Hi, I've been trying to build things with my 1602 lcd recently, and I have found that a lot of the projects I've seen have an lcd with 4 pins sticking out of the left side unlike the 16 pins on the top like I have. Is it possible for me to get a part to implement these, or would I need to buy a new lcd? Sorry if the answer to this is obvious, but I am new to arduino and not very experienced.
You can get that part on Amazon, I think it's called a backpack, but just search Amazon for 1602 LCD and you will see it. I just ordered some.
It is called and I2C backpack or adapter. They typically use a PFC8574 I2C to parallel chip. You can get them separate from the LCD display if you already have a display. There are numerous incomparable libraries (many with the same name) that can make the interface simpler for you. After you pick a library look at the example code to see how it works. If you are looking at some project make sure you have the same library they used or you may get compile errors from incompatibilities.
I would recommend the HD44780 library. It is a bit more complex because it supports multiple devices, but it is well documented and includes diagnostics to help debug if (when?) you have problems.
Some examples.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lcd+display+i2c+adapter
- You can buy three 20X4 I2C, LCD displays for about $17.00, suggest you just buy new displays.
Once you get the backpacks, or new displays with them, switch the library from LiquidCrystal to LiquidCrystal_I2C
- Nice dog.
Yes, sadly he passed back in 2020 but I still miss him. Best dog ever. He was born of a mother that was abandoned in the woods on a stormy night. The moment we looked each other in the eyes we knew we were meant to be together. The only time he ever touched another living thing with his teeth was when a pair of Weimaraners attacked our other dog a golden. He survived an attack by a porcupine and a bear, although it eventually cost him the loss of sight in one eye. I am 82, but I would gladly trade a few years of my life for even one more day with him.
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You could either buy the LCD backpack and solder it onto the pins, or buy a pre-soldered one.
thank you, this was very helpful!
You are welcome. The backpack is typically shown with a 2X16 display. It will also support 2X20, 4X20 and 2X40 displays (with the library I mentioned above).
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