FREE Serial LCD Backpack Board

[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