LCD_ENTRYSHIFTDECREMENT;

// set the entry mode
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);

home();

if (_useTwoChips) {
_useEnable2 = true;
// SEE PAGE 45/46 FOR INITIALIZATION SPECIFICATION!
// according to datasheet, we need at least 40ms after power rises above 2.7V
// before sending commands. Arduino can turn on way befer 4.5V so we'll wait 50
delay(50);

// Now we pull both RS and R/W low to begin commands
expanderWrite(_backlightval); // reset expanderand turn backlight off (Bit 8 =1)
delay(1000);

//put the LCD into 4 bit mode
// this is according to the hitachi HD44780 datasheet
// figure 24, pg 46

// we start in 8bit mode, try to set 4 bit mode
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms

// second try
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms

// third go!
write4bits(0x03 << 4);
delayMicroseconds(150);

// finally, set to 4-bit interface
write4bits(0x02 << 4);

// set # lines, font size, etc.
command(LCD_FUNCTIONSET | _displayfunction);

// turn the display on with no cursor or blinking default
_displaycontrol = LCD_DISPLAYON | LCD_CURSOROFF | LCD_BLINKOFF;
display();

// clear it off
clear();

// Initialize to default text direction (for roman languages)
_displaymode = LCD_ENTRYLEFT | LCD_ENTRYSHIFTDECREMENT;

// set the entry mode
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);

home();

_useEnable2 = false;
}
}

/********** high level commands, for the user! */
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::clear(){
command(LCD_CLEARDISPLAY);// clear display, set cursor position to zero
delayMicroseconds(2000);  // this command takes a long time!
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::home(){
command(LCD_RETURNHOME);  // set cursor position to zero
delayMicroseconds(2000);  // this command takes a long time!
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setCursor(uint8_t col, uint8_t row){
int row_offsets[] = { 0x00, 0x40, 0x14, 0x54 };
int row_offsets4004[] = { 0x00, 0x40, 0x00, 0x40 };
if (row > _rows) {
row = _rows-1;    // we count rows starting w/0
}
if (_useTwoChips) {
if ( row > 1)
_useEnable2 = true;
else
_useEnable2 = false;
command(LCD_SETDDRAMADDR | (col + row_offsets4004[row]));
} else {
command(LCD_SETDDRAMADDR | (col + row_offsets[row]));
}
}

// Turn the display on/off (quickly)
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noDisplay() {
_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_DISPLAYON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::display() {
_displaycontrol |= LCD_DISPLAYON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// Turns the underline cursor on/off
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noCursor() {
_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_CURSORON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::cursor() {
_displaycontrol |= LCD_CURSORON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// Turn on and off the blinking cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noBlink() {
_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_BLINKON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::blink() {
_displaycontrol |= LCD_BLINKON;
command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// These commands scroll the display without changing the RAM
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::scrollDisplayLeft(void) {
command(LCD_CURSORSHIFT | LCD_DISPLAYMOVE | LCD_MOVELEFT);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::scrollDisplayRight(void) {
command(LCD_CURSORSHIFT | LCD_DISPLAYMOVE | LCD_MOVERIGHT);
}

// This is for text that flows Left to Right
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::leftToRight(void) {
_displaymode |= LCD_ENTRYLEFT;
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This is for text that flows Right to Left
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::rightToLeft(void) {
_displaymode &= ~LCD_ENTRYLEFT;
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This will 'right justify' text from the cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::autoscroll(void) {
_displaymode |= LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT;
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This will 'left justify' text from the cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noAutoscroll(void) {
_displaymode &= ~LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT;
command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// Allows us to fill the first 8 CGRAM locations
// with custom characters
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::createChar(uint8_t location, uint8_t charmap[]) {
location &= 0x7; // we only have 8 locations 0-7
command(LCD_SETCGRAMADDR | (location << 3));
for (int i=0; i<8; i++) {
write(charmap[i]);
}
}

// Turn the (optional) backlight off/on
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noBacklight(void) {
_backlightval=LCD_NOBACKLIGHT;
expanderWrite(0);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::backlight(void) {
_backlightval=LCD_BACKLIGHT;
expanderWrite(0);
}
bool LiquidCrystal_I2C::getBacklight() {
 return _backlightval == LCD_BACKLIGHT;
}


/*********** mid level commands, for sending data/cmds */

inline void LiquidCrystal_I2C::command(uint8_t value) {
send(value, 0);
}

inline size_t LiquidCrystal_I2C::write(uint8_t value) {
send(value, Rs);
return 1;
}


/************ low level data pushing commands **********/

// write either command or data
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::send(uint8_t value, uint8_t mode) {
uint8_t highnib=value&0xf0;
uint8_t lownib=(value<<4)&0xf0;
write4bits((highnib)|mode);
write4bits((lownib)|mode);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::write4bits(uint8_t value) {
expanderWrite(value);
pulseEnable(value);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::expanderWrite(uint8_t _data){
Wire.beginTransmission(_addr);
Wire.write((int)(_data) | _backlightval);
Wire.endTransmission();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::pulseEnable(uint8_t _data){
if (_useEnable2) {
expanderWrite(_data | En2); // En high
delayMicroseconds(1); // enable pulse must be >450ns

expanderWrite(_data & ~En2); // En low
delayMicroseconds(50); // commands need > 37us to settle
} else {
expanderWrite(_data | En); // En high
delayMicroseconds(1); // enable pulse must be >450ns

expanderWrite(_data & ~En); // En low
delayMicroseconds(50); // commands need > 37us to settle
}
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::load_custom_character(uint8_t char_num, uint8_t *rows){
createChar(char_num, rows);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setBacklight(uint8_t new_val){
if (new_val) {
backlight(); // turn backlight on
} else {
noBacklight(); // turn backlight off
}
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::printstr(const char c[]){
//This function is not identical to the function used for "real" I2C displays
//it's here so the user sketch doesn't have to be changed
print(c);
}

Hi dugolf,

I have a 3.3 volt 4004 LCD (eastrising - buydisplay from ebay) and i'm trying to get this working on a Wemos Lolin32 (i have several I2C backpacks on the shelf, and i have one Bi-Directional Logic Level converter also available)

Do you think one can get this working together?
I am not a engineer, just a starter with the ESP32 platform

I am a bit confused about the schematic you provide (RW pin from the I2C interface)
The ESP32 has two I2C interfaces, one is localized on the pins 21-22, that would be my favorite to work with.

I've tried a 4-bit setup with this display, but had no luck in getting it working directly from the ESP32 without the I2C backpack, so only with jumperwires to a breadboard.

My setup:
1Wemos Lolin32 v1.0 (ESP32)
1
BuyDisplay 40x4 LCD model: ERM4004-1 - 3.3volt version
5YwRobot I2C backpack
1
8 channel Bi-directional Logic Level converter
1*stepdown buck 5v to 3.3v / 2Amp

Grtz,
Yves

Hi Dugolf,
I just tried it on a Fordata 40 x 4 display and it works, the only problem so far is lcd.clear(), it clears just the last two rows, any idea how to solve that??

zgubidan:
Hi Dugolf,
I just tried it on a Fordata 40 x 4 display and it works, the only problem so far is lcd.clear(), it clears just the last two rows, any idea how to solve that??

Any progress on this? I just salvaged a Powertip brand PC4004B display, works well but I have the same issue, clears the last 2 rows only.

Thanks!