I'm working on a project for my exams. This is the final thing I need to get out of the way to pass. I would like to be pointed in the right direction.
Summary
At the company I do my internschip, they have a testing device. They use it to test certain functions from a contrast injector. Its called a X-ray test fixture. on this test device, you have four switches that all control an individual relay. instead of these switches they want something different. They really want it controlled by something digital like a display, with a menu. If that isn't possible they want something with buttons.
from school i got two displays.
the LCD 16x2
and the st7920
i don't need to use them both. I want to control four relays with one LCD display. School gave me 2 ''2 relay module'' components.
question
Can someone tell me if it is possible and doable in 2-3 weeks, to control four relays with one display? if the displays i mentioned above can do this or i can better use something else. And where can i find information about this?
Thanks for you time and help. If there is information missing please let me know. P.S sorry about my english.
You cannot do this. An Arduino can control relays and also control an LCD. But the LCD cannot control the relays.
Ah, so do you mean a touchscreen display? The user touches a virtual buttons on the LCD touchscreen, the Arduino reads that and activates the relays. That's possible.
Neither of these models of LCD have a touchscreen.
How are these two things different?
For a beginner? No. For an expert, yes. But if you get an expert to do it for you, the school will not give you any marks, I think.
PaulRB thank you for your quick response! I could use a touchscreen display, if that is easier. It can be any display, if it is not too expensive(0-100$). Could you recommend some different solutions for controlling the four relays? Thanks for your help!
They make 4 relay modules ask for one or use 2 two relay modules. I am assuming you need to control 4 functions. Also it is easier to use the 16x2 display, be sure it has a I2C interface (backpack), much easier then connecting a bunch of wires. Get a copy of the Arduino Cookbook, and skim it cover to cover stopping to read any section that is interesting or relative to your project.
Like PaulRB wrote lcd doesn't control anything, you need MCU. What you have?
What's the simplest form of "something digital like a display, with a menu"? I would imagine, simple display and two buttons, one to scroll and one to select. That would be realistic for beginner, so start studying.
using an ESP32 you could run an Access point plus Webserver - a smartphone could then connect to the web server and using a web client control the relays
Something you may want to look into is using a chip like an ESP 8266 (just as an example). You can control your 4 relays from any smart phone or PC wirelessly.
Next a Google of Arduino Touch Screen will get you plenty of hits for touch screens compatible with an Arduino. This link gives a good brief overview of using a touch screen with an Arduino UNO R3, just as an example.
I'm sorry i was answering the quistions in my head, my bad. The company just wants something different then what they have now. I could also make some suggestions. If you think there is a better and maybe easier solution, let me know.
Rather than repeating answers to questions you already answered, please answer questions you have not yet answered. If you need help identifying the questions, look for the "?" symbol.
And what is that? You mentioned some switches before. What about replacing those switches with new switches with different style or colour? That would meet the requirement of being something different, and a lot less effort than Arduino and LCD screens.
Company..? I didn't read you post well, I thought this was some school exercise with limited hardware....
Buy esp32 and write some super simple bluetooth app for smartphone?
Edit:
But it can't beat those beautiful switches:)
My internship company. It is indeed a school project, but i finished the rest and saved this for last. But it is al little more difficult then i expected. Thanks for your help!
There are million ways of doing this, but any of them is going to perform that simple task better than those switches. So make a question, why? They think it's more "cool" with display? Or because you need to present skills in programming/electronics...?
