Code that worked with WINDSTAR LCD doesn't work with Newhaven LCD?

[Darrel Taylor]

Try bumping up the LCD_COMMANDUS value.

1500 is just Under the minimum for that display (according to the datasheet).

1600 should work, but try 2000.
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[Acetronics2]

Hi,

I confirm ... LCD Commandus = 2000 !

I do not know why, but ALL the 2x8 LCDs I have used so far always look a bit " lazy " ...and they only work with Lcd_Commandus set to 2000 !!!


I just made the test with a 2x16 LCD, SPLC780D controller display ... no difference with either 1500 or 2000 ... so, where's the truth ???

Experiece told ... 2000 works @ each time !!!

Alain

[jellis00]

I confirm ... LCD Commandus = 2000 !

Darrel/Alain,
I tried 2000 and also 3000 and the LCD module still doesn't display any characters, but I still know it is alive by rotating the contrast potentiometer near 0 ohms and the block letters appear on line 1 of the display. But no characters when transmitted,no matter what contrast setting.

I noticed one very suttle difference in the Command table between the two devices for the "Clear Display" command that I am wondering if it makes a difference...and if so how I would modify my PBP code to make the change in the command. The two command tables are attached as images.

[mark_s]

Jellis,

I think the problem is your Line 1 and 2 start address. "$80 $C0"
Try $00 - Line 1 and $40 Line 2

Hope this helps

[Darrel Taylor]

     ' LCD DEFINES FOR USING 2x16 LCD with PortA in EASYPIC6
           DEFINE LCD_DREG PORTA    ' Use PORTA for LCD Data
           DEFINE LCD_DBIT 0        ' Use lower(4) 4 bits of PORTA
                                      ' PORTA.0 thru PORTA.3 connect to
                                      ' LCD DB4 thru LCD DB-7 respectively
           DEFINE LCD_RSREG PORTA   ' PORTA for RegisterSelect (RS) bit
           DEFINE LCD_RSBIT 4       ' PORTA.4 pin for LCD's RS line
           DEFINE LCD_RWREG PORTC   ' LCD read/write port
           DEFINE LCD_RWBIT 2       ' LCD read/write bit
           DEFINE LCD_EREG PORTA    ' PORTA for Enable (E) bit
           DEFINE LCD_EBIT 5        ' PORTA.5 pin for LCD's E line

Are you doing something different?

The EASYPIC6 schematic says the LCD is on PORTB.
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[jellis00]

Are you doing something different?

The EASYPIC6 schematic says the LCD is on PORTB.
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Yes, Darrel, I have the LCD hooked up to PortA in my development setup on the EasyPic6 via a Port expander with a ProtoBoard.
I also have the prototype PCB board laid out so that the LCD is connected to PortA in the same way as I have it working on the EasyPic. So my LCD DEFINES are correct (at least for the WINSTAR) and work on the EasyPic configuration with the WINSTAR LCD, but they don't on the prototype PCB with the NEWHAVEN display. Hope this makes it more clear.
NEWHAVEN tech support told me that as long as I saw the character dot matrix blocks on Line 1 of the display whenever it is powered up but with contrast to a minimum, it means the module is alive. That is my situation, but still can't get characters to display. I have sent this posting to NEWHAVEN to see if they can tell me why my PBP initialization isn't working, but doubt they will since their examples for their module are all in C.

[Darrel Taylor]

Yes, Darrel, I have the LCD hooked up to PortA in my development setup on the EasyPic6 via a Port expander with a ProtoBoard.

Another silly question ...

Do you have a pull-up resistor on RA4?
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[jellis00]

I think the problem is your Line 1 and 2 start address. "$80 $C0"
Try $00 - Line 1 and $40 Line 2

I tried that, Mark, and it didn't make any difference.
Where did you get the info of start of line 1 at $00 and start of line 2 at $40 for the NEWHAVEN LCD? I went through the data sheet for the NEWHAVEN display very throroughly and couldn't find anywhere that it specifies the 1st character address in Line 1 or Line 2. For that matter, I also went through the data sheet for the WINSTAR LCD and it doesn't show $80 or $C0 either.

[mark_s]

I found the line address in the Newheaven data sheet. The bottom of
page 6. But it could be something else?