Multiple LCD's Single Arduino?

[SageOT]

Hey guys.

 

Still just putzing around slowly trying to learn all this stuff before I delve into my F/A-18C pit build full tilt.

 

On the 18C UFC there are 6 separate LCD readouts. Can a single Arduino "talk" to five separate screens or do I need to plan on trying to wedge in a single large screen and make 6 different cut-outs?

 

Thanks,

 

Sage

 

On a different note: The makerspace I am now part of is getting a new laser cuter with a 50-60" bed with infinite pass through so in theory I can cut all my cockpit parts out of it from 4x8' MDF and all my panels from large acrylic sheets. What's the recommendation from you all for the -cheapest- design software? I have an amazing sketchup file provided free by Klu on hornetpits.org to begin to work from but I hear Sketchup may not be the best for this stuff. I'm re-starting my masters so I will be a "student" for the stuff that has educational prices. :)

Edited March 4, 2016 by SageOT

[FSFIan]

I assume you mean those 16x2 or 20x2 character LCDs with a HD44780 compatible controller. Yes, you can connect several of those to the same Arduino. If memory serves, you need five wires that are shared between all displays plus one "enable" line per display.

 

And even if you notice later on that it can't handle that many for whatever reason, throwing another $3 Arduino clone at the problem is probably easier and cheaper than going with a single large display.

[SageOT]

Thanks Ian,

 

That's exactly what I was talking about.

 

Sage