MobiFlight Community Support

Hi Guys
I am trying to set up a 16x2 LCD display with a LC2 back pack to eventually show date and time for my C172 FSX plane
I have version 7.5 of MobiFlight but cannot get the display to show any thing
When I add the device its Address is 0x27 which I think is correct for One display
Columns 16 Lines 2
Upload all look OK
Have been following the video by ec-cts on you tube using the settings that he used but cannot get anything on the display.
Have tried in test mode but no luck
Do I have to download different firmware to my card first?
Any help would be appreciated
Ian

Hi Ian.
At first check this https://www.mobiflight.com/forum/topic/838.html Use Google Translator if needed.

Troubleshooting:

1. Does your LCD is lighted if Arduino get Power ?
If not check your electrical Setup

2.Does while connecting (powering) the MEGA the LCD show "Mobiflight Rocks" ?
If Not but it is illuminated correct then check the "brightness" screw in back of display. If it in wrong end position then the text is not shown in case of wrong setting of this selector.

3. Does it not show "Mobiflight Rocks" whatever you change the brightness ?
then check if your IC2 Adress is correct. Google for Datasheet of your Display/IC2 Pack OR Use the Arduino sketch stephan recommend to find out the correct adress.

4. If your Display now work correct and show "Mobiflight Rocks" then all should be fine.
If there is a Problem from now then its in your Configs !

Please report if this helps....

Hi pizman82
Thank you for your quick reply
to answer the troubleshooting quiestions
1. Yes LCD lights when Arduino has Power
2.No it does not show "Mobiflight Rocks" on connection I have adjusted the screw but still nothing displayed
3.No
4. Is there an english page that I can find the Arduino Sketch that stephan recommend to find out the correct adress.?
I will get Use Google Translator and try
Ian

Hi again.

Sorry i not found the link from Stephan..... But i did a simple google search for "IC2 Scanner"

this was the first hit.... I Not test it out but it looks good. https://playground.arduino.cc/Main/I2cScanner

NOTE: If you use this sketch then Mobiflight Firmware is gone..... You should do the test with a other Mega or Uno ! If you just got one Board you have to flash the Firmware again after using this testing sketch !

I have tried and tried but still cannot get the LCD to show "Mobiflight rocks"
I have tried with a Uno card and a Mega card both new and with nothing else configured on them
Also with a 16x2 and 20x4 display but cannot get them to go.
Adjusted the pot on the back to change the brightness
Followed the You tube clip by Carlos and the link as suggested above. I would none if these would be relivant unless I can get the LCD recognized
Any more suggestion any one
Ian

Check the i2c controller chip. For example , my is pcf8574t. Then search for how to set their address. There are jumpers to solder to set each individual address. They have to be different for each LCD. Use the correct address for corresponding LCD setting in MF. Or just solder different jumper for each LCD and use i2c scanner to find the right address. Here the picture for address of pcf8574t and pcf8574at.

Sorry . Here the pict.

Also make sure sda and scl pins connect properly to sda and scl of mega 2560. And adjust the contrast til you see 16x2 squares clearly.

Hi

Please also get sure you have no other issue on your Baord.

At first NOT use the UNO ( Not longer supported.... I´m not sure if a UNO basicly support the firmware for LCD Displays finaly)

So Take your MEGA .... Delete all Settings ( EEPROM CLEAR SKETCH)
Set it to USB and run Mobiflight.... ( No other Megas in System.... No FSX Running. Simply use this single MEGA at the moment.)

Then Mobiflight will flash firmware.... Do That. And when finished please Close Mobiflight.... Reset Mega ( Disconnect for maby 10 secconds from USB ) and reconncet.

Now Start Mobiflight again.... And Create New Device ( LCD Display with the specifications from Above you still find out)
Upload this and wait for success Report.
For savty reason again RESTART Board and Mobiflight.
If all is done correctly then NOW "Mobiflight Rocks" must be shown when you power your Mega !

Hi thatchi
thanks for your help and advice
I am only trying to get one LCD going to show "Mobiflight Rocks"
Only trying now with Mega card and following pizman82 advice and procedures as above
But still no luck hence the late reply
I am about to give up but have ordered another LCD with i2c on the back and will try this
I have noticed that the 16x2 display I have only displays one line of 16 squares so maybe it is faulty?/
Any more ideas any one
Ian

Well I have Finley got the 16x2 display working "Mobiflight Rocks"
I had the wrong IC2 address for the chop on the board
PCF8574AT chip ( don't forget the A when looking for the address) = 0x0F
Problem now I have scaned with the IC2 scanner my 20x4 LCD and get address 0x27
I have followed the procedure as outlined by pizman82 but I cannot get this to show
Only have one mega plugged in and have run the Eprom clear sketch but no luck
I am sure it is possable to run a 20x4 LCD is this correct
Ian

Hi Ian,

to check that your hardware is ok, try a sketch to test Arduino and LCD like this:

https://draeger-it.blog/arduino-lektion-24-lcd-4x20-modul-iic-i2c/

If this works, try it again with mobiflight. Connect it like a 16x2. If the address is 0x27 you shouldn't run into trouble.
When using a MEGA take the pins 20 (SDA) and 21 (SCL).

Hi guys.
I bought a 128X64 lcd display but I have the following problem. I have connected the LCD with I2C expander (MCP23017). I found that the address of this particular I2C is 0X20. When I run mobiflight the LCD screen lights up normally but the message "Mobiflight Rocks" does not appear whatever address I put in the upload. Does anyone have an opinion on this? The lcd display I bought has a label on the back that says. LCD / LED 5V. Thank you (I used google translate)
Jim

Hi JIm,

your display won't work because it is pixel oriented.
You need a LCD that is line and character oriented i.e. 4 lines with 20 characters.
These line/character LCDs have the standard ASCII character set built in and can so be controlled by MF.
The pixel oriented LCDs can this only if the microcontroller has a library with the character set that has to be loaded within the running sketch.

ΟΚ. Thank you very much.