DMR / Nextion to Jumbo
Spot Notes N3ENM
revised 7-23-2018 - 8-03-2018
To install the Nextion display on the
Jumbo Spot you need to do several things. Only a bit of
soldering is needed and the configuration of the Nextion display is
done with free tools. The information below was gathered from a number of sources and personal experimentation - these links may be of value to you http://wiki.pistar.uk/Nextion_Screen_install_on_Pi-Star https://github.com/g4klx/MMDVMHost/tree/master/Nextion_ON7LDS
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First, add a 4 pin header to the pins
shown here on the Jumbo Spot hat that sits atop the Pi Zero
The Nextion comes with a 4 pin cable. It is attached as shown here - the red wire goes to 5v then blue, yellow,& black to ground. .
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Once the display is connected it has to be
programmed by adding a file to its memory. There are two ways to get
the file into the display. One involves using the Nextion editor. This is the method that should be used if you plan on editing the file. If you just want to get the job done using a microSD card to program the display is easier. Which file do you use?The files that are available on the github page ( https://github.com/g4klx/MMDVMHost/tree/master/Nextion_ON7LDS ) are shown here. The file to use depends on two things. If you are using the Nextion editor to program the display use one of the files that ends with HMI. If you are using the microSD card method of installing the file use one of the files that ends in TFT.
The specific file depends on the size of your display. Here are the labels from two of the displays I have used. The top one is for a 3.5" display and the one on the bottom from a 2.4" display. Note the last two digits that indicate the display size. Choose the file name from GitHub that has the same name.
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Using the Nextion Editor The first way to configure the display is to download and run the Nextion Editor - it is available here: https://nextion.itead.cc/resources/download/nextion-editor/ I used version 0.53 Load one of the files from this link https://github.com/g4klx/MMDVMHost/tree/master/Nextion_ON7LDS I used NX4832T035-L3.HMI as I had a 3.5" display - there are other files for 3.2", 2.8" and 2.4" displays. Once the file is loaded you need to hook the display up to your PC via a Serial to USB converter ( I used this one but others should work) To create and install this file follow these steps:
Additional information is here https://nextion.itead.cc/faq-items/using-nextion-microsd/
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Using a microSD Card There is a receptacle on the back of the Nextion display that will accept a microSD card. To install the configuration file from a microSD card follows these steps:
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Pi-Star Settings This screen shot shows the settings I used in Pi-Star under Configuration
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Enclosures
- laser cut box - these six pieces assemble to make a box for the 3.2" display. The only thing that is NOT cut is a hole for the USB power connection - that can be done manually or I may redo the box to include such an opening - some photos follow these images laser cut sandwich - this pair of boards pinch the display between them to protect the display. This arrangement is used on my bicycle-mobile unit - the Jumbo Spot attaches to the back of the board with two cable ties (those holes were cut manually) - photos after these images
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