Why does my LCD display not work?

[huntleybill]

Hi all
I have the Makerfarm Prusa i3V 8" RAMPS 1.4 that I just finished puting on the "itty bitty flex dual extruder". Everything seems to work ok except the LCD display. If I plug my laptop in with the power to the printer turned off, the display works fine (backlit fine with nice bright white charectors). With the laptop connected and the power to the printer turned on, the display shows a lit background and faint black lettering (very hard to see but workable). With the laptop disconnected and the power to the printer turned on, the display is blank.

I checked to make sure the display is plugged in and that I didn't bend any pins or is the connector plugged into the wrong spot. I also looked at the config_h file and I don't see anything worng but I'm a newbe!

Below is the LCD portion of the firmware. If you can help me fix the display, I would appreciate it.
Thank you
Bill



//LCD and SD support
//#define ULTRA_LCD //general LCD support, also 16x2
//#define DOGLCD // Support for SPI LCD 128x64 (Controller ST7565R graphic Display Family)
//#define SDSUPPORT // Enable SD Card Support in Hardware Console
//#define SDSLOW // Use slower SD transfer mode (not normally needed - uncomment if you're getting volume init error)
//#define SD_CHECK_AND_RETRY // Use CRC checks and retries on the SD communication
//#define ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP 1 // Increase if you have a high resolution encoder
//#define ENCODER_STEPS_PER_MENU_ITEM 5 // Set according to ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP or your liking
//#define ULTIMAKERCONTROLLER //as available from the Ultimaker online store.
//#define ULTIPANEL //the UltiPanel as on Thingiverse
//#define LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_HZ 1000 // this is the tone frequency the buzzer plays when on UI feedback. ie Screen Click
//#define LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_DURATION_MS 100 // the duration the buzzer plays the UI feedback sound. ie Screen Click
// The MaKr3d Makr-Panel with graphic controller and SD support
// http://reprap.org/wiki/MaKr3d_MaKrPanel
//#define MAKRPANEL
// The RepRapDiscount Smart Controller (white PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscount_Smart_Controller
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
// The GADGETS3D G3D LCD/SD Controller (blue PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RAMPS_1.3/1.4...eld_with_Panel
//#define G3D_PANEL
// The RepRapDiscount FULL GRAPHIC Smart Controller (quadratic white PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscoun...art_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
// The RepRapWorld REPRAPWORLD_KEYPAD v1.1
// http://reprapworld.com/?products_det...Path=1591_1626
//#define REPRAPWORLD_KEYPAD
//#define REPRAPWORLD_KEYPAD_MOVE_STEP 10.0 // how much should be moved when a key is pressed, eg 10.0 means 10mm per click
// The Elefu RA Board Control Panel
// http://www.elefu.com/index.php?route...&product_id=53
// REMEMBER TO INSTALL LiquidCrystal_I2C.h in your ARUDINO library folder: https://github.com/kiyoshigawa/LiquidCrystal_I2C
//#define RA_CONTROL_PANEL
//automatic expansion
#if defined (MAKRPANEL)
#define DOGLCD
#define SDSUPPORT
#define ULTIPANEL
#define NEWPANEL
#define DEFAULT_LCD_CONTRAST 17
#endif
#if defined (REPRAP_DISCOUNT_FULL_GRAPHIC_SMART_CONTROLLER)
#define DOGLCD
#define U8GLIB_ST7920
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
#endif
#if defined(ULTIMAKERCONTROLLER) || defined(REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER) || defined(G3D_PANEL)
#define ULTIPANEL
#define NEWPANEL
#endif
#if defined(REPRAPWORLD_KEYPAD)
#define NEWPANEL
#define ULTIPANEL
#endif
#if defined(RA_CONTROL_PANEL)
#define ULTIPANEL
#define NEWPANEL
#define LCD_I2C_TYPE_PCA8574
#define LCD_I2C_ADDRESS 0x27 // I2C Address of the port expander
#endif
//I2C PANELS
//#define LCD_I2C_SAINSMART_YWROBOT
#ifdef LCD_I2C_SAINSMART_YWROBOT
// This uses the LiquidCrystal_I2C library ( https://bitbucket.org/fmalpartida/ne...stal/wiki/Home )
// Make sure it is placed in the Arduino libraries directory.
#define LCD_I2C_TYPE_PCF8575
#define LCD_I2C_ADDRESS 0x27 // I2C Address of the port expander
#define NEWPANEL
#define ULTIPANEL
#endif
// PANELOLU2 LCD with status LEDs, separate encoder and click inputs
//#define LCD_I2C_PANELOLU2
#ifdef LCD_I2C_PANELOLU2
// This uses the LiquidTWI2 library v1.2.3 or later ( https://github.com/lincomatic/LiquidTWI2 )
// Make sure the LiquidTWI2 directory is placed in the Arduino or Sketchbook libraries subdirectory.
// (v1.2.3 no longer requires you to define PANELOLU in the LiquidTWI2.h library header file)
// Note: The PANELOLU2 encoder click input can either be directly connected to a pin
// (if BTN_ENC defined to != -1) or read through I2C (when BTN_ENC == -1).
#define LCD_I2C_TYPE_MCP23017
#define LCD_I2C_ADDRESS 0x20 // I2C Address of the port expander
#define LCD_USE_I2C_BUZZER //comment out to disable buzzer on LCD
#define NEWPANEL
#define ULTIPANEL
#ifndef ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP
#define ENCODER_PULSES_PER_STEP 4
#endif
#ifndef ENCODER_STEPS_PER_MENU_ITEM
#define ENCODER_STEPS_PER_MENU_ITEM 1
#endif

#ifdef LCD_USE_I2C_BUZZER
#define LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_HZ 1000
#define LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_DURATION_MS 100
#endif
#endif
// Panucatt VIKI LCD with status LEDs, integrated click & L/R/U/P buttons, separate encoder inputs
//#define LCD_I2C_VIKI
#ifdef LCD_I2C_VIKI
// This uses the LiquidTWI2 library v1.2.3 or later ( https://github.com/lincomatic/LiquidTWI2 )
// Make sure the LiquidTWI2 directory is placed in the Arduino or Sketchbook libraries subdirectory.
// Note: The pause/stop/resume LCD button pin should be connected to the Arduino
// BTN_ENC pin (or set BTN_ENC to -1 if not used)
#define LCD_I2C_TYPE_MCP23017
#define LCD_I2C_ADDRESS 0x20 // I2C Address of the port expander
#define LCD_USE_I2C_BUZZER //comment out to disable buzzer on LCD (requires LiquidTWI2 v1.2.3 or later)
#define NEWPANEL
#define ULTIPANEL
#endif
// Shift register panels
// ---------------------
// 2 wire Non-latching LCD SR from:
// https://bitbucket.org/fmalpartida/ne...ter-connection
//#define SR_LCD
#ifdef SR_LCD
#define SR_LCD_2W_NL // Non latching 2 wire shift register
//#define NEWPANEL
#endif

#ifdef ULTIPANEL
// #define NEWPANEL //enable this if you have a click-encoder panel
#define SDSUPPORT
#define ULTRA_LCD
#ifdef DOGLCD // Change number of lines to match the DOG graphic display
#define LCD_WIDTH 20
#define LCD_HEIGHT 5
#else
#define LCD_WIDTH 20
#define LCD_HEIGHT 4
#endif
#else //no panel but just LCD
#ifdef ULTRA_LCD
#ifdef DOGLCD // Change number of lines to match the 128x64 graphics display
#define LCD_WIDTH 20
#define LCD_HEIGHT 5
#else
#define LCD_WIDTH 16
#define LCD_HEIGHT 2
#endif
#endif
#endif
// default LCD contrast for dogm-like LCD displays
#ifdef DOGLCD
# ifndef DEFAULT_LCD_CONTRAST
# define DEFAULT_LCD_CONTRAST 32
# endif
#endif

[voodoo28]

You didn't specify which LCD screen you have..


if you have the big full graphic lcd you need to un-comment this line:


//#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_FULL_GRAPHIC_SMART_CONTROLLER


and add the "//" to the other line #define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

[huntleybill]

I beleive I have the REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
How would I know for sure?

[voodoo28]

does it look like this?
http://reprapelectro.com/product/ful...cd-controller/

[huntleybill]

Nope...it looks like this....

20150611_154315_resized.jpg

[voodoo28]

Make sure the ribbon cables are fully seated and try to re-flash the firmware..also make sure to send M502 followed by M500 command using ur controller software of choice after the re-flash.

[huntleybill]

Thanks Voodoo.

I had tried that with no luck. Connections are tight with no bent or broken pins. I even tried re-loading the original Makerfarm firmware (of which I had no issues with) and got the same results. Seems to me that would rule out firmware...????

But, I noticed something else. The firmware I attached in the original post above has the following lines...

// The RepRapDiscount Smart Controller (white PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscount_Smart_Controller
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
// The GADGETS3D G3D LCD/SD Controller (blue PCB)

My RAMPS board is NOT white. It looks black to me. Here is a picture of it. Do all these have to be the same color? I just assumed the different colors were from a different manufacturer but did the same thing or were compatable. Yes? No?
20150612_081506_resized.jpg

Am I way off base here or is there another solution?
Thank you
Bill

[voodoo28]

Not sure that would make a difference since you already tried loading the default firmware that came with your printer and it still fails.
Im not familiar with RAMPs...I currently use RAMBO

Did you swap out the board you originally got with your MakerFarm Kit?

One more thing you should look at...If you unplugged the 2 lcd ribbons make sure they are in the correct plugs.. I know on the Rambo the lcd ribbons have numbers that need to match up on the lcd and the Rambo board when plugged in.
EXP1 and EXP2 should match on both ends of the ribbon.

Thanks Voodoo.

I had tried that with no luck. Connections are tight with no bent or broken pins. I even tried re-loading the original Makerfarm firmware (of which I had no issues with) and got the same results. Seems to me that would rule out firmware...????

But, I noticed something else. The firmware I attached in the original post above has the following lines...

// The RepRapDiscount Smart Controller (white PCB)
// http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRapDiscount_Smart_Controller
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER
// The GADGETS3D G3D LCD/SD Controller (blue PCB)

My RAMPS board is NOT white. It looks black to me. Here is a picture of it. Do all these have to be the same color? I just assumed the different colors were from a different manufacturer but did the same thing or were compatable. Yes? No?


Am I way off base here or is there another solution?
Thank you
Bill

[huntleybill]

follow up..I fixed it. turns out after replacing the board that the printer cable from my laptop ( Mega 2560 I think its called) the display started working. I haven't put filament in it yet but everything else seems to be working fine.

Thanks for all your help.
Bill