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Old screen to new board
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:29 pm
by Jonj84
Hey.
So I finally started on my mintypi (version 1 type - red helders board), and totally ruined the pcb - lifted pads and bad soldering, all my own fault!
So I’ve gone back to the drawing board and got my hands on some practice boards as well as the version 2 of helders board (blue).
However the new board doesn’t have the ribbon connector on it, I knew this and was reliably told I could wire each of the 8 pins from the screen to the board. However, being the perfectionist I am, I would prefer to have the ribbon as it’s more aesthetically pleasing. Is this possible, ie. Can a connector for the ribbon be soldered to this board, and what type would I need (I’m UK based FYI)?
Thanks for any advice or tips in advance.
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:39 am
by Helder
I believe I told you this in the email when you bought the board, the pinout is NOT the same on the new board compared to the old board so how can the 10pin connector on the new board interface with an 8 pin connector on the old LCD board? and not to mention there are 2 additional connections on the new board that is NOT on the old board.
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:53 am
by Jonj84
Hey.
You mentioned in our conversation that the new boards can be used with the v1 lcd if a wire install is done.
I understand that one is 10 pin and the other is 8, but perhaps it’s my lack of knowledge that has confused the matter - if a wire install can be done, then why can a ribbon not be used?
I was under the impression that the 8 pins on the lcd would marry up with 8 of the 10 pins on the board. Is this not the case?
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:34 pm
by Helder
I explained it above and in the email the pinout of the 2 sockets are not the same nor are the ribbon sizes, I really don't know how better to explain this. A wire install works because you know what you're wiring to and it's compatible where the ribbon is hardwired one way and is different on another.
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:21 am
by Jonj84
Apologies. I guess it’s just not clear to a novice like me.
I will stick with the wires if this is the only way. As mentioned it’s not a problem, I’d have just preferred a ribbon to make it look neater!
As the designer of the boards, perhaps you could clarify one final thing? I note the lcd has a ‘VCC’ pin. But I cannot see this on the v2 board with the other 9 pins? As far I can tell the difference between these is that there is now an LED pin, and that the VCC one on the old board is now labelled as 3.3v?
Sorry if this is frustrating I just want to ensure I understand what I need to do before I start again!
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:03 pm
by Helder
Yes the 3.3v is connected to VCC on the LCD board, as I also mentioned just skip the LED pin entirely on the controller PCB and everything should work.
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 2:39 am
by Jonj84
Brilliant thanks for your help.
Out of curiousity what type of screen would be needed to attach to the new board. Clearly a 10pin one, but are there other specifics, or maybe there is another post about this?
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:06 am
by Helder
I get the feeling you know nothing about this and I don't know why you're pursuing this further as what you have on hand will do the job. All these screens are 18pins but on the red board I have VCC going to the LED pin on the LCD where as the 10 pin I have it separate so we can control the backlight.
Same screen (same size and pinout) just different wiring to the controller PCB everything else is the same so there isn't anything different besides the custom LCD board and Controller PCB that I changed to have these extra features (backlight).
I know you're trying to use that ribbon but you knew the setup before you bought it off of me and so you knew the ribbon was not a choice since you don't have the LCD board to match that ribbon so why are you still pursuing this?
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:43 am
by Jonj84
With all due respect I have said I am a novice. So these things perhaps aren’t as obvious to me as they are to you.
I didn’t realise that the screen and the pin out were the same.
I think it’s safe to say that i’ve accepted that the ribbon can’t be used, my initial question was whether one could be fitted but if wires are all that can be used then that’s ok, it was never and actual problem.
I guess my point re a new screen wasn’t clear. I was trying to understand how - as I have this new board - I could wire a screen to it to use all the new functions you designed (back light etc). My assumption was that perhaps a new screen was needed, could the old screen be used with the new functions or would I need a new lcd pcb? You previously mentioned not to wire to the led pad, so perhaps I cannot use this screen or pcb?
I’m sorry if my questions seem stupid, I was hoping a post on this forum would provide some help and clarity to someone such as me who has little experience. I’ve no problems following the guide etc online, but I’ve gone a little of piste with the project and so wanted some direction or understanding of what could or couldn’t be achieved before I begin again.
Re: Old screen to new board
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:31 am
by Helder
Jonj84 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:43 am
With all due respect I have said I am a novice. So these things perhaps aren’t as obvious to me as they are to you.
I didn’t realise that the screen and the pin out were the same.
I think it’s safe to say that i’ve accepted that the ribbon can’t be used, my initial question was whether one could be fitted but if wires are all that can be used then that’s ok, it was never and actual problem.
I guess my point re a new screen wasn’t clear. I was trying to understand how - as I have this new board - I could wire a screen to it to use all the new functions you designed (back light etc). My assumption was that perhaps a new screen was needed, could the old screen be used with the new functions or would I need a new lcd pcb? You previously mentioned not to wire to the led pad, so perhaps I cannot use this screen or pcb?
I’m sorry if my questions seem stupid, I was hoping a post on this forum would provide some help and clarity to someone such as me who has little experience. I’ve no problems following the guide etc online, but I’ve gone a little of piste with the project and so wanted some direction or understanding of what could or couldn’t be achieved before I begin again.
Everything works the exact same EXCEPT you can't control the backlight which isn't that critical to have anyways, everything else works like the new board since the only change is the backlight control for the LCD board.