Hi All. I have a few questions regarding 16x2 LCD displays:
My project currently has a display that I'd need to swap out. It is a 16 character 2-line display. The first picture shows a typical pin out for currently commonly available 16x2 LCD's. The second image shows my existing LCD and the pin-labels.
(1st question) I see replacement boards seem to all have the same pinouts. Mine has an extra pin someplace. On you pic, you can see it labeled as XR. Anyone know what this pin is for? The replacement LCD's don't seem to have this extra XR pin. Do you think I can just leave this wire not connected? Since it's there and wired into the circuit, I'm sure it's there for a reason. Incidentally -- ignore the 3 wires on the right. Those go to the IR detector/sensor which replacement LCD's don't have.
(2nd question) Can larger (such as 20x2 or 24x4) LCD's be installed? I see the pinouts are the same regardless of how many characters per line. Will the display just do less scrolling?
(3rd question) The 6th pin from the right. Anyone want to guess what that pin is for? I'm guessing the 3 pins on the far right in the block are for the IR. The second long block starting with VCC I presume is for the LCD connection. But then if you count the labels and the pins, there's an extra unmarked pin someplace. What's your best guess guys insofar as the pin labeling?
(4th and last question) I am interested in installing a VFD display in it's place. However those all seem to use a serial bus instead of the LCD interface. Does anyone know of an off the shelf interface or a solution to make this swap possible. I prefer the VFD due to looks and better readability.
My project currently has a display that I'd need to swap out. It is a 16 character 2-line display. The first picture shows a typical pin out for currently commonly available 16x2 LCD's. The second image shows my existing LCD and the pin-labels.
(1st question) I see replacement boards seem to all have the same pinouts. Mine has an extra pin someplace. On you pic, you can see it labeled as XR. Anyone know what this pin is for? The replacement LCD's don't seem to have this extra XR pin. Do you think I can just leave this wire not connected? Since it's there and wired into the circuit, I'm sure it's there for a reason. Incidentally -- ignore the 3 wires on the right. Those go to the IR detector/sensor which replacement LCD's don't have.
(2nd question) Can larger (such as 20x2 or 24x4) LCD's be installed? I see the pinouts are the same regardless of how many characters per line. Will the display just do less scrolling?
(3rd question) The 6th pin from the right. Anyone want to guess what that pin is for? I'm guessing the 3 pins on the far right in the block are for the IR. The second long block starting with VCC I presume is for the LCD connection. But then if you count the labels and the pins, there's an extra unmarked pin someplace. What's your best guess guys insofar as the pin labeling?
(4th and last question) I am interested in installing a VFD display in it's place. However those all seem to use a serial bus instead of the LCD interface. Does anyone know of an off the shelf interface or a solution to make this swap possible. I prefer the VFD due to looks and better readability.
Last edited: