P-ATA Cable for LCD

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1

Hi i'm about to start writing my library for my 3.2" Himax HX8347-A TN TFT

It uses a 40 pin interface for the LCD, touch panel and SD card. My first idea was to tear into my house mates old computer and rip out an P-ATA cable, however the pin 20 is covered to prevent entering the cable backwards. I have noticed there are still 40 cables though.

I just bored a whole through and my LCD plugged in perfectly.

Does anyone know if this pin actually has a contact inside the plastic case or do I need to connect that pin another way.

When I get back to my kit, i'll try lighting an LED through it to solve the problem, just wondering if anybody already knows??

Cheers.

2

Hi all, got back to my box 'o' junk and hooked up an led to pin 20 of the PATA cable ( bored out hole cover ).
And yes there does appear to be pin headers underneath and it works.

I'm quite happy as these cables are very versatile in my opinion. ( even if pin 20 was not used, as LCD has I think 4 unused connections ).
Also avoids having everything squashed in together, LCD is now has 40cm of freedom.

3

Make sure you use the old 40-pin 40-wire cable, not the 40-pin 80-wire cable.

4

Cheers, yeah its the 40 wire version.