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jessey
- 2nd December 2008, 07:29
Hello,

I've been scouring the net for the cheapest 2x20 character LCD display with an LED backlight and came up with one sold in California by a company called All Spectrum Electronics for the amazing price of only $7.99 USD. The only thing that might be a draw back is that it says that the LED backlight requires a minimum of 5.5V to light, and that you'll need at least 5.7V to achieve optimal brightness.

I checked the datasheets for the 16f688 and the 18f452 (the 2 micros I use the most) and it says the operating voltage range should be between 2.0V to 5.5V which seems to be typical for most of the chips. I was thinking that I could run my micro on a LM317 set up to get the required 5.5V minimum for the back light.

They also sell a 2x24 Character LCD display with an LED backlight for $8.99 USD, the datasheet on this one says that it's a low power consumption unit but I couldn't find a datasheet for the 2x20 one. These units seem to be too good to be true for the money so I thought I'd ask if anyone here has used these units before or has any comments about them, good or bad?

http://www.allspectrum.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=967
there's a link on the bottom of this page for the 2x24 unit

Thanks
jessey

Archangel
- 4th December 2008, 01:23
I always buy from these guys in China, heck they're all made there anyway.http://cgi.ebay.com/20x4-LCD-Module-White-Characters-Blue-Backlight-HD44780_W0QQitemZ350132162950QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI _Electronic_Components?hash=item350132162950&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318
HD44780 controller.

jessey
- 9th December 2008, 04:54
Thanks Joe,

Yea, that's an incredible deal for a 4 x 20 LCD! I just ordered one tonight. They have great deals on all kinds of interesting stuff...

Thanks Again
jessey

Archangel
- 10th December 2008, 00:11
I've spent many hundreds of dollars with this seller, and have been well satisfied.