Hello,

I am building a post-oncology treatment question datalogger that requires a 20 x 4 LCD as it has to be large enough to ask the questions.

I ordered a BATRON BTHQ 42005VSS-FSTF-06-LEDWhite LCD (datasheet at http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/31779.pdf) LCD module but I can't get it to work with any LCD code we currently have in our department. I have tried it with a number of different LCD routines off the net but I can't even get the display to initialise or write anything to the LCD.

When I ordered it a sales guy at Farnell assured me it would be compatible with LM016L/LM018L LCD module code, which I have used before in projects.

I have the feeling I am missing something very fundamental here, have I bought the wrong type of LCD? or does anyone know where it is possible to download LCD header files/routines for this type of LCD?

Any help at all or a basic tutorial on how LCD modules interact with PICs (cause I am still not totally clear) would be much appreciated!

Cheers

 

The link to the PDF you posted did not work.
Found the part on Farnell UK's site:
http://uk.farnell.com/batron/bthq42005vss-fstf-led-white/lcd-module-alphanumeric-20x4/dp/9448969
Once that page is loaded, the datasheet (same URL) can be accessed by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.

The LCD controller is a Samsung KS0066 or equivalent.
I don't know offhand if it is HD44780 compatible, but this thread:
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=18206
claims that the KS0066 is a clone of the HD44780 controller. Numerous other source found via a Google search support that statement.

You might have a look at this PDF:
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/lcd1.pdf
It shows how to test a HD44780-type LCD display without a uC.

A couple of things that will bite you:
1) Not sending the proper "wake up" series, paying attention to timing.
2) 8 bit vs 4 bit mode.

Do a Google search for 44780 tutorial.

 

Thanks for the reply! I think have got my head around it a bit more now. I found a driver that worked really well at http://www.ccsinfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28268. cheers