{"product_id":"adafruit-i2c-spi-character-lcd-backpack","title":"Adafruit I2C \/ SPI character LCD backpack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLCD backpacks reduce the number of pins needed to connect to an LCD. LCDs are a fun and easy way to have your microcontroller project talk back to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCharacter LCDs are common, and easy to get, available in tons of colors and sizes. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/learn.adafruit.com\/character-lcds\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAdafruit have written tutorials on using character LCDs with an Arduino\u003c\/a\u003e (or similar microcontroller) but find that the number of pins necessary to control the LCD can be restrictive, especially with ambitious projects. They wanted to make a 'backpack' (add-on circuit) that would reduce the number of pins without a lot of expense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy using simple I2C and SPI input\/output expanders, Adafruit have reduced the number of pins while still making it easy to interface with the LCD. Only 2 pins are needed for I2C, 3 for SPI. For Arduino and CircuitPython\/Python users, Adafruit provide an easy-to-use library that is backwards compatible with projects using the '6 pin' wiring. This backpack comes with pre-soldered 2-pin and 3-pin terminal block to make a 5-pin terminal for easy wiring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis backpack will work with any 'standard' character LCD, from 8x1 to 20x4 sizes! As long as they have a 16-pin single-line connection header at the top. It does not work with the 16x2 OLED displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis backpack now comes with a big re-spin that makes lots of improvements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdafruit added a 3-5V boost circuit for this backpack to control 5V LCDs even with 3V power and logic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe contrast potentiometer is much nicer and easier to twist using a small screwdriver.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdded\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sparkfun.com\/qwiic\"\u003e SparkFun qwiic\u003c\/a\u003e compatible \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learn.adafruit.com\/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt\"\u003eSTEMMA QT\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e connectors for the I2C bus \u003cstrong\u003eso you don't even need to solder the I2C and power lines.\u003c\/strong\u003e Just wire up to your favorite micro using a \u003ca href=\"products\/jst-sh-cable-qwiic-stemma-qt-compatible\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSTEMMA QT adapter cable.\u003c\/a\u003e QT Cable is not included, but we have a variety in the shop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunctionality and size\/shape are the same - mechanically and code-wise, it is a drop-in replacement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdafruit have also updated this PCB with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/adafruit\/Adafruit_Pinguin\"\u003eAdafruit Pinguin\u003c\/a\u003e to make a lovely and legible silkscreen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvanced users can repurpose the backpack for general-purpose I\/O expansion: the MCP23008 has 8 i\/o pins (7 are connected) with optional pull-ups, and the SPI 74HC595 has 7 connected outputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learn.adafruit.com\/i2c-spi-lcd-backpack\/downloads\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEagleCAD PCB GitHub files and Fritzing object available in the product tutorial\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis board\/chip uses I2C 7-bit address between 0x20-0x27, selectable with jumpers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks with 16x2 and 20x4 Character LCDs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt does not work with 16x2 OLED displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLearn\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-info-added-tutorial-title\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learn.adafruit.com\/i2c-spi-lcd-backpack\"\u003ePrimary Guide: I2C\/SPI LCD Backpack\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-info-tutorials-tagline\"\u003eSaving you 4 pins, every day\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Adafruit","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":347683169,"sku":"ADA292","price":9.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/292-06_53d0276d-93ad-49a5-b74b-20ae32970a26.jpg?v=1743779979","url":"https:\/\/shop.pimoroni.com\/en-eu\/products\/adafruit-i2c-spi-character-lcd-backpack","provider":"Pimoroni Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}