New Slim/cost reduced SD HxC Floppy Emulator !

[Jeff]

More than words :






Sale point :
http://lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=114

[Spede]

Very good and useful board but wanted to add some feedback.

On gaming usage (for example Amiga) found annoying that display and 2 buttons are missing - sometimes selecting images with this board is lottery. Another point is that disk drive sound is too high pitched.

[Jeff]

Very good and useful board but wanted to add some feedback.

On gaming usage (for example Amiga) found annoying that display and 2 buttons are missing - sometimes selecting images with this board is lottery. Another point is that disk drive sound is too high pitched.

About the LCD : There is a new firmware supporting external I2C screen :

SlimLCD.jpg (98.65 KiB) Viewed 36045 times

You can get this kind of LCD kit for few $ or Euros on ebay :


There are based on a simple I2C IO expander (PCF8574).

Only 4 wires is needed to connect these screen to the Slim HxC.

About the sound : You can change the volume into the settings.

[Spede]

Ok. Ordered display module but just need to find out where to get those wires.

Volume is ok but sound is too high pitched .

[Jeff]

Ok. Ordered display module but just need to find out where to get those wires.

Volume is ok but sound is too high pitched .

mhh wait, i have just changed for another screen module, more widely available than this one. the pinout between the lcd and the pcf8574 is different.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IIC-I2C-TWI-SP- ... 484f235c20

[Spede]

Ok - ordered 2nd module but I assume that display was good.

So pinout should be clear? Connect wires with same "text" on the board? I don't want to burn the board nor display.

[Audronic]

Hi Jeff - All

Is there a link to the technical details to add the Display.

Thanks

Ray

[Jeff]

Hi,

The new firmware supporting these external I2C LCD screen is now ready !

You have just to update the Slim HxC Floppy Emulator with this firmware :
https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... rmware.zip

These kind of I2C LCD board is compatible with the firmware :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IIC-I2C-TWI-SP- ... 484f235c20
(board only - without the LCD)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IIC-I2C-TWI-SPI ... 258afcd8e4
(board only - without the LCD)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Blue-IIC-I2 ... 338ed80545
(board + LCD)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IIC-I2C-TWI-SP- ... 484f1ed4cd
(board + LCD)

Any I2C address is supported : The firmware scan automatically the I2C bus at power up (0x20-0x27 and 0x38-0x3F address range scanned)
So there is no specific requirement about the I2C address setting.

To connect the I2C LCD, just follow the Slim HxC Floppy Emulator J3 pinout :

SlimHxCFE_I2C.jpg (85.86 KiB) Viewed 35970 times

Only 4 wires is needed : SDA,SCL,GND and +5V.
After this, the LCD is ready

If you want to build the I2C board yourself, here is the schematic:

ExtSlimHxCFE_I2CLCD.jpg (65.05 KiB) Viewed 35970 times

https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_driv ... ematic.pdf

Have Fun !
(Next update planned : Additionnals buttons support )

SlimHxCFE_I2CLCD.jpg (126.79 KiB) Viewed 35970 times

[Audronic]

@ Jeff

Thanks for the Update, i have ordered the parts.

"" (Next update planned : Additionnals buttons support) ""
I will be looking foreward to the Buttons update.

Thanks

Ray

[kreutz]

Jeff;
Any news on additional buttons for the slim board's update?
Thanks,
kreutz

[Jeff]

Jeff;
Any news on additional buttons for the slim board's update?
Thanks,
kreutz

Is there someone who have tried the I2C LCD ? I got no feedback at all...

[rikbliz]

Hi Jeff

I have one of these in the post from eBay - I2C Arduino LCD 1602 16x2 Character LCD Module Blue Backlight - which should work fine I hope.

I also have a Noritake Itron VFD part #CU16025-UW6J which is supposed to be a drop in replacement for 1602 LCDs. I managed to get the VFD for free so whilst I really hope it works, it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't. It has the same pinout as the usual 1602 LCDs above so I will use one of those generic LCD to I2C backpacks from eBay with it.

I'll update on this thread in approx 10 days once I have had time to test.

Cheers

[rikbliz]

Me again. So it worked great. Updated my Slim to the firmware Jeff linked to above, and then the LCD started working! Photo of my blue LCD working below (model is linked in my post above). This was just to test really as the LCD was only $5 off eBay, my a1200 will have a Noritake VFD built in to the case. Thanks Jeff.

[rikbliz]

Is there any limitation on the current draw on the +5v pin on the I2C header on the Slim , or is it just directly connected to the incoming +5V PSU power ? My VFD requires 200mA power, average LCD is only 50-100mA.

[Jeff]

Is there any limitation on the current draw on the +5v pin on the I2C header on the Slim , or is it just directly connected to the incoming +5V PSU power ? My VFD requires 200mA power, average LCD is only 50-100mA.

This is the +5V PSU power but there is some protection between. Anyway at 200mA i don't see any issue possible.

BTW thanks for the feedback