LCD Instrumentation for Cougar Controller

[E Vdubya]

Thanks Freyguy for posting everything. My parts should be arriving any day and the boards sometime soon. Can't wait.

[sawickm]

Originally Posted by Freyguy

Once the Wiki is fixed, the files will be placed there.

The wiki was fixed last night by SVOboy and is fully operational again. I will be adding those CougarLCD files to the ReVolt wiki, should have free time to do it this weekend.

-Mark

[wakinyantanka]

Does anyone know if we have to use the 16x2 display or can we go a little bigger? I'd like to go up to the 20x4 because color options greater and it will be easier to see.

[Freyguy]

Originally Posted by wakinyantanka

Does anyone know if we have to use the 16x2 display or can we go a little bigger? I'd like to go up to the 20x4 because color options greater and it will be easier to see.

First it must use a Hitachi HD44780 compatible controller (99% probability)
After that, understand that a 20 character display would have the 4 rightmost character locations blank unless you alter the code to either center the data or add another usable field. As for the number of lines, the hardware only provides 1 enable line which would support 2 of the 4 displayed lines (top 2 or bottom 2, not center 2).
Finally, the board mating headers will most likely not line up between this display and cougar lcd controller. You could always discretely wire it though.

Yep, there are some cool looking LCD displays, especially with the inverted character color! i.e. Blue on black background.
CFAH2002Y-PDI-ET, Parallel Character LCD 20x2, RoHS Compliant, Blue LED Backlight, FFSTN N

[E Vdubya]

EIO was out of stock and canceled my order for the display. I found another one here.

16x2 Blue HD44780 LCD

I got blue to match the stereo unit.

John

[Freyguy]

Sorry to hear EIO was out. Your replacement looks a bit smaller- 66mm x 16mm vs 99mm x 24mm viewing area. You can't directly mount the cougar lcd to the display either since mounting holes won't line up. Just need to get creative!

I'll look for an alternate or second source for the original display for folks that would like to stick with that.

[Freyguy]

I managed to find 4 replacements that have the same large font and dimensions so should mount to LCD controller board directly.

CFAH1602L-YYH-JT, Parallel Character LCD 16x2, RoHS, Y/G LED Backlight, STN Positive, Y/G,

This one is blue characters on white background-
CFAH1602L-TGH-JT, Parallel Character LCD 16x2, RoHS, White Edge LED Backlight, STN Positiv

These two are half the cost of the first two-
Large Font 16x2 HD44780 LCD

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/sto...0001_658988_-1

[harlequin2]

email from PCBCART to say boards being shipped today. Should be in my mailbox mid- next week.

[sawickm]

All the CougarLCD files have been added to the ReVolt wiki.

Open ReVolt/PCB Schematics - EcoModder

-Mark

[harlequin2]

pcbs just arrived. They look OK but sadly they only printed the SS on the bottom side, the one with hardly anything on it! Makes it a little harder to assemble, but if you print out the component overlay and use it as a guide, it won't be too bad. If I can do it, anyone can!
I'll pack up those that have been ordered and send 'em off today. I think there are still a couple left if anyone else wants one.

My displays (2) arrived yesterday, but the parts haven't arrived from Mouser yet so I can't do much assembly. Nor can I send a micro to those that wanted one.