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Using an LCD — SIK Circuit 15
Ed

Yaremwe na

Ed

17. Werurwe 2026FI
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Using an LCD — SIK Circuit 15

Display text on a 16x2 character LCD. Learn about the LiquidCrystal library, HD44780 displays, cursor positioning, and creating a real-time seconds counter.

Amabwiriza

1

Parts & Introduction

A 16x2 character LCD can display 2 rows of 16 characters each. Using Arduino's LiquidCrystal library, you can display text, numbers, and custom characters. This is the HD44780 standard used by most character LCDs.

Parts Needed

  • 1x Arduino Uno + USB cable
  • 1x Breadboard
  • 1x 16x2 Character LCD
  • 1x Potentiometer (for contrast adjustment)
  • 16x Jumper Wires

Materials for this step:

SparkFun Inventors Kit - V3.2SparkFun Inventors Kit - V3.21 kit
Arduino Uno R31 piece
Breadboard1 piece
16x2 Character LCD16x2 Character LCD1 piece
Potentiometer (10K)1 piece
Jumper WiresJumper Wires16 pieces

Tools needed:

Computer with Arduino IDE
2

Hardware Hookup

Wiring Instructions

The LCD has 16 pins. Pin 1 is closest to the corner of the board.

LCD PinConnection
1GND
25V
3Potentiometer wiper (contrast)
4Arduino Pin 12 (RS)
5GND (R/W)
6Arduino Pin 11 (Enable)
7-10Not connected
11Arduino Pin 5 (D4)
12Arduino Pin 4 (D5)
13Arduino Pin 3 (D6)
14Arduino Pin 2 (D7)
155V (backlight +)
16GND (backlight -)

Connect the potentiometer: one side to 5V, other to GND, center pin to LCD pin 3 for contrast adjustment.

Materials for this step:

16x2 Character LCD16x2 Character LCD1 piece
Potentiometer (10K)1 piece
Breadboard1 piece
Jumper WiresJumper Wires16 pieces
3

Arduino Code

Open the Arduino IDE and upload the following sketch to your Arduino board.

lcd_display.inoarduino
/*
SparkFun Inventor's Kit
Example sketch 15 — LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD)

Display "hello, world!" and a seconds counter on a 16x2 LCD.

Hardware connections:
  LCD pin 1 to GND, pin 2 to 5V
  LCD pin 3 to potentiometer center (contrast)
  LCD pin 4 to Arduino pin 12 (RS)
  LCD pin 5 to GND (R/W)
  LCD pin 6 to Arduino pin 11 (Enable)
  LCD pins 11-14 to Arduino pins 5,4,3,2
  LCD pin 15 to 5V, pin 16 to GND

This code is completely free for any use.
*/

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

void setup()
{
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.print("hello, world!");
}

void loop()
{
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print(millis() / 1000);
}

Materials for this step:

Arduino Uno R31 piece

Tools needed:

Computer with Arduino IDE
4

Test & Experiment

What You Should See

"hello, world!" appears on the first line of the LCD. The second line shows a running counter of seconds since power-on. You may need to twist the potentiometer to adjust contrast until text is visible.

Troubleshooting

  • Screen blank or solid blocks: Adjust the potentiometer until you see text. The contrast range is narrow.
  • Nothing at all: Verify the LiquidCrystal library is included and all 16 wires are connected correctly.
  • Flickering: Check breadboard connections — loose wires cause display glitches.

Experiments to Try

  • Display the temperature sensor reading (from Circuit 7) on the LCD instead of the Serial Monitor.
  • Use lcd.setCursor(col, row) to place text at specific positions.
  • Create custom characters with lcd.createChar() for icons and symbols.
  • Display messages from serial input — type on your computer, see it on the LCD.

Ibikoresho

6

Ibikoresho bikenewe

1
  • 13
    Computer with Arduino IDE
Estimated Total
$199.00

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