Looking for some direction.
I want to display a sensor value on a 2 digit LCD. I know there are ways to drive these directly from the micro controller or use a driver IC. As pin-count is not an issue, but cost and low power are important which method would be better? I am assuming when you use a driver IC you could put the micro to sleep if say sensor updates are only required every minute or so but could you do that with driving directly?
I have never used these types of LCD before so I am wanting to know feasibility before i start buying.
I would like to run it off 1 or 2 batteries.
Any example projects would be great.
Thanks for your input
low current important.
Alternatives. search ebay for "hd44780 lcd" and for "5110 LCD"
both low current (backlight can be controlled)
both low cost
The 5110. more flexible as it is fully graphical
The best way to achieve your stated goal would be to use a microcontroller - such as some PICs - which is designed specifically to drive LCDs.
Other than that, the multiplexing is a little complex and mandates that the microcontroller be continuously running and not crash, which could burn out the LCD. So you want a LCD with its own driver, which will already be optimised for low current consumption anyway.