16x2 LCD Interface with Arduino using IIC Module

LCD Displays comes in different sizes. These displays are popular because they are easy to interface with. We had already interfaced 16x2 LCD with Arduino Microcontroller in our previous blog LCD Display Interface with Arduino.

There was one drawback. LCD Displays require a minimum of six pins. Most of the microcontroller does not have this much pins to bare. What if we need to interface two LCDs, that would cost twelve pins. To solve this issue we need the I2C Module.

With help of this module, we only need only the I2C bus. The advantage is multiple devices could be connected on one bus.

Things we need:

• Arduino Uno
• IIC Module for LCD Display
• 16x2 LCD Display
• 2mm Pitch 1x40 Female Berg Strip
• 2mm Pitch 1x40 Male Berg Strip

Connection is simple, First using Berg Strip connect LCD Module with the IIC Module. Then using Jumper wire connect Arduino 5V pin to Modules VCC Pin, Arduino Gnd pin to Module Gnd Pin, Arduino A5 Pin to Modules SCL Pin, and Arduinos A4 Pin to I2C Modules SDA Pin as shown below.

LCD Module can be soldered directly with the IIC Module but this would create a problem if any of the two gets damaged. Otherwise, LCD can be brought together pre-soldered with the IIC Module.

Circuit Diagram:

After the connection is complete copy-paste and upload, the I2C scanner code. Then open the Serial Monitor there you will find the I2C address for your device. Note the IIC address.

I2C Scanner: 

Now Copy the code below to your Arduino IDE and Replace my IIC address (0x3F) with your IIC address that you noted ago. Then upload the code. And you should see the screen working. If nothing on the screen try to rotate the Potentiometer that you have on the IIC Module. That pot controls the Contrast of your display.

Before you upload the code library needs to be installed. Please follow the below mention instruction to install the library.
https://creativestudio1973.blogspot.com/2019/11/introduction-to-arduino-library-manager.html

Source Code:

Video: