Im trying to replace a VFD with a 16x2 LCD display. I tried to find the manual for the VFD. Closest I could get is from the service manual of my sampler I own which breaks down the VFD display about. Luckily I have pictures of that and the LCD I bought too I want to (and hope somehow) I can solder in place of the VFD. Since I intend to desolder the VFD out and sell it probably since Im not crazy over it.
Please let me know if Im out of my mind or if this is a Dunning-Kruger effect because Im not a trained engineer or gear expert but I am determined to mod my sampler with this at least.
I hope you all have a good day too,
Thank you for your time
Jacob R.
First pictures the FIP16A5R VFD Ive no intention of replacing with another one. I hope this wonder of mine will work.
This is from my service manual of my sampler and its of the VFD (potentially) being replaced via desoldering and soldering the LCD into its place (if so, Ill make some holder for the LCD to mount it in place for the front panel) [only allowed to upload three pics since Im new on this site and forums page, so I had to only upload take two (below)]
This is just take two or adding to the second image (above with the VFD screenshot drawn over and the LCD and its pinout I pasted into that picture) just me trying to figure out the pinout for how I can do this (if its possible)
I would say unless you have intimate knowledge of the main board circuity, which goes beyond just having a datasheet for the display, and full control of the software or f/w on that main board, then the answer is going to be not possible.
Based on the number of pins on the VFD, I'm assuming that the VFD segments are driven directly i.e. there is some h/w that scans across each character position lighting up the needed segments in each character position.
Also, VFDs use high voltage and I don't see the circuitry for that on the display, which would mean that the interface between the main board and the VFD is not TTL levels.
i.e. above the 5v used by the LCD.
The new LCD you have (BTW, they are also available in 16x1 versions), is an hd44780 display.
It uses TTL voltage levels, i.e. levels a 0v and 5v.
The hd44780 interface uses a command interface across a 8 or 4 bit bus.
i.e. the host processor on the main board sends instructions or characters to a processor on the LCD.
While it might be possible to replace that VFD with a hd44780 LCD, it would not be just a simple matter of soldering up wires.
You would have to figure out how wire in the new LCD to signals that the main board could control at TTL levels.
Then you would have to modify the f/w on the board to know how to talk to this different LCD.
I mean worst case worst I could even make a new PCB Switch Board that could take this 16x2 LCD like my friend suggested for my sampler mod.
Cheers and Regards
Jacob R.
P.S. : Please let me know if you are interested in seeing more of my sampler mods I am attempting as well to do too. I love the feedback and honesty you gave and I feel comfortable for not being mocked or made fun of for wanting to mod my sampler. So thank you both once more
Once more too this is a Roland S-550 sampler Im modding since its mine
This is my attempt at replacing an MD6209 DAC Chip with an AM6012DC DAC Chip (inside my Roland S-550 sampler, this is the main mod project Im focusing on. Well one of the main mods. I hope this pinout is good. Though I expect some wrong locations I put certain labels for demonstration.
Please let me know if I should relocate some pins or if its good enough? Please dont hesitate to message me either. Thank you all for your feedback
