FREE Serial LCD Backpack Board

[rmteo]

• May be used with character LCD‘s with up to 4 lines.
• Up to 20 characters per line are available.
• Easy to use - simple Decimal commands.
• Only 3 lines needed - 5V power, ground and signal input.
• Compact size - 1.78in long by 0.98in wide.
• Turn display ON/OFF remotely.
• Automatic baud rate selection from 1,200 to 57,600. Standard RS-232 or TTL level signals.
• Software controlled LED backlight, 255 brightness levels.


You can download a data/instruction sheet here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rmteo/sit...les/dx-lcd.pdf

I will be giving away 10 of these to members of this forum. You just have to pay for priority shipping (US$7 for USA, US$15 for International addresses).

To qualify (and to avoid any confusion), you will have to do this:
1. Send me a PM to say that you are interested. Also, please state whether you want 2x8 or 1x16 header on the board. I will reply with my PayPal info.
2. Post a reply here with your name stating that you are interested and have sent me the PM.

The first 10 names to post here will be receive the board. Good luck and thanks for your interest.

[muddy0409]

Yes, interested.
PM sent by the time you read this.

[keithdoxey]

PM sent but forgot to say 16 pin header !!!

Thanks

Keith

[bcd]

Just following up on the PM where we discussed the LCD board.
bill.

[rmteo]

Hi Bill,

I do not recall your PM. Would you please refresh my memory please.

[rmteo]

Sorry, I found your PM. Yes, I do have 2x8 as well 1x16.

[boroko]

What a neat gesture. Very thoughtful.

A 2x8 if one is still available.

Thank you
Boroko

[rmteo]

Here is the demo program for the SERIAL LCD backpack that runs on a PC.

[rmteo]

Rather than let this go on indefinitely, I will end this offer at the end of the week (November 22, 2008).

So far I have sent out 3 of these, 2 to Australia and 1 to the UK. You may already have received your unit.

Thanks to all for your interest.

[mackrackit]

Interested.
PM sent.

[Nicmus]

Add me to the list.
PM sent.

Thanks,

Nick

[muddy0409]

Board arrived today. Thanks.

[rmteo]

One more day to go.

Another 2 (USA) have been sent out - for a total of 5 so far.

[DaveC3]

I would like a 1x16, PM sent

Thanks

Dave

[Nicmus]

I got mine today.
Thanks rmteo.

Nick

[rmteo]

Have you used the serial LCD backpack? Feedback on this thread is appreciated.

[c_moore]

Hello,

Rene was kind enough to also give me a LCD serial backpak.I just wanted to say thanks.I have been using it with great success.It is very easy to use.I Also have a SGLCD and that thing is the cats meow.I am needing another one.


Regards
Charlie Moore

[rmteo]

Just a quick note. You will need to do this once only. The parameters are stored in EEPROM and will make the LCD go to the next line automatically if the length of the text exceeds the width of the LCD. Also, it will jump to line 1 if the text goes beyond the bottom right character position.

[rmteo]

The Serial LCD board communicates at 57600, 38400, 19200, 9600, 4800, 2,400 or 1,200 Baud. It uses 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. There are no switches or jumpers to set the baud rate. See this from the datasheet in post #1:

It has a unique feature called AutoSYNC that will automatically adjust to the baud rate of the incoming data.
When the display is powered-up (and after waiting for it to settle and the splash screen to appear), send the
character “U” [85] and the display will automatically set its baud rate within about 500mS (the splash
screen will change from “AutoSYNC” to “Connected” when this is accomplished).

Clicking on the "CONNECT" button (see previous post) does this - it sends out the character "U".

[rmteo]

OK, the last 2 are going to Dave of TX and Mark of MI. This offer is now CLOSED.

Feedback here is appreciated. Thanks to all for your interest.

[rmteo]

I managed to get one more out to David of CA.

Nick sent this pic, thanks.

[Nicmus]

Hi all,

I received my serial LCD controller board and completed the preliminary tests.
The board performs as advertised and is easy to use. It will be a really big help for someone who doesn’t have spare I/Os or doesn’t feel like fighting the “LCD war”.
I’m happy and the picture Rene posted shows it.

The Exerciser application is also a good, helpful tool.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I give it a 9+. It should be a “must” in everybody’s inventory.

Good job Rene.

I’m not sure how much is involved to change a couple of things that, in my opinion, will make the controller even more desirable:
• Change the control of the two outputs from “Toggle” to direct “High” or “Low” commands for full user control.
• Give user access to customized splash screen and (or) perform an automatic delayed CLS.
One possible problem to report: I was unable to communicate with the controller at 1200 and 38400 baud rates. I can’t say for sure if it was my setup or there is a problem. The controller will “connect” but will not receive anything after that. I’m mostly interested in 38400.

Regards,

Nick M

[rmteo]

Thanks for your comments, Nick.

Regarding the 2 outputs, they are both off by default when delivered. However, whenever their state is changed, it is stored in EEPROM so you have full control over them.

Regarding a custom splash screen, you can create your own in your application. If you disable the splash screen you will get a blank screen on startup/reset (the status of the splash screen is also stored in EEPROM so it will remain OFF until you deliberately turn in ON again).

[Nicmus]

Hi Rene,

My point on the two outputs is that the master controller has no way of knowing their status.

The way you have it setup will only let you change status without the master knowing what that status is or, go to the extreme of tracking all your changes to these pins. You will be able to get only a blinking LED without knowing when is ON and when is OFF. Saving it in EEPROM won’t do any good to the master after reset or power down. What if I need to turn a heater on if a temperature is bellow a certain value or send feedback information to the remote display that the heater is on?

Again, this is just my opinion.

Regards,

Nick

[rmteo]

Nick,

Now I see your point regarding the outputs. I will look into making them deliberate On-Off actions.

[jerryf]

Where is lcd board available For Sale & how much does it cost
Jerry

[rmteo]

Jerry, I have extended the FREE offer to you. Check your PM. Let me know whether you want a 2x8 or 1x16.

[rxforspeed]

Hello Rene-I'm sorry I missed this offer, but I haven't had much time to visit this forum within the past couple of weeks. If I were to purchase one of your GLCD units, what would the additional cost be to add one of these boards to the package? I should be here a bit more often for at least the next couple of weeks, so I'd appreciate it if you could reply back either here or if you could give me another call (if you still have my number)...

I'm back to work and trying to cram in as many hours as I can before I start classes, so if you do call and I can't answer then I'm either busy working or stuck somewhere without service on my cell. Thanks for the great products and offers, and I'm looking forward to purchasing these products in the near future...

[DaveC3]

Rene

I received the backpack. It works great. Thanks for the kind offer.

Dave

[rmteo]

Adam, if you get the GLCD, I will throw in the LCD backpack for free.

[rxforspeed]

Adam, if you get the GLCD, I will throw in the LCD backpack for free.

A genuine heartfelt thanks goes out to you, Rene, for your kindness and generousity. My schedule looks to be pretty full for this coming week but I WILL make time to place the order this week...

I'm looking forward to doing business with you, sir...

[bryonvp]

These boards look just like what I need. Are these available for purchase, if so how much? Thanks

[rmteo]

These boards look just like what I need. Are these available for purchase, if so how much? Thanks

If you need just 1 board, I will extend this offer to you. Send me a PM.

[bryonvp]

Thanks for the offer. A 16x1 board would be great. I have PM'd you.

[DavidK]

Just figured it happened to others but my HD crashed. I was able to recover most of my PicBasicPro files but a few are still corruct. Does anyone have the original instructions "dx-lcd.pdf," mine will not open. The LCD-Demo opens fine.

[boroko]

I got one of those from Rene too and have been thankful for it. Hope this is what you're looking for.

Bo

[DavidK]

Perfect !! That is what I was looking for