node-red-node-pilcd

A Node-RED node for a Raspberry Pi to write to a GPIO connected HD44780 style LCD panels.

Install

Either use the Node-RED Menu - Manage Palette option to install, or run the following command in your Node-RED user directory - typically ~/.node-red

npm install node-red-node-pilcd

Usage

Raspberry Pi output to HD44780 style LCD module - typically 1, 2, or 4 lines.

It must be configured with a comma separated list of pins that are wired to the LCD panel. Pins MUST be a comma separated list of the 6 GPIO connector pin numbers that are connected to the RS, E, D4, D5, D6 and D7 pins of the LCD. e.g.

    26,24,22,18,16,12

Send the node a msg.payload with a string in it.

Strings for the 2nd line of the display must start 2: - the third start 3: - and the fourth 4: - For example

    2:I'm on line two
    4:and this is on line 4
    1:or indeed line 1

The 1: is not necessary for line one but is there if you build lines using a template,

To clear the display send the string clr:

It is up to you to manage string lengths to suit the display.

Requires the RPi.GPIO python library version 0.5.8 (or better) in order to work.

Note: we are using the actual physical pin numbers on connector P1 as they are easier to locate.