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Nextion Display

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Wotever edited this page Mar 4, 2019 · 40 revisions

WARNING !

Unfair sellers sells a chenese version of the nextion, these are branded TJCxxxxx, they are not supported by the nextion editor and would be useless with SimHub, make sure to buy a real nextion (model starting with NXxxxx)

5" and more nextion sizes are not advised due to average performance

4.3 or 2.8 nextion have bundled templates other sizes will work but will require custom template design.

Introduction

Nextion is a standalone serial screen. Design is rendered by the screen itself. Despite some performances limitations of the screen due to it's internal MCU, it's still a good alternative for lightweight dash as it can be embedded easily in a wheel with only a single usb port.

Designs are specific to the nextion, take care not to confuse with DashStudio dashs (which are compatible with computer/phones or USBD480)

Wiring nextion display

Parts needed :

  • Nextion display (4.3 or 2.8),
  • Wires
  • Usb TTL

Connect USB TTL following these wirings

GND => GND
5V => 5V
RX => TX
TX => RX

Warning ! Trap inside ! Take care, TX goes to RX

Always make sure Simhub is closed before uploading.

Wiring nextion through an Arduino Micro

MICRO => Nextion
GND   =>   GND
VCC   =>   5V
RX1   =>   TX
TX0   =>   RX

In order to draw enough power from the arduino micro (for the 4.3 and more nextion screens) you may have to solder the J1 jumper of the arduino :

Uploading Arduino Micro sketch

Upload the sketch found in C:\Program Files (x86)\SimHub\_Addons\NextionMicroBridge It offers the structure to add gamepad support, please note that it's just a sample with a single button and you must add your own logic.

In order to compile the sketch please use the arduino IDE in C:\Program Files (x86)\SimHub\\_Addons\Arduino\ArduinoIDE\arduino-1.6.13 it contains all the required libraries

Optionnal : enabling led support

WS2812b leds can be added to the arduino micro

WS2812b Leds wiring

Aduino Micro => Leds
GND => GND
5V or VCC => 5V or VIN
D6 or 6 => DIN

LEDS have a direction ! Do not mix uy DI/DIN with DO/DOUT ! DO/DOUT can be used to cascade another strand

Sketch configuration

In order to enable leds you have to configure the sketch in the Aduino IDE :

  • Before (leds disabled):
// ----- LEDS ---------
// Uncomment to enable leds
// #define INCLUDE_WS2812B 
// How many leds
#define WS2812B_RGBLEDCOUNT 8
// Data pin
#define WS2812B_DATAPIN 6
// 0 left to right, 1 right to left
#define WS2812B_RIGHTTOLEFT 1
  • After (leds enabled), change WS2812B_RGBLEDCOUNT according to how many leds are plugged
// ----- LEDS ---------
// Uncomment to enable leds
#define INCLUDE_WS2812B 
// How many leds
#define WS2812B_RGBLEDCOUNT 8
// Data pin
#define WS2812B_DATAPIN 6
// 0 left to right, 1 right to left
#define WS2812B_RIGHTTOLEFT 1

Enabling leds into simhub :

The leds can be configured in Arduino/Leds

Uploading Nextion template through arduino Micro

Before any upload make sure SimHub is not running !

Upload to nextion will not work using the Itead nextion editor but Simhub offers an alternative uploader.

  • Build your template using the editor using the "compile" button :

  • Open build folder :

  • double click on your template file :

  • Choose your arduino serial port and click on upload, you're ready !

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