Display Lcd Chip Hd44780 for Pc Modding

With this instructables you learn how to interface an small lcd character display with a computer, which shows infos or whatever you want

What you need:

1. the display whit hd44780 chip
2. 10kohmTrimmer
3. 100ohm resistor
4. an old lpt cable
5. an usb cable

Tools:
1. soldering iron
2. 3rd hand
3. wires

Step 1: Datasheet

Well the first thing you have to do is to search the lcd datasheet, most of the productor upload it in their sites, so you can search using google tipying the display code.. for example mine was CMC102001L01GBN... you can see an example of datasheet here here

Step 2: Connecting Cables

connect the lpt cable in this way:
Lcd Pins Wire color
RS Orange/White
R/W Brown/White
E Black
DB0 Brown
DB1 Red
DB2 Orange
DB3 Yellow
DB4 Dark green
DB5 Blue
DB6 Lavender
DB7 Grey


Now take the usb cable and connect the black and the red wires respectively to VSS and VDD display pins. (check your datasheet for the right connection, for me pin1 was VSS, and pin2 VDD)
you can cut off the green and the white wire...

Step 3: Trimmer and Resistor

Take the 10k trimmer (I used also a 4,7k and it works good) and connect the central pin to the display on the VO, the other two pins to the pin VSS and VDD of the display

Then take the 100ohm resistor and connect it between the pin BL+ and VDD, and then connect the pin BL- to VSS with a wire.

Step 4: FINISHED!!!!!

Well you've just finished you lcd display!

to test it plug the usb cable to the computer if the screen lights on and appear a black line it works, if not plug out soon and check the links (use the trimmer to try the screen, it regulates contrast, maybe if you not see any line in the screen it is possible that the contrast is regulated to minimum)

Your result must be like this once you installed the program to interface with it (i had not lpt cables so I used normal wires to connect to the lpt port)

Step 5: Conclusion

Now download CrystalControl, and reboot, while the computer is off, connect the display to lpt port and an usb, then start to use your screen!
How to use CrystalControl comes soon!


Sorry for my language, I'm studing english and I make a lot of errors!

Comments

[dog digger]

What is with the resistor in the connector?

[gurtek]

Well i will get my hands on this one too...................

[devicemodder]

my cable doesn't have a black wire

[devicemodder]

I found one in my old lexmark printer\scanner. it has the same pinout as yours

[Bergstrom]

| I am trying to find the specs or equivilent | LCD 2x16 Part Number | PCIM 201-HP or PCIM 201 Was Made By: | Printed Circuits International Inc (Pci) | 407 Lee Ave, Highland Springs, VA 23075-1514 I read that the HD44780 was compatible Its inputs are as follows 1 +5vdc 2 gnd 3 CS 4 RD 5 WR 6 D7 7 D6 8 D5 9 D4 10 D3 11 D2 12 D1 13 D0 Any Takers

[limbo]

Better Software and guidelines on how to on LCD SMARTIE

SITE
Forum

[Derin]

is your one ccm-csl1620-v2

[Derin]

mine has k/a on the side

[CowGuy]

Thankyou! I've been wanting to do this for so long!

[monex89]

i'm glad that the guide can help you!

[Derin]

can you post the lpt connections

[MD_Willington]

Those are cool to fool around with, I have a Noritake Itron VFD wired similar to the LCD...

[NachoMahma]

. This looks like the start of a good iBle, but, as is, I'm not impressed. I would have waited until I had it doing something useful before publishing. Make it do something useful (temp, CPU load, &c) and I'll probably give it a +. . PS: Your English is a little awkward at times, but I have no problems understanding it.

[monex89]

i know my english is not so good.... anyhow, the display can show all the things you said, i didn't take pictures of it, but i can assure that it can...

[lilpunk1302]

There's also a program called LCD Smartie that controls LCD's it can be found HERE.

A good place to get The LCD's themselves is SparkFun Electronics, as seen HERE

Make sure that the one you're getting has a backlight, they come in handy.
It really doesn't matter what color you get, but Black on Green seems to be the color of choice, it's easy to see, not too flashy, and looks almost retro...

Also, watch your sizes, although they're on average $25 depending on size(20x4's are $20, 16x2's are 12) you wouldn't want to have to spend the extra $20 to get a new one after you realize that the one you got is too small for your liking.

Also, maybe invest in buying some form of a plastic housing, just an LCD screen on a desk isn't very appealing, it possesses alot of geek factor, but not appealing.

Whoa, my little "Comment" Here just explained more than the actual instructible :) anyways, that's all for now, quesitons can come in the form of replies to my comment :)

[monex89]

I now lcd smarty, but I is a little more complex than CrystalControl, so i don't mentioned it...do you know jaLCDs? it is the best, but I can't download it..if you can, mail me! ah, if you think I must make a guide also for the lcd case i'll do... thx for the comment!

[lilpunk1302]

You don't have to make a new one, maybe just edit this one to suit, I'm just sayin that compared to other instructions on how to assemble these things, this one actually got me more confused(hypothetically peaking, if I've never done this before). Like you say you need a soldering iron, but don't mention where to use it, instead, you just say "Connect the cables to these places" Without any specific instruction as to what each contact does. So yeah, maybe refine this a little more and it'll be cool **Thumbs up**

[Noblevagrant]

wow this type of thing makes me want to buy an electronics book.

[monex89]

maybe you can't believe me, but I started to make this kind of things 2 months ago...and watch now what I can do!

[GorillazMiko]

ahh, cool. :D