Contributors:
bboyho,
MikeGrusin Introduction
The PIC-based serial enabled character LCD (a.k.a. SerLCD) backpack is a simple and cost effective solution for interfacing to character Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) based on the HD44780 controller. The backpack simplifies the number of wires needed and allows your project to display all kinds of text and numbers.
Retired
LCD-00258
The SparkFun Serial Enabled LCD Backpack allows you to control a parallel based LCD over a single-wire serial interface. The …
4
Retired
The SerLCD backpack can also be found on a variety of serial enabled character LCDs with different color schemes, sizes, and input voltages. In this tutorial, we will connect to a serial enabled LCD and send ASCII characters to the display using an Arduino microcontroller.
Required Materials
To follow along with this tutorial, you will need the following materials at a minimum. Depending on what you have, you may not need everything on this list. Add it to your cart, read through the guide, and adjust the cart as necessary.
Tools
You may need a soldering iron, solder, and general soldering accessories, and screw driver depending on your setup.
In stock
TOL-09325
This is your basic spool of lead free solder with a water soluble resin core. 0.031" gauge and 100 grams. This is a good spoo…
8
In stock
TOL-12891
What should every hacker have available to them? That's right, a screwdriver (you have to get into those cases somehow). What…
5
Retired
TOL-14228
The WLC100 from Weller is a versatile 5 watt to 40 watt soldering station that is perfect for hobbyists, DIYers and students.…
2
Retired
Suggested Reading
If you aren’t familiar with the following concepts, we recommend checking out these tutorials before continuing.
Serial Communication
Asynchronous serial communication concepts: packets, signal levels, baud rates, UARTs and more!
What is an Arduino?
What is this 'Arduino' thing anyway? This tutorials dives into what an Arduino is and along with Arduino projects and widgets.
Installing Arduino IDE
A step-by-step guide to installing and testing the Arduino software on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Logic Levels
Learn the difference between 3.3V and 5V devices and logic levels.
ASCII
A brief history of how ASCII came to be, how it's useful to computers, and some helpful tables to convert numbers to characters.
Basic Character LCD Hookup Guide
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are a great way to output a string of words or sensor data to a display for visual feedback. In this tutorial, we'll learn about LCDs, how to print a string of words to a 16x2 basic character LCD and create custom characters.
Note: Click on any of the images in this tutorial for a closer look!
