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LCD not working with StampWorks tutorial — Parallax Forums

LCD not working with StampWorks tutorial

CWBCWB Posts: 2
edited 2007-02-21 03:53 in BASIC Stamp
I'm hoping for some help.

I'm a beginner and I've been having fun learning how to use the BASIC Stamp BS2 and the Professional Development Board. I've had success with all the experiments up until this one - Experiment 11, Basic LCD Demonstration.

Basically the LCD is not doing anything. The LCD came with the StampWorks experiment kit and is a 2x16 display (Parallel LCD module, Parallax stock code # 603-00006).

I've connected the LCD to the PDB with the 14-pin IDC connector as instructed, and also have the wiring connected to the correct pins as described in the StamWorks manual. I run the program [url=mailto:SW@!-EX11-LCD_Demo.BS2]SW21-EX11-LCD_Demo.BS2[/url]·and it seems to download to the BS2, but then nothing happens. The LCD doesn't turn on.

Can anyone offer any suggestions before I just call up parallax and ask for a new LCD?

Everything else has been working great...LEDs, speaker, potentiometer, etc.

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

  • PARPAR Posts: 285
    edited 2007-02-20 07:39
    CWB said...
    I'm hoping for some help.

    ...·learning how to use the BASIC Stamp BS2 and the Professional Development Board. I've had success with all the experiments up until this one - Experiment 11, Basic LCD Demonstration.

    Basically the LCD is not doing anything. The LCD came with the StampWorks experiment kit and is a 2x16 display (Parallel LCD module, Parallax stock code # 603-00006).

    I've connected the LCD to the PDB with the 14-pin IDC connector as instructed, and also have the wiring connected to the correct pins as described in the StamWorks manual. I run the program [url=mailto:SW@!-EX11-LCD_Demo.BS2]SW21-EX11-LCD_Demo.BS2[/url]·and it seems to download to the BS2, but then nothing happens. The LCD doesn't turn on.
    ...
    You might try two things for starters...

    1. Make sure you add directives at the top of the program indicating which Stamp (BS2 ?), and which PBasic (version 2.5 ?)·you are using. Pull down the "Directives" menu to select the correct choices.

    2. Add a DEBUG statement to the beginning of the program (i.e., before the "Main" section of the program code. Have it write out that the "program is beginning the Main loop."

    See what happens. Did you cut/paste in the program from the manual, download it from Parallax, or did you manually type it in, copying from the manual? If steps 1 and 2 don't resolve the problem, then verify the correctness (copy) of the program. Let us know.

    PAR
  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2007-02-20 07:59
    Chris -

    I'm not familiar with that particular LCD, but many LCD's have a contrast knob. Turn the contrast knob to make sure that's not the problem.

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates

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  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-02-20 15:34
    The contrast knob in this case is on the PDB. So you can make that adjustment there. Also be sure that the wires are in the correct holes on the PDB LCD connector. Unlike all other connectors, the LCD connector actually has two sets of holes that are different. That is, they are not duplicated like other connectors. You need to be in the correct holes as per the diagram. Finally, there are about 6 or 7 connections for the LCD, so make sure they all go to the correct places, including the correct I/O pins. Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • CWBCWB Posts: 2
    edited 2007-02-21 03:53
    Thanks for your replies.

    It turned out to be the contrast knob. I had tried this before but it didn't seem to help. But tonight I tried it again and now it works, but only when turned all the way clockwise. Interesting that the screen is blank at all·other knob·positions.

    Thanks again,
    Chris
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