Serial 16x2 LCD Board - Assembly Instructions
Use the following photo as a reference as you assemble the LCD-16x2.
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Parts List (All parts are available at JRHackett.net)
| Label | Description | R1 | Resistor, 100k, 1/4 Watt |
| R2-R7 | Resistor, 4.7k, 1/4 Watt |
| R8 | * See Text |
| Program Adapter | 4-Pin Rt-Angle Female Header |
| Breadboard Connector | 5-Pin Rt-Angle Female Header |
| Baud | 3-Pin Rt-Angle Male Header |
| C1 | Capacitor, .01 uF Ceramic |
| IC1 | 14-pin IC Socket for PICAXE-14M |
| R9 | Potentiometer, 10k |
| None | 16-Pin Straight Female Header |
| None | Shorting Jumper, 2-pin |
| Optional | 5x2 Straight Male Header (for Ribbon Cable) |
| Optional | two 2-pin Rt Angle Male Headers (for additional baord support |
Assembly Instructions
The LCD-16x2 PC board is very easy to assemble. As usual, it's best to proceed from the smallest to the largest parts. The order of the parts in the Parts List is arranged this way, so just work your way from the top of the Parts List to the bottom. The only exception to this order is the optional 5x2 straight male header for a ribbon cable connection if desired. Since this header is inserted from the bottom of the LCD-08x2 board and soldered on the top, it's best to leave it until last. That way, the bottom of the board can be more easily cleaned before soldering the 5x2 connector (if you are using one).
When you have installed all the parts in the Parts List (except for the 5x2 header), cut a piece of jumper wire, remove its insulation, fit it tightly over the Breadboard Connector and down through the two holes on each side. Hold it tightly in place with a small clamp and solder the ends to the bottom of the board. This wire has no electrical function; it simply protects the Breadboard Connector from the stress of multiple insertions and extractions.
When you have soldered everything in place (except the 5x2 header), make sure all the excess leads have been clipped from the bottom of the board. At this point you may want to rub the bottom of the board a few times on a piece of emery-type sandpaper to remove any sharp edges. You can use flux remover and a tooth brush to clean the bottom of the board, but I have found that ordinary isopropyl alcohol works just as well for this purpose and it's easier on your hands. Once you have cleaned the bottom of the board, you can install the 5x2 header if you want one.
To test the completed LCD-16x2 board you will need the UPA-4x4 programming adapter or a stripboard equivalent. If you have been following the PICAXE Primer column in Nuts & Volts magazine, you probably already have a suitable adapter - just make sure the pinout matches that of the adapter on the LCD-16x2 board. The following photo (taken from behind the LCD assembly) shows th UPA-4x4 inserted in the LCD-16x2 Programming Adapter connector. The painted dots on the UPA-4x4 are a simple mnemonic color-coding scheme I use to know which pin is which [Ground = Black, Sin = Green (because it's "in" to be Green) and Sout = Yellow (because you "yell" out). You can laugh if you want, but it works for me! :-)
A suitable test program (LCDtest.bas) is available in the "Projects" section at the top of this page. When you are sure the LCD-16x2 is working properly, you may want to reprogram it with the LCDdriver.bas program (also in the "Projects" section). Be sure to read all the program comments so you understand the required format of the data to be sent to the LCD-16x2. The third program in the LCD project area (SeroutToLCD.bas) is an example of sending data from a 28X1 processor to the LCD-16x2. It can be easily modified if you want to use it with a different PICAXE processor.
If you have any problems getting your LCD-16x2 to function properly, email me at Ron@JRHackett.net and I will do what I can to help.