i'm going crazy..

cotwild · 02-18-2004, 10:22 AM

hello..

since last sunday i got a samtron UC-404-01 GLAT 4x40 LCD with backlight.
now i'm want to connect it to parallel-port and yes.. i've searched before and found a lot of diagram's how to connect HD44780 compatible devices..

but it doesn't work..

i took display from an old printing machine and if i connect it to this machine, first and third line is black.. ok, seems to be initialisation of the display!
(i already removed keyboard, i think that's the reason why machine doesn't start)

now i had a look at the diagrams and they said:
pin 1 = ground
pin 2 = VCC (+5V)
pin 3 = contrast (if you don't have a poti you can tie it down to ground)

if i only connect these 3 lines, shouldn't it initialise? but it doesn't show anything.. i removed cable fast, because the chip was going hot!!

(but it still does initialize if i connnect it like it was before on machine.. then i think it's still working.. or should!)

i'd like to use LCD Smartie (http://backupteam.gamepoint.net/smartie/), but if i connect it like shown on diagram (see below) it doesn't work.. PLEASE HELP!

Marsupial · 02-18-2004, 11:22 AM

are you certain the unit is HD44780 compatible.

I used a few different of those, and they always show "self-test blocks" when powering.

make sure not to mix any of those 3 lines.

if you do not have self-test style blocks then, the unit is either broken or non-standard.

maybe you plugged it in pins 14-15-16 instead of 1-2-3??

cotwild · 02-18-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Marsupial

are you certain the unit is HD44780 compatible.

i'm almost sure.. i was written on several pages!

Quote: Originally Posted by Marsupial

I used a few different of those, and they always show "self-test blocks" when powering.

make sure not to mix any of those 3 lines.

i tied down pin 3 to ground (contrast), pin 1 is also connected to ground..

Quote: Originally Posted by Marsupial

if you do not have self-test style blocks then, the unit is either broken or non-standard.

strange.. self-test blocks are shown if i connect it to this print device where it's from.. but only if i connect more than this 3 "power" pins..

Quote: Originally Posted by Marsupial

maybe you plugged it in pins 14-15-16 instead of 1-2-3??

no.. i tested both.. i don't know even what to do...

cotwild · 02-18-2004, 01:03 PM

(http://www.eio.com/scotted.htm) Almost all alphanumeric displays are based on the Hitachi HD44780 or equivalent (e.g., Samtron KS0066)...

it's compatible! i'll try to wire it new.. but don't think it would change something!

cotwild · 02-19-2004, 01:42 AM

yesterday i wired it new (exactly like on pic above) but nothing appeard.. i think it's broken..

does anybody have a 4x40 lcd with backlight with no need for it?

thx for you help..

Marsupial · 02-19-2004, 10:58 AM

I am trying myself to get a 4*40 vfd, but have a few 4*20 LCD experiences...

normally you can see the blocks. Maybe you device is extended temperature range and needs a -5V instead of just 5V and ground??

Sometimes they are not fully HD44780 compatible, in that they have the wrong pinout. I'll try to find datasheets on your model, and give a look.

Blop · 02-19-2004, 11:19 AM

look for lcd smartie...its an app but has shed loads of good info on that lcd.....good wiring diagrams.

Plus its just all u need no bloat.
http://backupteam.gamepoint.net/smartie/

Der Me!$ter · 02-19-2004, 11:32 AM

Have you installed the port95 driver? It is needed for the computer to communicate with the display. You can get it here: http://www.jalcds.de/details.php?id=1020622088. Hope that helps.

oddcomp · 02-19-2004, 11:41 AM

hey cotwild if you no longer want it an think its broken i'll take it to toy with

Sh0cker · 02-19-2004, 11:52 AM

Listen to those guys,

Quote: Originally Posted by Blop

look for lcd smartie...its an app but has shed loads of good info on that lcd

Quote: Originally Posted by Der Me!$ter

Have you installed the port95 driver? It is needed for the computer to communicate with the display.

Ive installed lcd and as long as i remember right i used same wiring diagram; be careful and dont solder those pins upside-down, on the pic is a printer port NOT the plug.

BTW: if you power up everything, does the backlight lights up, or no sign of working lcd?

Marsupial · 02-19-2004, 12:33 PM

according to
http://www.zworld.com/documentation/...00/OP6000D.PDF
your LCD is a character LCD. Hence the lot of compatible LCDs for that device, it should be a HD44780 one, but I still have no proofs.

Pretending the unit is a HD44780, we should have connection.

Are you sure you are applying 5V and not 12 to the unit??

try connecting the backlight, when we have light, then connect pins 1-2-3
Backlight is located within pins 15-16 OR directly on the anode/cathode if you have only a 14 pin connector out of the LCD.

if you still have no test blocks, I say you get refund, its probably not working. Particularly when you say its heating when you connect it correctly - something is wrong.

if you want others, there are some at eio, bgmicro or ebay.
I am myself looking at a VFD for putting in my car - bigger temperature range then most LCDs...

cotwild · 02-19-2004, 01:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Der Me!$ter

Have you installed the port95 driver? It is needed for the computer to communicate with the display. You can get it here: http://www.jalcds.de/details.php?id=1020622088. Hope that helps.

yes i installed port95 driver..

cotwild · 02-19-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Marsupial

according to
http://www.zworld.com/documentation/...00/OP6000D.PDF
your LCD is a character LCD. Hence the lot of compatible LCDs for that device, it should be a HD44780 one, but I still have no proofs.

Pretending the unit is a HD44780, we should have connection.

Are you sure you are applying 5V and not 12 to the unit??

try connecting the backlight, when we have light, then connect pins 1-2-3
Backlight is located within pins 15-16 OR directly on the anode/cathode if you have only a 14 pin connector out of the LCD.

if you still have no test blocks, I say you get refund, its probably not working. Particularly when you say its heating when you connect it correctly - something is wrong.

if you want others, there are some at eio, bgmicro or ebay.
I am myself looking at a VFD for putting in my car - bigger temperature range then most LCDs...

it's strange.. its a 16pin lcd, but backlight has an extra plug which is connected to pin 2 and 15!! it uses +5V.. i checked on machine where it was working! backlight works.. (but this doesn't mean that lcd isn't broken)

i think it's broken.. but if its broken, is it still possible to show blocks 1 & 3 if i connect it to this port on machine where it was from?

there's an KS0066F00 controller on board.. i heard it's compatible with hd44780!?

exact model: SAMTRON UC-404-01-GLAT 4x40 char backlight