Hello all. I am attempting to get a Vishay 020n004a lcd character display going. https://www.vishay.com/docs/37312/lcd020n004ab.pdf I've tried to use the initialization I found on their datasheet for a 016n001 display, I've tried a couple different versions I've found for the ST7066 controller, and I've tried the Hitachi initialization (I know it works since I've used Hitachi based ones before).

The datasheet claims it uses a ST7066 (or equivalent) so my question is does anyone know for sure what works to get this one going?

 

Hello all. I am attempting to get a Vishay 020n004a lcd character display going. https://www.vishay.com/docs/37312/lcd020n004ab.pdf I've tried to use the initialization I found on their datasheet for a 016n001 display, I've tried a couple different versions I've found for the ST7066 controller, and I've tried the Hitachi initialization (I know it works since I've used Hitachi based ones before).

The datasheet claims it uses a ST7066 (or equivalent) so my question is does anyone know for sure what works to get this one going?

The ST7066 is cross-compatible ithe the hitachi driver. It just has some extra capabilities.

The ST7066 has pin function compatibility with the HD44780, KS0066U and SED1278 that allows the user to easily replace it with an ST7066. ​

https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/LCD/st7066.pdf

 

If vushay says so, it must use a st7066, a Hitachi clone

A gazillion things could have gone wrong here. Without you helping others help you, no one can help you

 

Thanks Gopher. I checked it out again and still can't seem to get it to work. I'll be checking my connections again to make sure I have things wired up the way I think I do. I have to be missing something obvious!!

 

Can you post your code?

John

 

Yea, I've just been messing around with these. This got me going.

Also, there is a contrast pin, labeled Vo on my device. Tie this to ground through a 4k7 resistor or you wont see anything. I fell backwards when I realized it was working all along, I just couldn't see it !
Here's the full data sheet.

 

there is a contrast pin, la

The nice thing about those devices is that even when they are not working, they still give you clues as to why.

 

Here's another data sheet closer to my module.
My jump off point. These modules, whether they be in Cordless Phones, Video Players, or whatever, seem to have a pretty standard pin-out and programming algorithm, possibly because Hitachi are one of very few who make these controllers.

 

Thanks again all for the comments. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those things that if I leave it sit for a couple days and come back to it I'll see the problem. Sometimes I just need to take a break and everything falls into place.