Fixing 1602 LCD display module in a PCB based project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: garvind25
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 11:16:03 am
content: Hi,I am using a 1602 character LCD in a CPLD based project. Since it is the first time I am using a LCD module, I wanted to know how to fix it on the PCB. Should I screw it on the top surface of the PCB and connect the pads using SIL connectors or should I cut out a window in the pcb so that only the display part of the module pops up from the pcb and the pads get connected using SIL / ribbon wires? Does anyone have any pictures regarding the same which will give a clear idea as to how to fix the display pls?Looking forward to your valuable advice.Thanks and Regards,Arvind Gupta.

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 04:50:00 pm
content: Depends on any limitations you have regarding enclosure.For my own dev boards that have a (removable) 16x2 LCD, I've just used a female header - single row 0.1" socket - and 11m nylon standoff's. Stacking boards is handy because you don't lose board space, you can put components under the LCD, as long as they aren't higher than about 8mm.Like this:http://silicontechnolabs.in/image/cache/catalog/8051-quick-starter-development-board-silicon-technolabs/8051-quick-starter-development-board-silicon-technolabs-1-350x350.JPGI have seen LCD's mounted upsidedown, with a rectangle routed out of the PCB for the actual display, but only a couple of times, where the device had to be low profile. It just looks like a waste of board space to me, plus if you had to do that to make a device "thinner" then the rest of the board would have to have to be low profile too.As for 0.1"/2.54mm flex cable, generally that is used when the display is mounted to the enclosure and the board is mounted elsewhere, either at a different angle, or further away than headers would allow (>20mm),

author: garvind25
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 11:24:30 am
content: Thanks for reply. I suppose I will use the same technique for mounting the LCD display as shown in the link. Could you pls. post the name of the black pillars on which the display rests -- maybe pcb spacers or something else. It would be nice of you to post the name and its dimensions of these spacers and size of the screw & nut to go along with it. And if possible point me to a vendor who sells these.Regards,Arvind Gupta.

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 04:27:14 pm
content: I don't think there is any specific "standard" for mounting these displays. So the terms one would search for are 'standoffs' or, indeed "spacers".The 1602 LCD's I have tend to have M2.5 or M2 holes. The hole spacing seems to be the same across most modules (but not all!) but the standoff/spacer height depends on what pin headers/sockets you use! Some female headers will be longer/higher than others, but off the top of my head I think ~11mm was what I've used.I'm pretty sure there have also been M3 mountings too - you cannot possibly account for all LCD's, but I think most are 2.5mm holes, spaced 75mm by 31mm.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 07:04:35 pm
content: You may already have made your choice and/or have good reasons to use those "standard" LCD displays.Just wanted to let you know that there are some that are much smaller, cheap enough, easy to use and don't require any special mounting, such as those:http://www.newhavendisplay.com/lcd-chiponglass-character-cog-c-3_111.html

author: JanJansen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 04:09:14 pm
content: How do you mount those then, with glue ?

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 05:16:25 pm
content: Quote from: JanJansen on January 02, 2018, 04:09:14 pmUsually just soldering the pins is enough, because the displays get flush to the PCB.You can indeed secure them with some glue on the opposite side of the pins. You really don't need much for them to stay put, as they are very light.