while your reading this download and install the Arduino IDE software
The LCD Display
Right of the hop I gave the wrong LCD
Its a 20x4 LCD I'll be using.
20x4 means the LCD can display 20 characters per line , and has 4 lines ..room to display 80 characters.
http://www.hd44780.com/Specs/DM2004A_dwg.pdfEach character has a line address.
http://web.alfredstate.edu/weimandn/lcd/lcd_addressing/lcd_addressing_index.htmlYou'll notice how the address is kinda split up , this is because there are two chips on the LCD, each controlling 2 lines and half of the display.
In the Arduino IDE the lcd requires a "driver" to interact with the Arduino processor (Atmega328pa). In Arduino these "drivers" are known as "
libraries" . Keep that word in your head , The Arduino software will only recognise a library in the proper folder .
For this LCD we need the LiquidCrystal library .
http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/LiquidCrystalhttp://playground.arduino.cc/uploads/Main/LiquidCrystal_1.zipOnce you unzip that ,
You will have the file LiquidCrystal folder. In you documents folder you well see a Arduino file ,in that file there's a library , right click/ copy/paste or drag and drop the LCD library into the Documents/Arduino/libraries folder
Now open the Arduino IDE , your new library should be waiting for you to find it
click
File --- Sketchbook ----libraries--- LiquidCrystal--example's
or
File--- Examples ----LiquidCrystal
then you will also see examples to play with .
Attaching the LCD to the Arduino.At this point solder your pin header to the 0-16 pins on the LCD.This will enable you to "plug" the LCD directly into the bread board.
This goes into detail ..Its not hard just connect the dots.
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LiquidCrystalTextDirectionThe 10k potentiometer is there to set the contrast of your display. If you don't want it in there , set your contrast ,measure the resistance of the potentiometer ,and replace it with the corresponding resistor.