Tiny LCD

[rocky79]

Does anyone know where i can find a glass LCD similar to the ones used on mini calculators with 5mm or smaller character size? so basically as small as possible
Thanks

[ZAGNUT]

tried www.pacificdisplay.com ?

[rocky79]

yes, i did. They want me to buy 100+ item. I am looking for a low quantity supplier with reasonable price.Thanks anyway.

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I recall that Hexpert Systems was selling the LCD module used in their ZLog Mod 3. It is small and has a handy I2C interface. www.hexpertsystems.com

[Andrew0820]

These may be too large, but possibly worth a look.

Jameco LCD (http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c262/P235.pdf)

You can search for the individual part number at www.jameco.com

andrew

[rocky79]

Thanks guys well i wonder where Mr MX has bought his units from? i called pacific display and they say they supply samples for $15 each. to get the price budget of $3 to $5 a piece i need to buy them in 1000's hmm...
they only sell in large quantities.
i am trying to find a cheap reliable source i don't wanna buy them second hand from hexpert systems

[Acetronics]

Hi, Rocky

I remember there has been the same discussion here in the past ...

Why not try a search ???

Alain

[ZAGNUT]

Thanks guys well i wonder where Mr MX has bought his units from?

from pacific and i do believe they were the same as the 4x1 module they now have listed



dave

[Nightz]

Do a Google search for "American Science and Surplus". Sometimes you get lucky with them.

-Rocko

[wwwoholic]

Does anyone know where i can find a glass LCD similar to the ones used on mini calculators with 5mm or smaller character size? so basically as small as possibleIf you're looking for "similar" why not get "the same"? After all you can buy calculator or kid's watch or alarm clock for a buck in any dollar store.

[rocky79]

If you're looking for "similar" why not get "the same"? After all you can buy calculator or kid's watch or alarm clock for a buck in any dollar store.

Good idea Wwwoholic, i need to visist the 99 cents store. :)

[jeffs555]

I have seen a pedometer with a 5 digit display at the Dollar Tree. I believe it was like this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/How-far-did-you-walk-today-Pedometer-lowest-on-ebay_W0QQitemZ7232635752QQcategoryZ44077QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

It is just a simple step counter with a reset button. I thought about getting one to try to use as a simple pulse counter.

[rocky79]

I have seen a pedometer with a 5 digit display at the Dollar Tree. I believe it was like this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/How-far-did-you-walk-today-Pedometer-lowest-on-ebay_W0QQitemZ7232635752QQcategoryZ44077QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

It is just a simple step counter with a reset button. I thought about getting one to try to use as a simple pulse counter.
I wonder how easy to disassemble it into usuable parts.I haven't tried to drive an LCD without an LCD controller. so that's another thing to try

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I wonder how easy to disassemble it into usable parts.The good news is that they come apart very easily. But beyond that, it will probably be a frustrating experience. Elastomer interconnections, microsized contact points on glass, 25 mil spacings, and no data sheet to work from.

The displays that have the built in LCD controller earn their weight in gold. That is why Hexpert Sys used a I2C version.

I have seen a pedometer with a 5 digit display at the Dollar Tree.I have a couple of those $1 pedometers. Walking accuracy is poor, but they would be great for a simple counter project.

[vintage1]

If you're looking for "similar" why not get "the same"? After all you can buy calculator or kid's watch or alarm clock for a buck in any dollar store.

Trouble with stuff THAT cheap is its likely to be a completely integrated chip and LCD driver...almost impossible to get to the driver alone..

[wwwoholic]

The good news is that they come apart very easily. But beyond that, it will probably be a frustrating experience. Elastomer interconnections, microsized contact points on glass, 25 mil spacings, and no data sheet to work from. The OP asked for "glass LCD ... as small as possible". That is why I assumed that a) he doesn't need a controller and b) able to work with small parts.

The displays that have the built in LCD controller earn their weight in gold. That is why Hexpert Sys used a I2C version.
I have a couple of those $1 pedometers. Walking accuracy is poor, but they would be great for a simple counter project. Speaking of pedometers. I don't know their maximum possible speed but if it is around 1kHz then you got yourself 3-digit display with 1 sec refresh rate and simplest interface possible - just use "reset" line. That is assuming some contact bounce logic will not kick in.

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I was going to use the $1 pedometer for a cheap Tach project. The max reliable clock rate I could get out of it was about 6Hz. I did not tear it apart to see if the limitation was due to a simple R-C debounce on the pedulum input or if it was a firmware limitation.

The $1 gadget still has value. For example, it would be good for an onboard R/C glitch counter project.

[jeffs555]

Both Atmel and Microchip have app notes for directly driving LCD segments from AVR's and PIC's. The major problem is that the calculator or watch case holds the display in alignment for the elastomeric contact strip, so holding the display with the proper pressure and alignment without the case would be a mechanical problem.

I bought one of the Dollar Tree pedometers at lunch. The LCD digits are about 8mm tall and the 5 digit display is 25x15mm. It has the same elastomeric contacts on the display as most watches and calculators. Like RC-Cam said, walking accuracy is poor, due to the cheap pendulum switch. Wiring in an external switch is easy, so would be good for a cheap event counter. Maximum count rate appears to be just a few counts per second.

PS There was a cap across the pendulum switch contacts. I removed this cap and the count rate didn't change, so limitation must be in electronics.

[andy_rutter]

Another option for a small display is to use the LCD out of a mobile phone - you can pick them up very cheaply on eBay - e.g. Nokia 3310 at £1 - £3. This is a 84x48 pixel graphical display, but with a simple serial interface. See here (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.lewis19/nokia.htm) for an example of how to drive it.

--
Andy

[MX]

Thanks guys well i wonder where Mr MX has bought his units from? i called pacific display and they say they supply samples for $15 each. to get the price budget of $3 to $5 a piece i need to buy them in 1000's hmm...
they only sell in large quantities.
i am trying to find a cheap reliable source i don't wanna buy them second hand from hexpert systems

I just saw this thread. Yes, I get the displays from Pacific Display Devices. I have to buy in large quantities. I do have some on my store site along with some data sheets:

http://store.hexsys.biz/cubecart/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=6

MX

[thirsty]

Don't know if these are small enough but I can supply 8 * 2 LCD displays with Hitachi driver for $4US each plus shipping. For 10 or more they are $3 each plus shipping.

Characters are just under 5mm tall. Standard interface (14 pin - no backlight). Overall size is 40mm * 30mm with viewable area 30mm * 14mm.

Regards

Thirsty

PS - I'm in Australia.

[rocky79]

Don't know if these are small enough but I can supply 8 * 2 LCD displays with Hitachi driver for $4US each plus shipping. For 10 or more they are $3 each plus shipping.

Characters are just under 5mm tall. Standard interface (14 pin - no backlight). Overall size is 40mm * 30mm with viewable area 30mm * 14mm.

Regards

Thirsty

PS - I'm in Australia.
Thirsty,
Do you have a link that shows the LCD your talking about? a picture would help.
Thanks

[thirsty]

Attached is the datasheet in PDF format,

Regards

Thirsty

[markmi]

Hi Guys

Another device to look at is a PH and Alkalinity Meter 2½ digit display +-20 x 10mm. Works same as a Digital Volt Meter. Another device is a digital thermometer.


markmi

[ZAGNUT]

http://www.lcdchina.com/en/index.asp has a very nice 1x8 COG display that measures around 32x18mm and is only 2mm thick.

chinese sites can be painfully slow so i've attached the data sheet.


dave

[rocky79]

Don't know if these are small enough but I can supply 8 * 2 LCD displays with Hitachi driver for $4US each plus shipping. For 10 or more they are $3 each plus shipping.

Characters are just under 5mm tall. Standard interface (14 pin - no backlight). Overall size is 40mm * 30mm with viewable area 30mm * 14mm.

Regards

Thirsty

PS - I'm in Australia.
Thanks Thirsty, but that's not what i am looking for.

[rocky79]

http://www.lcdchina.com/en/index.asp has a very nice 1x8 COG display that measures around 32x18mm and is only 2mm thick.

chinese sites can be painfully slow so i've attached the data sheet.


dave
How can you order from these guys? i need to find a distributer

[mike50]

How can you order from these guys? i need to find a distributer

If you find out, post it here. These seem to be exactly what I have been looking for as well.

Mike

[ZAGNUT]

How can you order from these guys? i need to find a distributer

got interested in this display again and some random googling turned this american supplier up: http://www.azdisplays.com/prod/x.php3?x=c0801c.php looks to be the same display and has two different pin options.


dave

[mike50]

got interested in this display again and some random googling turned this american supplier up: http://www.azdisplays.com/prod/x.php3?x=c0801c.php looks to be the same display and has two different pin options.


dave

It's odd though, no matter what options I select (I tried all combinations) on their site to produce a part number, they always come up as invalid. Or maybe they just don't stock this part.

Mike

[ZAGNUT]

finally got something by searching with only the base part number: http://www.azo-store.com/cgi-bin/lcdos/searchB.pl?sesid=C;UW7GZBWFFPXIEFL7VI&SNAME=ACM0801C-FN-YBW


dave

[xorcise]

Ebay is a good place to find cheap LCD's. I purchased several small 8x2 LCD's with the popular Hitachi controller for USD $1.65 each. This guy never sold them all and he might have more if you write him. If you need PIC drivers let me know.
Ebay LCD Vendor (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7615130211&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1)

This store always has great prices...like $3.00 for 16x2's, $4.00 for 20x2, $5.00 for 16x1, etc.
Good Cheap LCD's (http://character-lcd-lcds.shopeio.com/inventory/catalog.asp?ACTION=2&cat=Lcds&sub=Character%20Lcd)