Hi First an admission. I am far too old to be doing this stuff but it is much more fun than playing computer games! I have read quite a number "cries for help" about 16,2 LCDs. Thanks to Paul McWhorter I have managed to get one functioning as I want. I have a very specific need for one in a project I am building. so you could say I have solved my problem. But it seemed obvious that using and 12c adapter would be a neater solution and I thought that simply adapting the software in Drone.Bot would be worthwhile. But like so many others on this forum I to the "Positive was not declared in this scope" message. I have version 1.1.2 of the Liquid Crystal but that does not help. I admit be being confused about some of the solutions I read so I spent some time wandering through the Liquid Crystal libraries including those incorporating the 44780 Hitachi version but so far nothing has worked. At the end of the day I can simply stick with the version that does not use the adapter and that I have working even though it requires a lot more wires, but if there is a solution an old bloke is likely to be able to understand I would appreciate the information. Incidentally, I was not kidding when I said too old to be doing this, I was bornin 1937. regards Woodie

[image] bperrybap: you can't really call it a library "manager" when you have no ability to remove/uninstall an installed library. That's why the new 2.0 version is so good... You can do both in it! :partying_face::partying_face:

Hi This has been a wonderfully informative discussion for me. It was difficult to post the question that kicked it off. As somebody who is not only over the hill, but halfway down the other side, I spend a lot of time feelling as dumb as a brick. And I don't want to breach the Forum's rules but I do have another question. Can I simply ask it or do I need to start another topic? I am curious to know what hardware is best to set up the LCDs permanently. I have just sent away for a Nano as part of the lessons I am going through. Is that a good option? Woodie I

[image] woodie84: And I don't want to breach the Forum's rules but I do have another question. Can I simply ask it or do I need to start another topic? If it's unrelated to the LCD, start a new topic. Else stay here. [image] woodie84: I am curious to know what hardware is best to set up the LCDs permanently. I have just sent away for a Nano as part of the lessons I am going through. Is that a good option? It depends on what you want to do with it :wink: For permanent setups, Nano is prefered over Uno. You will need some extra stuff like female headers and some stripboard so you can solder headers on the stripboard and fit the Nano in there; if you blow up your Nano, it's easier to replace. Alternatively, design your own PCB :wink: Direct alternative to the Nano is the SparkFun ProMini; it does not have a TTL-to-USB converter for easy uploads and communication with the PC. So you either have to add it or upload via ICSP. Other alternatives are an Arduino Micro or a SparkFun ProMicro; nice about these is the option to use them as a HID (keyboard/mouse). The ProMicro has less pins broken out. Both the ProMini and the ProMicro are available in 3.3V/8MHz which can be useful for low power application.

Interconnects are the biggest stumbling block to stable, long term operation. You have to use screw terminals instead of DuPont connectors for IO and power connects. https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/madmark2150/perf-panel-paired-power-plug-piggyback-for-mega-2560-uno-67d604 Mounting is another issue. Some modules, in order to minimize size, have no mounting holes. I bought a 3D printer to make specific mounts and accessories. [1655342944518] [1646281880196] If your dexterity is not what it was, I developed 3D printed shrouds that slip over groups of DuPont connectors to make it easy to attach them as a group and less prone to pullout or falling off while bring handled. [image] Cable Shrouds and Holder for DuPont (Arduino) .1" connectors NOW WITH SLIP ON SHROUDS! (Slips over pins w/o disconnecting!) .ZIP package includes STL files for DuPont Shrouds in 2, 3, 4, 5, 5X, 6 and 8 stations plus a cable holder to keep your connections from falling apart while still allowing rapid...

Hi Thanks for the tips and your pictures which are a big help because I am now starting to think about moving from the breadboard to hardwired hardware. I am yet to successfully get my head around using CNC. I do a lot of wood and metal turning because my hobby is designing and building electromagnetic clocks (this one is number 14) to which I have started adding "bells and whistles'' (not chimes, I hate chimes) that are external to the clock and the reason I decided to learn to use Arduino. The other reason for Arduino is that I have added a couple of Nema 23s to a Taig lathe and I am interested in learning to use GRBL to see if I can get them to do something that looks a bit like CNC. regards Woodie

Glad to help. TinkerCAD is free easy to learn for 3D printing. It's for KIDS on the STEM track. It even has LEGO mode! LOL NanoCAD is an autoCAD workalike that is free. There are programs that can convert .DXF (Drawing eXchange Format - spoken by most all CAD programs) files into GCODE that the CNC's all ultimately run on. Your CNC, Laser engraver, 3D printer, etc. all ultimately run on Gcode. Good news: Gcode isn't hard. Better news: most programs create the Gcode automatically. Both .DXF and .GCODE files are plain ASCII and can be edited in NOTEPAD or any other ASCII editor. Just made a new version of the Power Board with bigger terminals and caps FINALLY arrived: [1656116038509] Bigger terminals are easier to mount and wire [1656116011368] RGB LED looks cool If you cover my costs & postage I'll send you one. :package: I've made spares.

Thanks very much for that because it is exactly what I will be looking for next. I am never going to be a "programmer" I just want to be able to get some fun bits and pieces to work and Arduino is ideal for my needs. I love your power boards. I have already located some youtubes on Tinkercad that I have never heard of before. I appreciate your taking the time to share. Woodie

I have just had a look at Tinkercad which is new to me. It looks fantastic. It may be directed at kids but it will be ideal for an old bloke like me. Incidentally, I do have a Webpage that is very out of date but gives you an idea of what I like to do. Let me know if it is likely to be of interest and I will post the link. Woodie

Why is it that getting a simple LCD 1602 is so much easier that one with a i2c adapter

Projects Programming

LarryD June 25, 2022, 10:00pm 71

Nice !

You might find this thread interesting, 1000+ posts of different ideas.

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Why is it that getting a simple LCD 1602 is so much easier that one with a i2c adapter

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