Waveshare 3.5inch TFT Touch Screen with ESP32

Other Hardware Displays
1

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and it is my first topic. So please don't hesitate to tell me if I'm doing anything wrong ;-).

I am trying to use this display: https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/3.5inch_TFT_Touch_Shield (see also first picture) with a Uno-shaped ESP32 board (see second picture). But no success so far (I also tried with an ESP8266 board). This display works with an Arduino Uno R3 board that I have and the library provided on the Waveshare's wiki.

From what I read in similar topics on this forum, the TFT_eSPI library of Bodmer may be working with this display. But all I can get for now is the backlight that turns on and a white screen.
I also tried to translate the Waveshare library to make it running with the ESP32 and even if it compiles well, I also get a white screen...

Has anyone ever tried to make this display work with an ESP8266 or an ESP32 ?

Thanks for your help, I am kinda really stuck here...

TFT_screen.jpg
TFT_screen.jpg1040×585 133 KB

ESP32.jpg
ESP32.jpg1040×585 108 KB

2

Paste your User_Setup.h for TFT_eSPI

It should be little more than plugging a shield into your Uno Format board.
Configuring for the shield.
Running all of Bodmer's examples.

I am not at a PC. There might even be a ready-made config. I will have a look later.

David.

3

Hi David and thank you for your quick reply !

I did not modify anything in the User_Setup.h, I made a User_Setup_ESP32_ILI9486.h file in the User_Setups folder. And I modify the User_Setup_Select.h accordingly.

Here is the content of the User_Setup_ESP32_ILI9486.h:

// See SetupX_Template.h for all options available

#define ILI9486_DRIVER

#define TFT_CS 5 // Chip select control pin D8
#define TFT_DC 14 // Data Command control pin
#define TFT_RST 12 // Reset pin (could connect to NodeMCU RST, see next line)
//#define TFT_RST -1 // Set TFT_RST to -1 if the display RESET is connected to NodeMCU RST or 3.3V

//#define TOUCH_CS PIN_D2

#define LOAD_GLCD // Font 1. Original Adafruit 8 pixel font needs ~1820 bytes in FLASH
#define LOAD_FONT2 // Font 2. Small 16 pixel high font, needs ~3534 bytes in FLASH, 96 characters
#define LOAD_FONT4 // Font 4. Medium 26 pixel high font, needs ~5848 bytes in FLASH, 96 characters
#define LOAD_FONT6 // Font 6. Large 48 pixel font, needs ~2666 bytes in FLASH, only characters 1234567890:-.apm
#define LOAD_FONT7 // Font 7. 7 segment 48 pixel font, needs ~2438 bytes in FLASH, only characters 1234567890:.
#define LOAD_FONT8 // Font 8. Large 75 pixel font needs ~3256 bytes in FLASH, only characters 1234567890:-.
#define LOAD_GFXFF // FreeFonts. Include access to the 48 Adafruit_GFX free fonts FF1 to FF48 and custom fonts

#define SMOOTH_FONT

// #define SPI_FREQUENCY 27000000
#define SPI_FREQUENCY 40000000
// #define SPI_FREQUENCY 80000000

#define SPI_READ_FREQUENCY 20000000

#define SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY 2500000

// #define SUPPORT_TRANSACTIONS

I looked again in the datasheets provided by Waveshare and found that the controller is ILI9486L, not ILI9486. Are these controllers really different ?

Kevin

4

The SPI Config switches on the Shield should be set for D11, D12, D13 and not the 3x2 header.

From the Wiki:
LCD_CS = D10 -> GPIO5
LCD_RST = D8 -> GPIO12
LCD_DC = D7 -> GPIO14

TP_CS = D4 -> GPIO17
SD_CS = D5 -> GPIO16

So your config looks ok.

I can only suggest that you set SPI_FREQUENCY to 27MHz or lower.
And always select TRANSACTIONS
I woulld also define your Touch CS pin

Please let us know how you get on.

David.

Edit. Please note that I do not own a Waveshare. I can only read the docs

5

@klarnier,

I would be interested to know if your display works with my library: ILI9486_SPI

See also this topic: SOLVED---Waveshare 4inch Touch LCD Shield to be used with arduino due

But like David I think you are best served with TFT_eSPI.

Jean-Marc

6

Hi again,

None of the solution you proposed did work. Still a white screen.

@david_prentice
You mentionned the 3x2 header (CSPI, right ?) and that made me thinking. So I tried connecting the shield using dupont wires to the Arduino Uno board without connecting this 3x2 connector. And voilà ! White screen with the Arduino too. So I think some messages are passed trough this connector. I will continue to dig into it this evening.

Kevin

7

Hi Kevin,

your jumper switches on the shield seem to be open.

Jean-Marc

8

@ZinggJM
Thank you so much Jean-Marc ! That was as simple as putting those little switches to the position for standard SPI pins. ICSP position is selected by default.
Now my display is working with your library. I haven't been able to make it work with TFT_eSPI tough. I will keep trying to make it work with TFT_eSPI as I intend to create sketches that can run on both ILI9341 and ILI9486 displays.
I will put [solved] in the topic in a few days. Just waiting for more tests with TFT_ePSI.

Kevin

9

Go on. You just have to specify the correct pins in TFT_eSPI User_Setup.h for your Shield.

Bodmer might even have a specific config in /User_Setups e.g. Setup5_RPi_ILI9486.h

Edit pins for 5, 14, 12 i.e. as suggested in #3

10

@klarnier

Hi Kevin,

how did you get on with TFT_eSPI?

I just tried my RPi display with Wemos D1 R2 and TFT_eSPI. It works and it is extremely fast!

I had to select the following in User_Setup.h

#define RPI_ILI9486_DRIVER // 20MHz maximum SPI

for my proto board wiring:

#define TFT_CS   PIN_D8  // Chip select control pin D8
#define TFT_DC   PIN_D4  // Data Command control pin
#define TFT_RST  PIN_D3  // Reset pin (could connect to NodeMCU RST, see next line)

important:

 #define SPI_FREQUENCY  20000000

I hope this helps.

Jean-Marc

User_Setup.h (12.9 KB)