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Table of Contents
LCD Shield Kit Tutorial
Product Description:
The LCD Shield Kit allows you to build a Digispark shield which connects a 16×2 I2C LCD display to the Digispark development board. It communicates with the Digispark over the I2C bus and allows the Digispark to output text and characters such as sensor reading and debugging information. The included I2C LCD is White on Blue and backlit.
This is an unassembled kit and requires basic soldering. This is designed for use with the Digispark development board, which is not included.
Parts:
| Part | Quantity | Identification |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Shield PCB | 1 | |
| 4.7K (4K7) Ohm 1/4W resistor 1% or 5% | 2 | Yellow - Violet - Red |
| 4 pin Female to Female 0.1“ pitch cable | 1 | |
| I2C LCD Module | 1 | |
| 1×4 pin male 0.1” pitch right angle header | 1 | |
| 1x40pin male 0.1“ pitch header | 9 pins worth | |
Resistor Values: For more information on how to identify the value of the resistors we recommend these sites: A nice simple resistor calculator: http://www.ealnet.com/m-eal/resistor/resistor.htm A comprehensive article on identification: http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Electronics/Color/
Soldering: If you are new to soldering we recommend the following tutorials: Soldering Basics (http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/106) and Soldering Crash Course from the folks at Sparkfun (http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/354). How to solder from the Curious Inventor: http://store.curiousinventor.com/guides/How_to_Solder
We assume for these assembly instructions that you know the basics of thru-hole soldering. If you don't check out the links above, these boards are very easy to solder - we promise!
Assembly:
NOTE: If you have a “Model B” board you may need to cut the trace to the onboard LED before using any I2C devices - Find out how to tell which board you have and what to do here: modelbi2c
Empty kit bag (or if using a raw PCB, aquire parts) and verify contents. Note for Kickstarter Backers and Pre-orders: Headers are not included in each kit bag, but the entire order came with more than enough headers for all kits.
Solder resistors one at a time. Solder the leads and clip off the excess. Repeat for all resistors.
Cut 4 pins worth of header off of the piece of male right angle header provided. Insert the 4 pin right angle header (on the top of the board) and solder each pin.
Cut a length of male headers 6 pins long and one 3 pins long. Insert into corresponding positions (on the bottom of the board) and solder each pin.
Tip: Inseting the headers into a breadboard and then placing the board on top can make this process easier.
Note: If you are using stackable headers, use them here instead of the standard male headers.
Connect the LCD module to the board using the included cable, ensure that the connection at the board match up with the connection at the LCD - the black wire should be connect to the ground pin on each of them.
Your LCD shield is complete!
Programming:
The pin connections are as follows:
Digispark P0 → SDA
Digispark P2 → SCL
The I2C Address is 0x27
Please refer to the LCD example in the Digispark LCD library included with the Digispark Arduino Addon.
Also see USB2LCD
Nothing appears on my LCD: When the Digispark powers up the LCD should light up right away and show some dark boxes on the top line for about 5 seconds - If it lights up but there are no dark boxes try adjusting the contrast - the blue box with phillips head thing on the back of the screen
After 5 seconds the boxes should disappear and say Digispark! (if using the BasicUsage LCD example) instead - if they aren't disappearing this could also be a contract issue - try adjusting it the other direction.
