LCD outputs JAPANESE Katakana characters instead of alphanumeric?

Question

Trying to output a simple string of data "ABCD" using my arduino uno and a LCD you can view in the datasheet link below. My LCD is outputting Japanese characters instead of the string I specify. I've tried several ways in troubleshooting this but haven't yet found a fix. It's clear when you look at the character chart in the datasheet that it's getting the upper bit wrong. Any ideas on what I can try doing.

Here is the link to the data sheet for my LCD.

Here is the code:

// include the library code:
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12,11,5,4,3,2);

void setup() {
  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
  lcd.begin(20, 4);
}

void loop() {
  // set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  // (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0):
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  // print the number of seconds since reset:
  lcd.print("ABCD");
}

Below is a picture of what it is displaying. Again, it should be printing out ABCD.

The character numbers are 193, 194, 195, 204. Not sure about the 204 - should have been 196 ('D' + 128) — cup
i've typed in lcd.print((char)193) and it prints out that related character. How do I troubleshoot from here? — Shane Yost
i've typed in lcd.print((char)300) and it displays a comma. On the ASCII chart a comma is decimal 44. I guess i'm still not understanding how I need to fix this. — Shane Yost
Decimal 300 is nine bits. When that (ignored) top bit is chopped off, you're left with decimal 44. — Michael Petrotta
Do you want to print the number 300 or the character A. For A use lcd.print((char) 0x41) — cup

Emilien Emilien · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-02T16:38:48

According to the datasheets and your description of the problem, the left-most bit of the "Upper 4 bits" is always set to one. Thus you should check the wirings (I'm not sure which pin but I would check for instance that DB0 is not always stuck to Vdd)

LCD outputs JAPANESE Katakana characters instead of alphanumeric?

1 Answers