Character LCD Shield Module With LCD***2 -Arduino Compatible

LCD backpacks reduce the number of pins needed to connect to an LCD. LCDs are a fun and easy way to have your microcontroller project talk back to you. Character LCDs are common, and easy to get, available in tons of colors and sizes. (or similar microcontroller) but find that the number of pins necessary to control the LCD can be restrictive, especially with ambitious projects. We wanted to make a 'backpack' (add-on circuit) that would reduce the number of pins without a lot of expense.

By using simple I2c and SPI /output expanders we have reduced the number of pins (only 2 pins are needed for I2c) while still making it easy to interface with the LCD. For Arduino users, we provide a easy-to-use library that is backwards compatible with projects using the '6 pin' wiring.

This backpack will work with any 'standard' character LCD, from 8X1 to *0X4 sizes! As long as they have a **-pin single-line connection header at the top. We carry a few LCDs that work great.

For advanced users, this project can be used for general purpose I/O expansion, the MCP****8 has 8 I/o pins (7 are connected) with optional pull-UPS, the SPI *4HC**5 has 7 connected outputs.

LCDs are a fun and easy way to have your microcontroller project talk back to you. Character LCDs are common, and easy to get, available in tons of colors and sizes. We've written tutorials on using character LCDs with an Arduino (or similar microcontroller) but find that the number of pins necessary to control the LCD can be restrictive, especially with ambitious projects. We wanted to make a 'backpack' (add-on circuit) that would reduce the number of pins without a lot of expense.
By using simple I2c and SPI /output expanders we have reduced the number of pins (only 2 pins are needed for I2c) while still making it easy to interface with the LCD. For Arduino users, we provide a easy-to-use library that is backwards compatible with projects using the '6 pin' wiring.

For advanced users, this project can be used for general purpose I/O expansion, the MCP****8 has 8 I/o pins (7 are connected) with optional pullups, the SPI *4HC**5 has 7 outputs.

Which LCD to use:

This backpack will work with any 'standard'/'classic' character LCD. It does not work with graphic LCDs. Character LCDs come in sizes ranging from 8X1 (8 characters, one line) to *0X4 (*0 characters, four lines). The backpack will also only fit LCDs that have a single line of pins at the top, not the ones that have a 2X*0 or 2X8 connector on the side. Those are much rarer these days but just keep a look out for that!

Assembly:

Putting together the backpack onto an LCD is a quick process, and should take only a few minutes with a soldering iron.

Parts check:

Verify you have everything in the bag, there should be an assembled and tested PCB, a *-pin and *-pin 3.5mm terminal block. The backpack does not come with header or an LCD.

Terminal blocks:

The terminal blocks allow you to easily attach and remove the LCD from your wiring, which we think is awfully handy. If you dont want the terminal blocks (they stick out a bit) you can always skip this step.

The terminal blocks come in 2 and *-pin pieces. Slide them together.

Place the blocks over the corner area of the backpack so that the holes stick out (unless for some reason you want them to face the other way)

Solder them into place

Attach LCD:

Now we will attach the backpack. We will show how to do this in a permanent fashion. If you think you would like to remove and replace the LCD at some time, you can use a piece of **-pin long 0.1" female header as a socket but be aware it will stick out a lot.
There are two options, you can tuck the backpack behind the LCD