Marlin & Ramps 1.4

Software / Firmware
1

Hi there,

I may have a stupid question about changing the Configuration.h for the Display which chan be connected to the RAMPS.

My overall config is running fine and I have a spare display.
It is that LCD Graphic Smart Display Screen Controller Module. 2 Lines of display characters.

It is luminated but nothing will be displayed.
I learned the other day, that I must change the Configuration.h and uncomment some lines.
Like that one below.

// RepRapDiscount Smart Controller.
// RepRapDiscount Smart Controller - RepRap
//
// Note: Usually sold with a white PCB.
//
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

After hitting the Upload button on the arduino IDE, the compiling porcess starts but nothing changes in the behaviour of the dicplay.

My question is now, do I need to tell the compiler that I have changes the .h file? USually not, because that would be the first compiler in 30 years of software development I am doing where this would be the case.
Or do I adapt something in the makefile?

So where can I search?

Any answers are welcome!

Cheers
Uwe

2

It is quite aggressive at finding the changes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it not do a complete build every time. So no, no changes needed to the makefile.

Did you disable the other lcd?

Were there errors in the console?

Did you upload it as well as compile it?

3

Hi there,

there where no errors in the console.
I copied the outpout in Notepad ++ and checked that already upfront.

As far as I can see, no other LCD is enabeled.
Or is there a “default” LCD which must be enabled?

The upload question is interesting.
If I do a change, and press the “upload” button in the IDE, as far as I know, there is the compliling process and then the whatsoever comiled stuff will be uploaded automatically.

Where can I see the new “EXE” file in the filesystem.
Maybe I can check if there is a actual version.

Cheers
Uwe

4

Are you sure it is wired correctly? Sometimes they are keyed backwards. There are 4 ways to plug it in. Rotated, swapped, rotated and swapped, or none.

The firmware.hex is listed in the output, but it doesn’t change versions.

5

You also need to comment out the SHOW_CUSTOM_BOOTSCREEN option…

6

It is like this

// Show the Marlin bootscreen on startup. ** ENABLE FOR PRODUCTION **
#define SHOW_BOOTSCREEN

// Show the bitmap in Marlin/_Bootscreen.h on startup.
#define SHOW_CUSTOM_BOOTSCREEN

// Show the bitmap in Marlin/_Statusscreen.h on the status screen.
//#define CUSTOM_STATUS_SCREEN_IMAGE

7

The cabels have notches at each end.
So fortunately there are only two possibilities by switching the cables.
I switched them, with the effect that in one of the two positions, the LCD has no power.

8

OK Guy’s

here’s the story.

The error is as always between the keyboard and the wall.

If you are using a LCD screen which is character based, you must switch on

//
// RepRapDiscount Smart Controller.
// RepRapDiscount Smart Controller - RepRap
//
// Note: Usually sold with a white PCB.
//
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

In addition, you have to switch off

// RepRapDiscount FULL GRAPHIC Smart Controller
// RepRapDiscount Full Graphic Smart Controller - RepRap
//
//#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_FULL_GRAPHIC_SMART_CONTROLLER

and

// Show the bitmap in Marlin/_Statusscreen.h on the status screen.
//#define CUSTOM_STATUS_SCREEN_IMAGE

In the current built, it seems that the full graphics controller is the default one and the older 4 line not so full graphics LCD is disabeled.

Thanx for helping me out with your suggestions!

Cheers
Uwe

1 Like
9

When I built my MPCNC I started off with the 4by20 display as I had 1 lying around and I have it on my old 3d printer so I know it works very well.

The changes has to be made as you found out (I think I wrote about it earlier) but I also changed display to the full graphic one so all was reverted.