LCD do display - but pins check out

[andybarrett1]

Trimmer across 5v and 0v (5k) on the contrast (Pin 3)

Just noticed Pin3 LCD Vo is up high... Should be more Low (0v) if no trimmer ?

[Scampy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look at adding a trim pot for the contrast, and a few more decoupling caps in the mix.

Yes, I'll be fitting some chassis mounted fuse holders, or some of those C-13 type sockets with fuse built in to protect the heaters. I also slot the board under the SSR between the low voltage pins and AC pins as a safety feature too.

[Art]

[Scampy]

Just measured the resistance across the 10K pot on the EasyPic5 board. Between Vco and GND pins on the LCD connector I have 5.67K, with 3.12K between Vcc and Vco. I'll amend the schematic and put a 4.7K between GND and Vco

[Scampy]

OK - those ruddy gremlins must of been messing me about yesterday..

I disconnected the resistor on Vco and grounded the pin as it was in the original board design. Connected the LCD and powered up and got two lines of blocks which was something I never got previously and I had tried taking Vco both high and low !

Placed the PIC in the board and booted the board - bingo text displayed...

I'm at a loss as to why, what or how the thing failed to work previously - Oh the jpys of electronics !!!