Unfortunately I don't think that is possible, or at least not with the standard extensions. To turn the cursor on and off involves sending a special code signal to the LCD display. Unfortunately the library used in MakeCode does not have an option for sending that code. You could most likely turn the cursor on and off by using Circuit Python on the microbit, but not makecode.
@@The3DTechGuy Which is one of the problems with AI. It doesn't actually understand but just puts together what statistically looks right. Sometimes AI can come up with code that works, but often it doesn't. It's possible someone has created a makecode extension that does include that, but I suspect it's just AI getting it wrong.
I have a web page which links to some of the suppliers that I use www.penguintutor.com/electronics/links-suppliers These are mainly UK suppliers, but many also sell internationally or have websites for other regions. I also find the marketplace sites to be a good source of components, such as Ebay and Amazon.
You can use a smaller breadboard, or even wire directly between the Micro:Bit and the display. The example shown is a typical breadboard which is included in the "Kitronik Prototyping System for the BBC micro:bit" which I found useful as it includes both the breakout for the micro:bit and a breadboard.
The LCD1602 is designed for just a single font which is shown as 16 characters by 2 rows. If you want a larger font then you would need to generate the characters by updating the relevant pixels to make it double height.
@@jihansous8893 You'd probably have to create your own library to talk to the hardware. Here's an example of where someone has done that - but this is programmed in C on an Arduino and is much more difficult than using the standard libraries: www.instructables.com/Custom-Large-Font-For-16x2-LCDs/
Yes The following is a good way of creating circuits for the microbit as it includes a breakout as well as prototyping area. kitronik.co.uk/products/5634-create-proto-board?_pos=1&_sid=256658e17&_ss=r
@@sidr7493 If you want to power the Micro:Bit from a breakout board then you can connect power to the 3V Gnd power connections. This would need to be a regulated 3V power supply (as it does not go through the voltage regulator). You cannot use power from a USB power supply to those pins as that will be 5V instead of 3V. My breakout boards are Kitronic edge connector boards and on those they are marked as 3V and 0V on pins 18 (3V) and 19 & 20 (Gnd 0V). Alternatively you can power the micro:bit from the USB / battery connections on the USB and then use the 3V Gnd pins as a power source for your own projects (as long as they don't need too much power). I used a separate USB connector for the LCD display in this example as the LCD needs 5V and not 3V which is used internally in the Micro:Bit.
well my kid tried some of this in school, site was not working extensions you can get maybe half would work. my daughter said even though its, blocks like "lego" and should be easy. you still need to know to much technical stuff, so it is not made easy. she said even the teacher struggled with it, and barely made it work. we watched this together, for me not knowing about the coding and all that, but i do see what she means. it is not made easy.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately that is the problem with some of the extensions. There are several extensions that don't work or have bugs within them. There are also some subtle differences between hardware that is available. The most reliable solution is to buy a hardware bundle that is known to work with a specif extension, but even then updates to the hardware or code can cause problems after the bundle is released. I have been caught out by that in the past and find I sometimes need to retest and/or revise instructions prior to any workshops I run.
I just picked up the keyestudio 37 in 1 that has the 1602 LCD and comes with a breakout board. There were dip pins that needed to be put on 5 v. When powered with the battery pack (9v) the LCD works great, and very bright. It has the 1602c extension on the keyestudio website.
Thanks for this. the Makerbit extension for the 1602LCD works far better than the 1602LCD extension found in MakeCode
penguin tutor can you plssss show how to activate the cursor on the lcd pls (with makecode)
Unfortunately I don't think that is possible, or at least not with the standard extensions.
To turn the cursor on and off involves sending a special code signal to the LCD display. Unfortunately the library used in MakeCode does not have an option for sending that code.
You could most likely turn the cursor on and off by using Circuit Python on the microbit, but not makecode.
Bruh 💀 but AI says its true on makecode
IT Made a Code that really Said ShowCursor(true) Like fr😭
@@The3DTechGuy Which is one of the problems with AI. It doesn't actually understand but just puts together what statistically looks right.
Sometimes AI can come up with code that works, but often it doesn't.
It's possible someone has created a makecode extension that does include that, but I suspect it's just AI getting it wrong.
Where can I get some of these components, and is there anyway I can have a smaller breadboard?
I have a web page which links to some of the suppliers that I use www.penguintutor.com/electronics/links-suppliers These are mainly UK suppliers, but many also sell internationally or have websites for other regions.
I also find the marketplace sites to be a good source of components, such as Ebay and Amazon.
You can use a smaller breadboard, or even wire directly between the Micro:Bit and the display.
The example shown is a typical breadboard which is included in the "Kitronik Prototyping System for the BBC micro:bit" which I found useful as it includes both the breakout for the micro:bit and a breadboard.
My backlight is too low, how can I increase it so that it can be read?
There is normally a variable resistor on the back of the display. Use a small screwdriver to adjust the contrast.
How I can change the font size
The LCD1602 is designed for just a single font which is shown as 16 characters by 2 rows.
If you want a larger font then you would need to generate the characters by updating the relevant pixels to make it double height.
@@PenguinTutor thank you
How i can update the relevant pixles
@@jihansous8893 You'd probably have to create your own library to talk to the hardware.
Here's an example of where someone has done that - but this is programmed in C on an Arduino and is much more difficult than using the standard libraries:
www.instructables.com/Custom-Large-Font-For-16x2-LCDs/
can you use a perf board instead of a breadboard??
Yes
The following is a good way of creating circuits for the microbit as it includes a breakout as well as prototyping area.
kitronik.co.uk/products/5634-create-proto-board?_pos=1&_sid=256658e17&_ss=r
@@PenguinTutor How do i attach the power supply to this board? I have the one given with the microbit.
@@sidr7493 If you want to power the Micro:Bit from a breakout board then you can connect power to the 3V Gnd power connections. This would need to be a regulated 3V power supply (as it does not go through the voltage regulator). You cannot use power from a USB power supply to those pins as that will be 5V instead of 3V.
My breakout boards are Kitronic edge connector boards and on those they are marked as 3V and 0V on pins 18 (3V) and 19 & 20 (Gnd 0V).
Alternatively you can power the micro:bit from the USB / battery connections on the USB and then use the 3V Gnd pins as a power source for your own projects (as long as they don't need too much power). I used a separate USB connector for the LCD display in this example as the LCD needs 5V and not 3V which is used internally in the Micro:Bit.
well my kid tried some of this in school, site was not working extensions you can get maybe half would work. my daughter said even though its, blocks like "lego" and should be easy. you still need to know to much technical stuff, so it is not made easy. she said even the teacher struggled with it, and barely made it work.
we watched this together, for me not knowing about the coding and all that, but i do see what she means. it is not made easy.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience.
Unfortunately that is the problem with some of the extensions. There are several extensions that don't work or have bugs within them. There are also some subtle differences between hardware that is available.
The most reliable solution is to buy a hardware bundle that is known to work with a specif extension, but even then updates to the hardware or code can cause problems after the bundle is released.
I have been caught out by that in the past and find I sometimes need to retest and/or revise instructions prior to any workshops I run.
@@PenguinTutor just thought it was a shame it seemed so half finished. it should be fun to work with not frustrating
I just picked up the keyestudio 37 in 1 that has the 1602 LCD and comes with a breakout board. There were dip pins that needed to be put on 5 v. When powered with the battery pack (9v) the LCD works great, and very bright. It has the 1602c extension on the keyestudio website.
hi