Ramps 1.4 LCD showing 2 white "block" lines

Hey everyone. So, I decided to build a second delta (because I somehow had enough extra parts just for one ). So I build it, connected everything, but there is a problem. The LCD won't work.
I am using Ramps 1.4 (and it is the selected board in marlin) and normal 2004 RepRapDiscount Smart Controller. I have enabled it in marlin:

// RepRapDiscount Smart Controller.
// [reprap.org]
//
// Note: Usually sold with a white PCB.
//
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

but it always shows 2 white lines no matter what. I tried the screen in my first delta and it works (and the other way around that the LCD from the first one does not work on this one). I tried switching the cables, rotating them, reflashing it multiple times and still the same problem.
Interestingly enough, it does beep when I blindly scroll through the menu and select something. It "reflashes" when I hit the restart button on the ramps, not on the display (it blinks and so on, but never shows any characters) but that's about it. And yes, I tried changing the contrast. And yes, everything else works just fine.

Images are here (as I can't post more than one, so I am putting them all to one imgur).

Thanks for any advice.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2019 09:07AM by Kubas_inko.

Adjust the contrast (its a variable resistor on the back of the PCB )

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2019 10:08PM by Dust.

Quote
Dust
Adjust the contrast (its a variable resistor on the back of the PCB )

If you were to read my post, you'd find out that I did just that.

Under the d in "rrd" along the top of your LCD adapter is a blob of solder that should not be. But that is on the kill button.

The pins that are required for LCD are

#define LCD_PINS_RS 16
#define LCD_PINS_ENABLE 17
#define LCD_PINS_D4 23
#define LCD_PINS_D5 25
#define LCD_PINS_D6 27
#define LCD_PINS_D7 29

Looking closely at the top of the LCD adapter at these 6 pins a few look dodgy.. In particular 23,25 and 27.

I would hit them all with some fresh flux and solder.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 01:23AM by Dust.

Quote
Dust
Under the d in "rrd" along the top of your LCD adapter is a blob of solder that should not be. But that is on the kill button.

The pins that are required for LCD are

#define LCD_PINS_RS 16
#define LCD_PINS_ENABLE 17
#define LCD_PINS_D4 23
#define LCD_PINS_D5 25
#define LCD_PINS_D6 27
#define LCD_PINS_D7 29

Looking closely at the top of the LCD adapter at these 6 pins a few look dodgy.. In particular 23,25 and 27.

I would hit them all with some fresh flux and solder.

It works with other boards, so the LCD is fine and working (if anything, there might be a bit of hot glue, but the LCD is fully working on my other delta).
Also, LCD from my first delta does not work here either, so it's not a problem with the LCD itself.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 03:50AM by Kubas_inko.

ok... compile and upload this 20x4 LCD test sketch. DO NOT MODIFY IT, it works as is on a RAMPS

//Standard RRD smart controller LCD pins when on a RAMPS 1.4

 //lcd pins  
#define LCD_PINS_RS 16 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_ENABLE 17 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D4 23 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D5 25 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D6 27 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D7 29 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  

#define screenX         20
#define screenY         4

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#define LCD_CLASS LiquidCrystal
LCD_CLASS lcd(LCD_PINS_RS, LCD_PINS_ENABLE, LCD_PINS_D4, LCD_PINS_D5, LCD_PINS_D6, LCD_PINS_D7); //RS,Enable,D4,D5,D6,D7

void setup() {  
  lcd.begin(screenX, screenX);
  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.print("hello, world!");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("I am not a reprap.");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
  lcd.print("But we are working");
  lcd.setCursor(2, 3);
  lcd.print("on that...");
}

//Main arduino loop
void loop() {
}

If this works, its a firmware issue.
If this doesn't work, its a hardware issue. (ramps or arduino)

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 08:05AM by Dust.

Quote
Dust
ok... compile and upload this 20x4 LCD test sketch. DO NOT MODIFY IT, it works as is on a RAMPS

//Standard RRD smart controller LCD pins when on a RAMPS 1.4

 //lcd pins  
#define LCD_PINS_RS 16 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_ENABLE 17 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D4 23 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D5 25 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D6 27 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  
#define LCD_PINS_D7 29 //[RAMPS14-SMART-ADAPTER]  

#define screenX         20
#define screenY         4

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#define LCD_CLASS LiquidCrystal
LCD_CLASS lcd(LCD_PINS_RS, LCD_PINS_ENABLE, LCD_PINS_D4, LCD_PINS_D5, LCD_PINS_D6, LCD_PINS_D7); //RS,Enable,D4,D5,D6,D7

void setup() {  
  lcd.begin(screenX, screenX);
  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.print("hello, world!");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("I am not a reprap.");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
  lcd.print("But we are working");
  lcd.setCursor(2, 3);
  lcd.print("on that...");
}

//Main arduino loop
void loop() {
}

If this works, its a firmware issue.
If this doesn't work, its a hardware issue. (ramps or arduino)

Yea, it does not work, but thanks for trying. Instead of anything, now I get one and a half of white block lines (so pretty much the same).
How would one wire it directly (from the back of the LCD to the ramps)? Because maybe that the expansion board is broken.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 08:52AM by Kubas_inko.

This is just for the LCD, not the encoder or buzzer etc (you dont need EXP2 at all for just the display)

aux-4 --> lcd

D16 --> EXP1 pin 4
D17 --> EXP1 pin 3
D23 --> EXP1 pin 5
D25 --> EXP1 pin 6
D27 --> EXP1 pin 7
D29 --> EXP1 pin 8


aux3/SPI

GND --> EXP1 pin 9
+5v --> EXP1 pin 10

Which is pin 9 on your lcd exp1 is the tricky bit, since some have plugs on upside down
With a multi meter on continuity, put the gnd wire on the SD card shield and test the corner pins of exp1 on the lcd. the one with a good continuity is pin 9, you can work out the rest of the pin numbers from that



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2019 09:48AM by Dust.