Introduction: Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Setup

By Zagros Robotics

For this project you will need the following components:

Raspberry Pi 3

Raspberry Pi 7" Touchscreen Display

Package includes:

  • DSI Ribbon cable
  • 4 x Jumper wires
  • 4 x Screws (used to mount Pi board to the Adapter board)

Touchscreen Display Enclosure

Step 1: Setting Up the Touchscreen.

Flip over the screen and you will find the Adapter board already attached to the back of the screen.

Open the ribbon housing by slightly sliding out the black brackets on either side of the housing at the same time. (May need to use fingernails.)

Insert the DSI Ribbon blue side down.

Step 2: Connect Jumper Wires.

The kit includes 4 jumper wires. Insert the wires into pins correct pins on the board.

(You can use different colors than what I chose, however the color will need to match up with the correct pin on the Pi board in later steps.)

  • GND (Black)
  • 5V (Red)
  • SCL (Yellow)
  • SDA (Green)

Step 3: Install a Keyboard to Your Pi.

Before attaching the Pi to the Adapter board you will need to configure it for touchscreen use.

Hook up your Pi to a keyboard and monitor.

Open Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install matchbox-keyboard

Reboot your pi:

sudo shutdown -r now

The keyboard can be found by clicking the Menu -> Accessories-> Keyboard.

If you do not see the Keyboard in the Accessories menu after reboot, or if you would like to make a Desktop icon,

Open Terminal:

cd Desktop

nano keyboard.sh

This opens GNU nano:

#!/bin/bash

matchbox-keyboard

In Terminal: (Command that makes the shortcut icon executable.)

chmod +x keyboard.sh

Step 4: Adjust Screen for Rotation.

When I first tested the touchscreen in the display case, it appeared upside down.

Follow these steps to flip the screen.

In Terminal:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Add line:

lcd_rotate=2

To exit:

Ctrl + X

Y

Enter

Shutdown Pi and remove all plug-ins.

Step 5: Mount Pi to the Adapter Board.

Now you are ready to attach the Pi.

Align the Pi so the ribbon ports are stacked on the same side.

Secure the boards together with the 4 screws included.

Slide the ribbon brackets upward on the Pi to open the housing.

Insert the ribbon and slide the ribbon brackets back down to tighten.

Attach wires to the Pi board.

  • GND (Black) to the third pin down on the right hand side,
  • 5V (Red) to the second pin down on the right,
  • SCL (Yellow) to the third pin down on the left hand side,
  • SDA (Green) to the second pin down on the left hand side.

Step 6: Enclosure Assembly

  1. Lay white frame face down onto back of screen.
  2. Align the back of the enclosure with the correct openings for the Pi board.
  3. Secure together with the 4 screws included.

Step 7: Power Up!

Plug in your mini USB to a power outlet or an external battery pack.

Voila! Your touchscreen is ready.