I2C / SPI Character LCD Backpack - STEMMA QT / Qwiic

Character LCDs are a fun and easy way for your microcontroller project to communicate with you. This LCD backpack reduces the number of pins needed to control the LCD by using I2C or SPI expanders, making it simpler and more efficient to interface with your display.

Features of this backpack include:

• Supports standard character LCDs from 8x1 to 20x4 with a 16-pin connection header
• Uses only 2 pins for I2C and 3 pins for SPI communication
• Pre-soldered 2-pin and 3-pin terminal blocks to make a 5-pin terminal for easy wiring
• 3-5V boost circuit allows control of 5V LCDs with 3V power and logic
• Enhanced contrast potentiometer for easier adjustment
• STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors for solderless I2C and power connection
• Backpack updated with Adafruit Pinguin silkscreen for clear labeling
• Compatible libraries provided for Arduino and CircuitPython, backward compatible with 6-pin wiring projects

This backpack does not support controlling RGB backlights on RGB LCDs, which require additional wiring for backlight control.

The backpack can also be repurposed for general-purpose I/O expansion using the MCP23008 chip's 8 I/O pins or the SPI 74HC595 outputs.

For full tutorials, wiring diagrams, and libraries, please visit the product guide.