Up to 10 1.8" TFT LCD Displays

Other Hardware Displays
1

Hi Folks,

I am musician and amazed about the possibilities of arduino. I would like to have a Midi controller like this:

Unfortunately is too expensive for my budged and I thought that this could be also done with arduino.

It will have 12 footswitches, and on 10 of then I would like to have a LCD with text and background color the will display the function. (the functions will change when I change the banks).

I will explain the whole Project after this first important question:

Can I plug 10 LCD's on one arduino and have all off then displaying independent content?

For the LCD I found this good pricing option:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/1-8-Inch-Serial-PCB-128X160-SPI-TFT-LCD-Display-Modul-IC-SD-Card-fur-Arduino-/271519701001?hash=item3f37d5d809:g:p~AAAOSwVZNTmG6Z

Thank you very much for any help!

Cheers
André

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2

If you want nice colours and fonts, you need a TFT display. It sounds a bit optimistic to have 10 LCDs on one Arduino but not impossible.

You need 10 separate Chip Selects and all the displays connected to the SPI bus.
Note that those displays are 3.3V. You need a 3.3V Arduino or a LOT of level-shifters.

David.

3

Thanks David!

On the description says that the display have a jumper (JP1) where you can choose to use 3.3 or 5V.

I am really sorry, but I am very new on this.

  1. What is Chip Select, is a third part or is already on the arduino board?
  2. Do the Arduino have enough outputs? Is this the SPI Bus?
  3. And why optimistic, what can goes wrong, not enough memory?

I really appreciate your help!

Cheers

4

An Arduino Uno has got about 12 GPIO pins that could be used for Chip-Selects
Obviously, this means that you only have 2 spare for "other" purposes.

Do not believe Ebay vendors. They just add the word "Arduino" to every item without any concern for the truth. Your item requires 3.3V logic. There are several Arduino models that can do 3.3V logic.

If you want to do lots of other things, a 32kB Arduino might not have enough memory.

David.

5

The Arduino Uno doesn't have both outputs? 3V3 AND 5V?

The connections will be:

Midi Out (would be nice to have a Midi Trough too)
10x Footswitch
10x Led

The Arduino Uno doesn't have both outputs? 3V3 AND 5V?

I read about a multiplier. Do I need one?

Thank you!

6

The Arduino Uno doesn't have both outputs? 3V3 AND 5V?

No, but some third party knockoffs have a switch that allow this, however an official Arduino Uno does not. There are however some Arduino boards that do work on 3.3v like the Pro Mini, Due, the new ZERO and the wearable Lilypads.
If you don't have one of those boards then you will need to convert the voltages yourself with either a buffer IC (CD4050BE IC BUFF/CONVERTER) or some resistors (2.2k and 4.7k will work).

(Ard pin 5v) ----(2.2k)-----(LCD pin ~3.3v)-------(4.7k)------(GND)

7

You will have a big struggle with 10 TFT displays, 10 LEDs, 10 Footswitches, and MIDI !!!

This is looking like about 37 different pins already. i.e. a 3.3V Arduino with a LOT of GPIO pins like the Due.

David.

8

Thank you, guys! That is what I wanted to know. Looks like it is possible with a board like the Arduino Due.

David, I forgot to mention:

They are 12 footswitches and 2 Potentiometers (Expression Pedals) =)

So, the 54 Digital I/O, 12 Analog Inputs and 3.3V from the Due will do the job, right?

Thank you so much! Now I will move to the Audio section of this forum!

Cheers
Andre

9

Yes, it all sounds possible. Note that 10 backlights for the 160x128 displays will take quite a bit of current but they are not powered by the Due. The 12 LEDs will be powered by the Due. You will need to calculate the total currents.

The project is quite complex. Design your GPIO requirements, current draw, ... first.
Develop one section at a time.

David.

10

Thank you David!

Unfortunately I never worked with Arduino, so I will need to find someone to help me on that. I just wanted to know if this is possible. So my answer is YES and I am glad!

Maybe someone here wants to help me to develop this? I could also pay for it...

Thank you!

11

I'm unsure why you've not been told about Arduino Mega 2560, it has also got 54 digital input/output pins, pretty cheaper than Due. Don't worry @OP, it's possible, just start practicing so that you can be familiar with the board before you start working on your required project, we're with you :slight_smile: