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Homebrew Player Tracking and EFT Systems => NLG Homebrew Player Tracking and EFT Systems => Topic started by: Eddiie on June 29, 2020, 05:18:44 PM

Title: Making a Sentinel 1 Player Tracking LCD Work with Arduino Uno
Post by: Eddiie on June 29, 2020, 05:18:44 PM

This is a simple how-to get the LCD to work on what I believe to be an older Sentinel Player Tracking setup...
Pictures stolen from Fireball's WTS post.  ( http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=28002.0 (http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=28002.0) )  Credit to Fireball for the excellent pictures.

To accomplish this you will need an Arduino UNO, some Dupont Male/Female wires/connectors, and the LCD display.
If you are new to Arduino, please purchase one and play with the example sketches before continuing.
You will also need the LiquidCrystal library which is available through the Arduino Environment, Sketch -> Include LIbrary menu.

There is a Tutorial on the Arduino site about how to connect LCDs that use a common controller chip,  we will use this page and the sample sketch.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld)

Here is a URL that shows the pinout of the LCD - http://www.datavision.com.tw/en/lcm_01_1.php?P_Id=9 (http://www.datavision.com.tw/en/lcm_01_1.php?P_Id=9)   
I will also attach a picture of it, in case the URL goes away..

I did not want to use a resistor, potentiometer, or whatever to adjust the contrast, so I took pin 3 (VEE) on the LCD and sent it to GROUND.

Once you have "Hello, world!"  working, the other sample sketches (for example, the Scroll sketch) should work, too.
Using the built-in functions and playing around with the sketches should result in some fun.

The basic hook up for this display is -
Pin 1 = Ground   (Black)
Pin 2 = +5         (White)
Pin 3 = Ground   (Brown)
Pin 4 goes to Pin 12 on the Arduino UNO  (Gray)
Pin 5 = Ground  (Red)
Pin 6 goes to Pin 11 on the Arduino UNO  (Purple)

4 wires left to connect;  they are the data pins.    We will use the upper 4 bits... 4 wires.
Pin 11 goes to Pin 5 on the Arduino UNO  (Blue)
Pin 12 goes to Pin 4 on the Arduino UNO  (Green)
Pin 13 goes to Pin 3 on the Arduino UNO  (Yellow)
Pin 14 goes to Pin 2 on the Arduino UNO  (Orange)

Upload the "HelloWorld" sample sketch to the Arduino UNO and you too should see  "Hello, world!" on the LCD.

Dont worry about connecting things the wrong way,  it is only 5 volts,  you won't break anything.
If it doesnt work, try, try again.

Title: Re: Making a Sentinel 1 Player Tracking LCD Work with Arduino Uno
Post by: Eddiie on June 29, 2020, 05:37:28 PM

More pics...

First one are Dupont cables, if you do not know what they are.  Get the Male / Female type..  Pins on one side, holes on the other.
Pictures of the hookup..

Arduino UNO's, Dupont wires are commonly available on Amazon, eBay... etc.

Zoom in on the last picture to see the "hello, world" message on my display.   Photography is not my thing.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Making a Sentinel 1 Player Tracking LCD Work with Arduino Uno
Post by: jakah440 on July 01, 2020, 07:10:43 AM

Thank you for all this great info!!   :hail: :applause: