Hi guys,
Sorry to post this problem (i know its fairly common but i think ive tried everything that has been suggested in other answers on other posts), but im relatively new to all this and am really struggling to get my LCD to display anything but the blocks on the top line.
Ive reinstalled audrino IDE three times now and deleted all my libraries to make sure i was starting fresh (ive been trying various libraries and following the suggestions to other posts on the subject with no success)
Im using a Pro Mini i got off amazon
had a fair bit of trouble with it until i read one of the comments on amazon saying it was actually a 3.3v 8Mhz board and when i tried that it recognised it on COM3 and started letting me upload sketches. I am running 5v into it - when i run 3.3v into it (by changing the flip over on my USB to Serial Converter) i loose the blocks along the top and ive checked the voltage going to the LCD and its sitting at 4.8v
here is my serial converter;
*as im a new user i can only include 2 links in a post so the serial converter im using is the Yizhet 2x FT232RL USB to TTL Serial Converter Adapter 3.3V 5.5V Module Mini Port for Arduino from amazon
Im using this LCD (ive tried both and having the same problem with each of them - ive also checked the chip as per the notes in the description and can confirm its the PCF8574T chip with 0x27 Default address.
i was running the scanner before i noticed this as i thought i may have been a strange default address causing the problem and all i got repeating on the serial monitor when i uploaded the scanner sketch was ⸮⸮ǧ⸮G⸮⸮D%⸮⸮⸮⸮⸮⸮⸮C over and over although the LCD did not change.
Have installed Bill Perrys hd44780 library and uploaded the following sketch which is doing something (the light on the pro is now flashing three times every second) but nothing on the LCD bar the blocks and backlight.
/* YourDuino.com Example Software Sketch
* _2_Line_I2C_Display_TestV2.ino
* 16 character 2 line I2C Display
* Uses Bill Perry's HD44780 Library, which can be installed from the Arduino Library Manager
* See Bills documentation: https://github.com/duinoWitchery/hd44780
* See the "API Summary" section. Use "lcd" in front like lcdbegin(cols, rows)
*
* LCD Display Blue or Yellow: I2C/TWI "Backpack" Interface
questions?? terry@yourduino.com
*/
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/*LiquidCrystal compability:
Since this hd44780 library is LiquidCrystal API compatible, most existing LiquidCrystal
sketches should work with hd44780 hd44780_I2Cexp i/o class once the
includes are changed to use hd44780 and the lcd object constructor is
changed to use the hd44780_I2Cexp i/o class.
*/
/*-----( Import needed libraries )-----*/
#include <Wire.h>
#include <hd44780.h> // main hd44780 header
#include <hd44780ioClass/hd44780_I2Cexp.h> // i2c expander i/o class header
/*-----( Declare Constants )-----*/
// LCD geometry
const int LCD_COLS = 16;
const int LCD_ROWS = 2;
/*-----( Declare objects )-----*/
hd44780_I2Cexp lcd; // declare lcd object: auto locate & auto config expander chip
/*-----( Declare Variables )-----*/
int status;
void setup() /*----( SETUP: RUNS ONCE )----*/
{
status = lcd.begin(LCD_COLS, LCD_ROWS);
if(status) // non zero status means it was unsuccesful
{
// hd44780 has a fatalError() routine that blinks an led if possible
// begin() failed so blink error code using the onboard LED if possible
hd44780::fatalError(status); // does not return
}
Serial.begin(9600);
// Print a message to the LCD.
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("2-Line DISPLAY");
delay(1500);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("YourDuino: HI!");
delay(5000);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Now YOU Type ");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("On SerialMonitor");
}/*--(end setup )---*/
void loop() /*----( LOOP: RUNS CONSTANTLY )----*/
{
{
// when characters arrive over the serial port...
if (Serial.available()) {
// wait a bit for the entire message to arrive
delay(100);
// clear the screen
lcd.clear();
// read all the available characters
while (Serial.available() > 0) {
// display each character to the LCD
lcd.write(Serial.read());
}
}
}
}/* --(end main loop )-- */
/*-----( Declare User-written Functions )-----*/
/* ( THE END ) */
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. happy to upload any pictures which would help you.
Thanks
Kenalda
now ive actually got the 'easy' hardware working and im moving onto the 'complicated' software part... buckle in.