We have been trying to build the "RGB LCD Shield" and failed to get it working. We did study the soldering tips you provide to see if we could fix it but we have not been able to get it to work.
What do we do?
The display lights up but we have not been able to get anything to
show on the display.
We have managed to get other displays to work before. Unfortunately, we did not try the display stand alone. We followed these instructions:
https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-lcd-shield/assembly
I've attached photos of the assembled soldered shield.
Is it possible to dismount the LCD shield or how should we proceed? It
is hard to know where the error lies.
We bought the shield and display from Electrokit. The order-ID C357914.
https://www.electrokit.com/produkt/rgb- ... nverterad/
We tried different sample codes provided and it uploads correctly but does not appear to affect the display.
RGB LCD shield does not work
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- brutus2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:51 pm
RGB LCD shield does not work
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- other side
- IMG-0320_resized2.jpg (393.17 KiB) Viewed 171 times
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- one side
- IMG-0319.jpg (919.28 KiB) Viewed 171 times
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88136
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
Most of your soldering looks serviceable. But there are a few joints that do look suspicious from this angle (see below).
A top-down view is not ideal for showing how well the solder has flowed. Viewing from about a 45 degree angle may reveal other issues. The ideal joint should have a profile as shown in the diagram: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gui ... n-problems
A top-down view is not ideal for showing how well the solder has flowed. Viewing from about a 45 degree angle may reveal other issues. The ideal joint should have a profile as shown in the diagram: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gui ... n-problems
- Attachments
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- RGB LCD.jpg (629.64 KiB) Viewed 169 times
- brutus2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:51 pm
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
We have tried to resolder the suggested joints. There is no difference. The display light sup but nothing happens.
I tried to check connectivity with a multimeter but I am unsure. There is like 100 solderings. Which are key?
I've attached more pictures.
I tried to check connectivity with a multimeter but I am unsure. There is like 100 solderings. Which are key?
I've attached more pictures.
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- 3.jpg (252.38 KiB) Viewed 156 times
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- 2.jpg (211.67 KiB) Viewed 156 times
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- 1.jpg (235.82 KiB) Viewed 156 times
- brutus2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:51 pm
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
For some reason all pictures were not included. I guess there is a cap on three pictures per message? Anyway, here are more pictures.
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- 6.jpg (366.13 KiB) Viewed 156 times
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- 5.jpg (311.87 KiB) Viewed 156 times
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- 4.jpg (266.84 KiB) Viewed 156 times
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88136
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
Still some problematic joints there. The solder needs to flow onto the solder pad to make a reliable electrical connection.
Make sure that your soldering iron tip is clean. And be sure to heat the gold solder pad - not just the pin.
Also, if you are using a low-powered iron (e.g < 50W) you may need to give it some time to re-heat between joints. Those 2 rough-shaped joints circled in the photo below are 'cold joints'. The rough shape indicates that the solder has not melted completely, so the joint will be unreliable at best.
Make sure that your soldering iron tip is clean. And be sure to heat the gold solder pad - not just the pin.
Also, if you are using a low-powered iron (e.g < 50W) you may need to give it some time to re-heat between joints. Those 2 rough-shaped joints circled in the photo below are 'cold joints'. The rough shape indicates that the solder has not melted completely, so the joint will be unreliable at best.
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- rgblcd2.jpg (346.39 KiB) Viewed 155 times
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- rgblcd1.jpg (408.19 KiB) Viewed 155 times
- millercommamatt
- Posts: 837
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 4:57 pm
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
do yourself a favor and buy some flux
- brutus2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:51 pm
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
I'm using a 65W TS101 soldering iron.
I've resoldered the below and tried to look through everything. Is there a manual for the actual display so I can verify that it works? I guess I could connect it to a breadboard using the free row of pins?
I can see the background color changes if I put a wire from one of the last metals on the LCD and ground.
Why is the LED having 18 pins and not 16 as in the instruction?
How can I find an instruction on how to check the LED?
Are there any key connections I should check connectivity between with a multimeter?
I've resoldered the below and tried to look through everything. Is there a manual for the actual display so I can verify that it works? I guess I could connect it to a breadboard using the free row of pins?
I can see the background color changes if I put a wire from one of the last metals on the LCD and ground.
Why is the LED having 18 pins and not 16 as in the instruction?
How can I find an instruction on how to check the LED?
Are there any key connections I should check connectivity between with a multimeter?
- Attachments
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- 03.jpg (286.21 KiB) Viewed 150 times
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- 02.jpg (238.2 KiB) Viewed 150 times
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- 01.jpg (415.75 KiB) Viewed 150 times
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88136
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: RGB LCD shield does not work
The soldering does look better now.
https://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds/overview
When running the example code from the library (link below) Does the background color change if you press any of the buttons?
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-RG ... oWorld.ino
The extra 2 pins are to control the backlight color. All other pins are identical to the monochrome versions.I can see the background color changes if I put a wire from one of the last metals on the LCD and ground.
Why is the LED having 18 pins and not 16 as in the instruction?
This guide covers character LCDs. The ones shown in the guide are identical to the RGB version except for the extra 2 pins for the backlight color.Is there a manual for the actual display so I can verify that it works?
https://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds/overview
When running the example code from the library (link below) Does the background color change if you press any of the buttons?
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-RG ... oWorld.ino
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.