DFROBOTDFR0009 Gravity: 1602 LCD Keypad Shield For Arduino

When writing the code, the buttons have an assigned pin out. Then each pin out has an internal resistor that is a specific value. So when entering values to assign the buttons you have to just use trial and error to determine the values of each button. Otherwise when you push the button labeled left, up is displayed on the LCD and when you push button labeled up, right is displayed on the LCD. And so on. Also button labeled select showed displayed nothing. only 1 button was correct so that was my starting point. So you just need to troubleshoot one button at a time to have the buttons properly addressed. In the end it did work. Up, down, left, right and select all show correctly on the LCD display when pressed. Once that was resolved assignments of any button to then perform a task, for example “press up to command on relay 1 which turns on fan” is now possible and can also be programmed show that fan on is successful”. Cool gadget.

My review should be pre-empted by that fact that I am very new to Arduino and this may have some effect on the outcome for me, so far! I was able to, after installing additional libraries, get the demo program to scroll 0-9 across the screen top line then to the bottom line and repeat. After playing with it (sketch) I was able to modify the program to display a message but not very well. I could not get the top and bottom lines to sync or for that matter to get them to scroll . Documentation for these modules at best suck and just require head bashing to learn how to make them function. The example presented does not even attempt to explain the code and would assume that it represents all that is needed to know. Again I am a beginner, so maybe after a few years of programming I will not have such a difficult time. A strong YouTube account is required for further understanding of the quick to market products.

It took me a while to figure it out but this appears to be intended for an older style of Uno (among others) and I'm using Uno Rev 3 now. Apparently you can't just plug into into the newer Uno. Attached photo should give you a head start.

Appears to be very good quality. Crisp silkscreen and nice soldering. LCD has no problem with the 3.3v logic level. All buttons are readable with distinct analog values, and the reset button works too. Using mbed OS 5 and the TextLCD library to drive it. And since the Nucleo is 5v tolerant on all pins, the 5v vcc breakouts can be used without a level converter. Kind of ironic that the mbed ecosystem has a more Arduino-compatible ARM board than the Due or Zero.

As advertised

The product is as advertised.....beautiful 2 x 16 white/blue LCD display - software was easy to setup from the web and it works as advertised!

This shield delivers everything it's supposed to deliver. It's easy to integrate into a project, and it responds as expected. The build quality is excellent.I will say that the stacking header pins are quite short. This makes it difficult to stack the display with another shield, such as the Ethernet shield. This is easily fixed with a second set of stacking headers inserted in between; be sure to order these at the same time if you plan to stack this on anything other than the bare Arduino.

This shield will allow me to develop code for my existing project but can be used in a breadboard fashion to develop sketches before committing to a Schematic and PCB design.