Raspberry Pi Pico LCD Projects

Connecting a low-cost LCD module to a Raspberry Pi Pico, and checking out some project applications. All code and wiring diagrams can be accessed at explainingcomputers.com/pi_pi...
My previous Pi Pico Input & Servo Control video is here:
• Raspberry Pi Pico: Inp...
And my Raspberry Pi Anemometer video is here:
• Raspberry Pi Anemomete...
At the time of uploading this video, the Waveshare LCD module I used in the video was available from:
The Pi Hut: thepihut.com/products/lcd1602...
Amazon US: amzn.to/3HcOooR
Amazon UK: amzn.to/43VqGXQ
Note the above Amazon links are affiliate, and that I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases you may make.
The Waveshare LCD 1602 I2C module support page is here: www.waveshare.com/wiki/LCD160...
And you can directly download the drivers and test files here:
www.waveshare.com/w/upload/d/...
The “Reflective IR Sensor” used in the anemometer is available from vendors including Pimoroni: shop.pimoroni.com/products/re...
and from Adafruit: www.adafruit.com/product/2349 (NOT affiliate).
For additional ExplainingComputers videos and other content, you can become a channel member here:
/ @explainingcomputers
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
/ @explainingcomputers
You may also like my ExplainingTheFuture channel at: / @explainingthefuture
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:03 LCD I2C (unboxing)
03:44 MicroPython Control
07:15 Does it Game?
12:46 Measuring the Wind (anemometer)
16:33 Wrap
#Pico #LCD #RaspberryPi #explainingcomputers

[@mikebarrett2621]

Clarity to the max! No inane chatter, fooling around, high speed gabbling or frantic camera movements just articulate explanation and very clear illustrations - perfection. If all teachers had your abilities the world would be a very much better educated place. :)

[@RoboNuggie]

Your enthusiasm when doing these projects is infectious... you can tell you love every minute :-) Thank you Chris, another great video!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support. I did indeed enjoy making this video. :)

[@wayland7150]

Nice to see a 35 year old display being used on a modern build.

[@bereck7735]

​@Win32applicationMost high end displays tend to work very well, including high refresh rate and modern display type ( OLEDS, Minileds ) etc etc and they are pricy for that reason, high refresh rate displays and they also deliver a much smoother experience, I wonder what monitor you had used that caused so much issues

[@wayland7150]

@Win32application I bought 6 of those Dell 24" screen this month! Got three on my computer.

[@JamesMiller-ex3ff]

@@wayland7150 How many do you go through a year?

[@wayland7150]

@@JamesMiller-ex3ff Go through? No, I set up a customer with two screens and set myself up with three screens and sold one with a gaming PC.

[@JamesMiller-ex3ff]

@@wayland7150 Aww, here's me thinking the other 3 were backups for the rage-induced destruction of the first 3

[@d.barnette2687]

Greetings from across the pond near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Another idea for this LCD1602: attach a laser module to the pico, set it up in a doorway, and count foot traffic. Also, with some reflective tape and a little programming, determine rpm's for a fan or even a hobby propeller, much like what you did with the weather vane. I think most might be surprised at how fast the pico can measure rotational speed. By the way, my intermittent contributions to this channel are always based on all your work, not just any one video. Thank you for working so hard to be such a great prof/instructor/teacher.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support, much appreciated. I like your project ideas. :)

[@travnewmatic]

Long time listener, first time caller, recent supporter. Your videos are a joy to watch, and an excellent source of inspiration. Currently waiting for my Pico W and some accessories (breadboard, a display like the one in this video, some jumper wires) to be delivered. I can't wait! Thank you for sharing your passion with us!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for your support. Sounds like you have some happy Pico times ahead. Enjoy! :)

[@robertofortuni6886]

Great to see you've taken into account the debouncing issue when dealing with button inputs!

[@YateyTileEditor]

I get that reference! **cough** Mr Eater **cough**

[@fjl05]

How is the debouncing issue fixed?

[@qzorn4440]

The best thing about the Raspberry Pi SBC is that they have examples that work. The RPi spin-offs are a waste of time if there are no working examples for dummies like me. 😎 Great Video as always. Thank you.

[@IdiotRace]

There's something very satisfying about your video presentation style. Reminds me of the old educational programs they used to show at school, or like tomorrows world.

[@canonwright8397]

Another delightful video. I try to tune in every Sunday because EC feels a little like attending Sunday mass, for me. If you like, have a wonderful day.☕🙂

[@jaffarbh]

The Pico is a natural twin to this display and can be used together in many real-world applications. Thank for sharing the base code Chris. Will make our lives easier when experimenting.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks. :)

[@fram1111]

Good lungs on you not to mention your brain housing group appears to be working exceptionally well. Love how you leave the projects open so others will need to use their creativity to finish a project. Plus the vast amount of recourses you provide us. Until next time keep your gears spinning. Thank you.

[@PeterJasper]

Thanks for another great video and project. It is great to revisit and expand on old projects as well.

[@josmoify]

Using one on my early rp vintage internet radio build for some years now,it never skipped a beat .

[@ZenithMusicNet]

Brings me back to our LCD school project, that a classmate and I made 23 years ago. Back then we used the pc serial port, Pascal, and a self-designed pcb board. It was so much fun!

[@grandrapids57]

The clean presentation and methods of production on this channel are paradigms

[@rickster2317]

Great Video Chris! A real walk down memory lane with the 1602 LCD display. My 1st micro project was with a PICAXE micro,and 1602, around 10 years ago. I ended up using a pin and code compatible OLED for a much better visual with no backlight, but I have used the 1602 with many projects since then. Nice to see how useful they are. Thanks for the modern adaptation of an old reliable (and inexpensive) display.

[@bobrowles43]

Thank you for the content. There seem to me endless number of channels covering Ardunio on KZbin but not many that cater to the pico. I've been working with the pico quite a bit over the last couple of years. Please continue to generating content on the pico and its applications with sensors / motors etc....

[@JohnPMiller]

I wish Amazon would sell their large, inexpensive Kindle E Ink displays for makers.

[@lesliedeana5142]

Excellent video! Thank you for adding the animation; up to your professional status, so completely simple and conveys all. I know that had to be a bit of work, and your enthusiasm comes thru!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Greetings Leslie. I hope that life is treating you well.

[@jordantheman25]

There are so many little LED, OLED, Etc displays for cheap these days, such a blessing.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Agreed!

[@ObsidianMercian]

Fantastic video Chris! You have given me some inspiration for projects to do with my children during the upcoming summer holidays.

[@Rushil69420]

I just impulse bought another Pico W at Micro Center *yesterday* and happened to find an 1602 lcd module from an old Arduino starter kit kicking around last week - this video could not have come at a better time!

[@deepstateagent5150]

I look forward to your videos every Sunday morning. Keep up the great work Chris

[@rdhunkins]

Ah, the good old 160X LCD displays. First one I got didn’t have an I2C interface. Very clunky to set up, but I managed. Then found out about I2C. So much easier! Useful little things for simple text based displays.

[@Kw1161]

Thanks Chris for this informative video. Nice to see a little love for Mr Scissors and Stanley the Knife Now my suggestion for useful project for you; Create a staging directions for your Ducks and other wildlife.. while you are filming them....:)! Your anemometer brought back bad memories while helping change them 200+ feet above the harbor in St Thomas Virgin Islands while in the US Navy back in the early eighties.....the frame seemed to unstable and rocked too much for me. Have a nice week. .

[@iandron7119]

Thanks Christopher, great video. It was nice to hear from Mr Scissors and Stanley the Knife even though they weren't needed for the unboxing.

[@danielpicassomunoz2752]

This brought me back to my highschool electonics workshops, thanks! Great content, as always!

[@ahmad-murery]

Besides reading the wind speed we can also read the temperature, the humidity, precipitation and we'll have a full weather station, we can utilize this push button to cycle through all different readings. But since I walk a lot I think I can find a way to count my steps. as always, that was a very nice project Thanks Chris!

[@DFX2KX]

there's a few different ways one could count their steps, the cheap/easy/old-school way would be to use a weight hitting a microswitch and then a similar count program. measure your stride length and get distance too. though modern pedometers (like the one inside my smartwatch) use a 6-axis Gyro/Accelerometer, which is also doable.

[@ahmad-murery]

​@@DFX2KX Since I like simplicity I think the weight with a microswitch is my way to go. Thanks!

[@bcollinsks1]

Great Content! I enjoyed this segment and look forward to playing with a few projects. Thanks for doing what you do, it is appreciated.

[@DRussell8473]

I love these project videos. Thanks for making tinkering fun!

[@AMDRADEONRUBY]

Crazy how rasp pie have many options making them versatile have a Nice week Christopher.

[@chriholt]

What fun adding that little LCD! Can't wait to see what else you come up with :)

[@zaksept]

Great video. I would love to see more projects on your channel. SBC reviews are great but the other side of the coin is actually seeing what can be done with them .

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks, and noted. :)

[@PS_Tube]

Greetings. As soon as you opened the tiny display, first thought that popped was nice display to be used in pico weather project ! And there that was at the end. Interesting video as always. 👍 Thank you.

[@anon_y_mousse]

You could probably get more accuracy from your anemometer by using a bearing for the spindle and using a smaller point at the bottom and oiling it.

[@ambigousBarrel]

When I seen the button counting bit it made me think that would be useful in a scenario where you need to count your progress, like when following a knitting patern for instance :)

[@johandeklein5253]

love to see little project using these little computers. Thanks for sharing, greetings from Missouri/USA.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Greetings from the UK. :)

[@rastan1977]

I really like your videos.your very old English and have a way about you that inspires me to drink tea and learn. I have a feeling I will be my teacher. Just remember to respond to msgs to the best of your ability and refrain from becoming a KZbin hero

[@championslayers]

I love little projects like these. I typically use 1 inch oled i2c displays for my projects. I can typically find them for less than $2 or $3 each.

[@edwardallenthree]

Wow! One of my earliest projects was building a parallel port interface for one of those LCD panels. It was to, obviously, report the song that my mp3 player was playing on the computer. This was a long time ago (around 2000 maybe a little earlier).

[@mikefinn2101]

Nice change in menu and nice to add a LCD screen for a change i like it. Love how you easily teach us students. it is fun Peter you are just KIND and Amazing so great full to you

[@dossaer]

Thank you for including Mr Scissors & Stanley - especially when companies like Waveshare are trying to put him out of a job with their resealable bags. 😅

[@maxpolaris99]

The brass screw and putty esthetic on the anemometer just blew my socks off.👍

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@perrymcclusky4695]

I’ve always been curious about those LCD modules. I thank you for the demonstration. A very impressive item. Looking forward to your next video!

[@wayland7150]

8 bit or 4 pit interface. on the standard ones. They've been around for decades. there are better displays available today.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks Perry. :)

[@volvo09]

I built a parallel display for my computer years ago, plugs into the parallel port and would display system stats, song info, whatever you wanted. It was neat to play with, I still have it in a box.

[@perrymcclusky4695]

@@wayland7150 I have a vintage Radio Shack Pocket Computer. It has a similar small LCD module. Yes, the modules have been around awhile.

[@perrymcclusky4695]

@@volvo09 Awesome project. I should try something like that.

[@pavan13]

That measuring the wind was awesome

[@stephenlewis9159]

I agree, this was most exciting. Thrilling, even. Enthused to try one out in my bionic arm.

[@Oharafolk]

Thank so much Chris, this video was very exciting!

[@paterpracticus]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you.

[@spillanemike]

Great video Chris, thanks!

[@HKey_Root]

Love these projects. Thanks.

[@srtcsb]

Very cool. Always enjoy your presentation. Thanks for another great video Chris. 😎👍

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks 👍

[@kevinshumaker3753]

Thank you Chris. I am always looking for inspiration for displaying Ham Radio data, Grid Square, Lat/Lon, Time, etc. I had a couple of other LCDs but they dies, and 3.5" screens are such a pain. I also appreciate the Waveshare products, as they have proven easy to use/support, cost effective, and very available. The PicoW and Pico W-BT are beginning to draw my attention for inexpensive, dedicated micro-controllers with no bloat, and easy programmability for Ham Radio. I'd like to see something tying an SDR to a Pico for a self-contained package. I was using PiZeros, but we all know about them...

[@koduflower2000]

Great video Chris! I really wanna buy this right now.

[@johnjohnson2540]

Your clock script gave away how long you've been working on this video :)

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@johnjohnson2540]

@@ExplainingComputers Quick question--you measured in MPH and not meters per second...is this a nod to your target audience or is this a standard when measuring wind(not sure why it would be, but for some reason only our drug dealers and military use metric in the US, so you never know who uses what).

[@ExplainingComputers]

MPH is used in all weather forecasts and reporting in the UK. We are basically metric here, but all road signs (and hence distances) remain in miles.

[@johnjohnson2540]

@@ExplainingComputers I had no idea! For some reason I thought America was the oddball country with its own way of measuring things. I had no clue that this was something we could blame on our "parents". :)

[@joeg3950]

Thank you for the video. I may have a few ideas for this type of project. Maybe a weather station, or remote screen for heating system alerts… Cheers!

[@alanthornton3530]

Thanks Chris for an interesting Sunday video. I thought of a perfect project for this on a model railway shunting layout :)

[@ExplainingComputers]

Hi Alan. Always good when there are model railway possibilities. :)

[@jerril42]

Thanks Chris. I like the single upside-down 2.2K resistor (@ 2:37). Just to drive some folks nuts. Take care.

[@jackburton8352]

Niche content is why i love this channel. Have a great day Chris.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks, you too! :)

[@anonylesss]

i think it would game better under coffee:) great video as usual

[@patrickthegoat]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. Thank you again for the inspiration! Only thing is, all these videos aren’t very good for my bank account as I keep learning about new gizmos to use in new projects 😂

[@temyraverdana6421]

A wonderful video. Thanks a lot

[@technoWZ5598]

Wow, I did not think a Raspberry Pi would be handy to make something with a basic LCD screen! This is really cool, you could make a little clock or something out of it. Nice to see some retro tech on modern day tech! Would it be possible to make a radio or something else out of this?

[@patrpatl]

Nice LCD module. If I would take that to a project, would attach those LCDs to an air conditioner. So It can basically monitor the amount of electricity used and the literal price that we would pay for. Nice LCD and nice video.

[@drowhodis556]

Been waiting for this ❤️❤️❤️

[@gloiloidn5752]

The world's best game made me smile a lot! 😂 Fantastic video!

[@montecorbit8280]

At 10:42 Most exciting game in the whole world.... I thought you were going to play Tyrian or EverQuest on it!!!! You did fail to find out the most important question though. That question is, "Can it play Crisis??" *runs off laughing*

[@CASIOTRON]

Greetings from Bucharest Romania ! Soon on your way to 1,000,000 subscribers !

[@ExplainingComputers]

Greetings! And fingers crossed for the 1M subs. :)

[@DFX2KX]

considering how little power the Pico uses, you could make a self-contained Weather Station. Temperature, wind speed and direction (few ways to do this, via microturbine or anamometer and weathervane combo), sunlight, and rain guage would all fit pretty easily and I think you could get all of those parts on a single I2C bus with some work as well. Or if you know how button matricies work, you'd be able to make an old school calculator.....

[@nutsnproud6932]

Chris, I am going to dig out my Pico and make a weather station. The modules are pretty inexpensive. I am going to look for a wind direction thingy and have the LCD displaying temperature wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity in the lounge. A great summer project!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Good luck with your project. :)

[@youdolantube]

A very enjoyable project.

[@johnsonlam]

Thanks for the code and how to connect.

[@boboften9952]

Thank you Chris

[@liontuga155]

Does it game?! Are you kidding? “Push That Button” by EC Studios is already #1 on my Steam wishlist! :-) Thank you for another great video, Chris!

[@philsbbs]

great video just ordered a screen.

[@ExplainingComputers]

You can say no more than that! :)

[@SB-qm5wg]

I enjoyed that. TY

[@brucehanson4147]

Thank you Chris, been looking for a simple, economical way to display measured parameters or what step of a program was in on a PICO. Just an update on the display you used, the current version from them uses a RGB LED back light so you can make it any color you wish...but you do have to add code for that too.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for this. The version of the display I used is still sold -- as well as the RGB version. :)

[@ronaldmarshall5845]

Great Video Chris! I think I will make one of those with my Grand Daugther! Would Love to see the screen used with a pi zero, pi 3, or pi 4!

[@TerraMagnus]

I enjoy watching your videos. I’m most interested in the SBC reviews. It would be really interesting to see cool projects with these boards, perhaps as a series. It would be really neat to partner with other channels that are way outside your wheelhouse. So like how about using an SBC as a controller board for a vintage motorbike project with a channel that builds bikes? Using an SBC to control a very novel set of lights for the bike to keep it safe and visible on the roadways. You mentioned maybe looking at ESP32. You could make content for months easily just scratching the surface with how these things are used. Especially if you start seeing it through with home automation use cases.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for this. There are indeed many microcontroller and SBC project video possibilities. But I earn my living running this channel, so what is most critical is what the viewers want to watch. And sadly this kind of content does not pay my bills. Today I posted an Arduino video -- my first! But again, not that popular (so far). But I will always return to such content when I can. :)

[@richards7909]

I was hoping for a game of rock, paper, Mr Scissors! Excellent video, enjoyed it :)

[@ExplainingComputers]

Classic.

[@marklucas8110]

Chris, you just need a sensor to measure moss density and get a pi controlled rover called 'Rolling Stone' to sort it out 😉 Great video as usual!

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@TheSillyshyguy]

love it!

[@Bianchi77]

Nice video, well done, thanks for sharing it with us :)

[@abdouabdou1089]

Thanks that's was very informative

[@Colin_Ames]

Great video, as always. I need to check and see if the display I bought but never used is in fact I2C. EDIT: I checked, and it has a daughter board to handle I2C. I will buy a Pico and have some fun.

[@massimo79mmm]

very useful, i'm searching an idea for using an ESP32, this could be a good idea

[@caseykreicar]

love these :)

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Thank you, that was fun.

[@aliasname5518]

very nice, thanks

[@CCoburn3]

Hello Stanley & Mr. Scissors. Chris, I don't know how you managed to publish this video. I'm surprised you aren't so addicted to the game that you can get anything done. You need to watch out -- some people get so addicted to computer games that they even forget to eat.

[@wayland7150]

Those little electricity meters the energy companies supply work by sending a radio pulse for every 1wh used. The battery on those lasts for months. The same principle could work with an anemometer. Each time the mill turns it would send a radio pulse instead over wires.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I like this thinking! :)

[@plutarcocriterion754]

Gracias muchas gracias gran clase

[@leetucker9938]

I love this channel nearly as much as I love Linux Mate 🙂

[@tonywalker2372]

Brilliant! Thankyou.

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@papaalphaoscar5537]

Any one else remember Gary Gnu when Christopher does the outro? 🙂

[@therealdebater]

My friend, who's able to tell me about events in the future, told me that in three months' time from now there's this guy called Christopher Barnatt who becomes a multi-billionaire from marketing a game called 'Angry Buttons'. Apparently, the appeal was in the simplicity. :-)

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@mangethegamer]

Raspberry Pi Pico is amazing. So much easier to work with than aurdino while being much more competent.

[@rv6amark]

",,,give my anemometer another whirl." I love the humor! 😁

[@MrJHDK]

Snake? Snake! Snaaaaaaake!!!! Oh well, a timing game works just as well. 😊

[@Remigrator]

You are my favorite SBC 🤗

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks. ;)

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

I second that sentiment!

[@PatrickConstant]

One more time, I excellent video. For the "most exciting game probably in the whole world" I'm not sure but for crazy ideas I'm impatient. When I'll be back home, I will try to translate your project on Attiny 85. See you soon.