Hello everyone,
So I have a few questions. I have an LCD Keypad Shield pictures can be seen here. I see that there are pins above the LCD itself, which are labeled. Can I use those pins just like normal pins? It doesn't seem like the normal female cables I have really fit on there. Secondly, similar to the first question, if the LCD is using particular digital pins, can they be utilized at the same time for something else? I have a bunch of other questions but they are mostly related to my project which I can post elsewhere.
Thanks!
I see that there are pins above the LCD itself, which are labeled. Can I use those pins just like normal pins?
No. Those pins are labeled with respect to the lcd controller and do not directly relate to any Arduino pins.
LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);
This term which you will see in code to use that shield is called the "constructor", and it tells the liquid crystal library which Arduino pins connect to the lcd controller pins. (RS,EN,D4,D5,D6,D7)
Secondly, similar to the first question, if the LCD is using particular digital pins, can they be utilized at the same time for something else?
No. Using pins which the Arduino is using to talk to the display for other purposes will interfere with the display. The shield backlight control is on arduino pin 10, and it should not be used for other purposes. There are some circuit issues with the backlight which should be reviewed.
So the digital pins of 0,1,2,3,8,9 would be available to use with this shield? Say to control a stepper motor?
And what is the easiest way to use the open pins since this LcD fits right over the Arduino?
So the digital pins of 0,1,2,3,8,9 would be available to use with this shield? Say to control a stepper motor?
No. Pins 8 and 9 are hard wired from those arduino pins to the RS and EN pins of the lcd controller.
0 and 1 are the serial RX and TX pins for the arduino and they are best to stay away from as they are in use when downloading code or using the serial monitor.
And what is the easiest way to use the open pins since this LcD fits right over the Arduino?
You can solder wires or header pins to the extra holes (pins 1-7) brought out the top of the shield. The analog pins can be used as digital pins, and they are broken out as well with holes on the top of the shield.
Thanks for all the help so far, and I apologize because all of this is new to me. Instead of soldering how can I use the holes? And the holes on the top, how would I call them out to use them?
And the holes on the top, how would I call them out to use them?
The holes on the top are hard wired to the associated arduino pins. You just call them in your code.
Instead of soldering how can I use the holes?
Unfortunately you can't. You must use solder to make reliable connections. You can solder in male or female pin headers so you can connect jumper wires to the header, or you will have to solder a wire directly to the hole.