Anyone successfully installed Smart Controller 12864 LCD display?

In the firmware "configuration.h" file search for the following:

// The RepRapDiscount FULL GRAPHIC Smart Controller (quadratic white PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscount_Full_Graphic_Smart_Controller
//
// ==> REMEMBER TO INSTALL U8glib to your ARDUINO library folder: http://code.google.com/p/u8glib/wiki/u8glib
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_FULL_GRAPHIC_SMART_CONTROLLER


You need to uncomment the #define line as shown above and recompile the firmware with the u8glib library added to the Arduino library directory.

Note: make sure the line

//#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

in the configuration.h file is commented out

 

The LCD Controller pictured at the start of the thread is different to the Reprap Discount version. SD Card is on the right, PCB board has a different layout and there are two push buttons (not one). Not sure why Geetech have redesigned it???

If only the LCD display is being affected when the Robo is powered up, it is unlikely to be a noise issue. The LCD circuitry should be pretty immune to noise as long as the cable length is not too long (and it looks to be no more than about 25cm).

A more likely cause is the power supply was noisy just when you switched the Robo on. Does the LCD display work properly after you switch the Robo on and disconnect/reconnect from MatterControl or Repetier Host?


There are also a couple of fixes to make the encoder work better.

This mod to configuration.h fixes a problem with encoder pulses/step not being defined properly

#if defined(ULTIMAKERCONTROLLER) || defined(REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER) || defined(G3D_PANEL)
#define ULTIPANEL
#define NEWPANEL
// mod
#ifndef ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP
#define ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP 4 // not to be mistaken with the feelable click on the encoder itself!
#endif

#ifndef ENCODER_STEPS_PER_MENU_ITEM
#define ENCODER_STEPS_PER_MENU_ITEM 1
// end mod
#endif
#endif


And in pins.h you can reverse the encoder by changing the pin numbers of BTN_EN1 and 2

#ifdef REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
#define BEEPER 37

#define BTN_EN1 33 // 31 reverse
#define BTN_EN2 31 // 33
#define BTN_ENC 35

You can turn off the BEEPER by setting (but remember this turns off any beeper warnings as well)

#define BEEPER -1

 

The bottom pic looks entirely normal - and exactly what I would expect when the Robo is fully powered on.

The issue with the top pic could be:

- 5 volt power is not enough when only the USB is connected. Do you have anything else connected to the 5V power supply? eg LEDs or anything like that?

- OR possible an issue with the contrast setting on the LCD. There should be a small potentiometer where you can adjust the contrast - it looks like the pot is just above the push switch on the lower right of the LCD.

 

Ok. Then try adjusting the contrast potentiometer when the power is on.

It's possible the backlight is also too bright when the power is on.

 

I had a look at the schematic for geeetech LCD Controller

http://www.geeetech.com/wiki/index.php/Smart_controller_With_LED_turn_on_control_12864_Version

Geeetech have added a function which controls the LCD backlight based on a timer and control pin on the Arduino. However the Marlin software does not set this control pin. So it may be the LCD backlight function is causing the problem.

It is possible to disable the Geeetech backlight function. On the reverse side of the controller there is a jumper.



Move the jumper to the other 2 pins and try that.

 

Actually I just bought another Full Graphics display for another project. The potentiometer adjusting the backlight is very, very sensitive - too sensitive really - just a slight move and it screws up. I think the manufacturer has used too high a pot value (10k) so the adjustment range is way too small.