Hello,
I was wondering what you guys use for a trimmer pot for an adjustable Contrast on the 16x2 LCD useing the hitachi HD44780 chipset. I have been told a 50k should be used does this sound right? Also i have tried to search for cheap trimmer pots on digikey but cannot find anything that is not expensive, i want to keep the cost down to .15cents/per if possible. anyone have any recommendations?
Thank you!

 

10k is a good size.
Here:
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/EVN-D8AA03B14/D4AA14-ND/11094
You can get them for $0.10/ea, just buy 25,000 of them.

Mouser has these for $0.18/ea if you buy 1:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMsl2q/phOiXBLJa8nbm6cqPseoMDFB32NI=

Here's an E-bay auction; 50 for $6.59 w/free shipping - that's about $0.132/ea:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50x-Variabl...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5d3a579f#ht_2928wt_951

Here's 100 for $11.50:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100x-3296-W...ultDomain_0&hash=item19cc225584#ht_3500wt_904

 

I just use a fixed 1K resistor to GND and leave it at that.

 

I just use a fixed 1K resistor to GND and leave it at that.

Yes but i could use these for other things as well and would rather just have an adjustable contrast,incase. just for the heck of it.
Thanks SGT for the links it really helped and those fit within the cost description